Coconut Protein Balls

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Coconut Protein Balls are easy, little nutritious energy snacks that I like to make for my family. My grandchildren enjoy helping with them. With only six whole-food ingredients (no protein powder) and no baking or chilling required, they're ready to eat in minutes!

rows of golden balls coated in flaked coconut sitting on a black plate in front of lavender napkin

This recipe works for vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free diets. There's no refined sugar, and it provides healthy fats and fibre. Take protein balls with you to enjoy on the road or grab them for a post-workout snack.

These energy bites are similar to my popular Lemon Coconut Chia Balls, Healthy Apricot Balls, and the Peanut Butter Energy Balls with Chocolate Chips.

Ingredients

Coconut: Unsweetened, flaked coconut works best. If you don't have flaked coconut, a finer coconut will work.
Quick oats: gluten-free, if necessary
Hemp hearts: also called hemp seeds, are an excellent source of plant protein, omegas 3 and 6, and amino acids
Pineapple juice: I use pure, unsweetened juice from a can.
Dates: The stickiness of soft, Medjool dates helps these little guys hold together.
Pure maple syrup: a natural sweetener with antioxidants.

See the recipe card below for quantities.

Coconut Protein Ball Instructions

dry, crumbly mixture of oats, hemp, and coconut, with little bits of chopped date showing here and there in bowl of food processor

Pulse oats and dates together in a food processor until the dates have been chopped into small pieces.

moist dough starting to ball up in bowl of food processor

Add the remaining ingredients, pulsing at first to make sure everything is evenly combined. Then process the mixture until it starts to ball up and come away from the sides of the bowl.

ball pressed together in palm of hand with flaked coconut on plate below

Using wet hands, press the dough into about 24 little balls.

coconut ball is rolled by fingers in flaked coconut scattered on black plate

Roll each ball in some extra coconut to finish.

Top tip

Using wet hands and squeezing the dough well will help your energy bites to hold together nicely.

banner with blueberry muffins to the left and text in remaining white space

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Nice-to-have Equipment

I often use my food processor, even in my tiny motorhome kitchen. My Cuisinart machine is a good middle-of-the-road workhorse for the cost and quality.

FAQ's

Can I make protein balls without a food processor?

If you don't have a food processor, don't despair! You can still make Coconut Protein Balls! It will just be a little more work.
Chop the dates finely. Whisk the oats, hemp hearts, and coconut together. Then stir in the pineapple juice and maple syrup. It will be a stiff, sticky mixture, but you can work it with your hands.

Are protein balls good for you?

Protein balls that are not high in sugar can be a very healthful snack. Good ones will give you a healthy dose of good fats, fibre, and vitamins. These energy bites can be a very handy on-the-go snack.

Do protein balls give you energy?

With their good fats and protein, protein balls give you a good boost of energy. They're great to reach for before or after a workout, or perhaps when you're feeling a mid-afternoon slump.

looking down on a round black plate filled with rows of coconut-coated protein balls

Storage

You can keep protein balls for several days in the refrigerator if they're kept in a well-sealed container.

I think yours will disappear quickly. If not, move some to the freezer for up to a month or two.

Food safety

Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods. These don't have preservatives in them.

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