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    Home » Recipes by Course » Cookies and Snacks

    Published: Jul 29, 2021 · Modified: Jul 27, 2021 by Cathy · This post may contain affiliate links

    Home » Recipes by Course » Cookies and Snacks

    Coconut Protein Balls Recipe

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    Jump to Recipe

    Coconut Protein Balls are easy little powerhouses to make for nutritious energy snacks. With only six ingredients and no baking or chilling required, they'll be 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.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Equipment
    • FAQ's
    • Storage
    • Top tip
    • Recipe
    • Food safety

    Ingredients

    ingredients for coconut protein balls in individual bowls with labels
    • coconut - unsweetened, flaked works best
    • quick oats - gluten free, if necessary
    • hemp hearts - an excellent source of plant protein, omegas 3 and 6, amino acids
    • pineapple juice - use pure, unsweetened juice
    • dates - soft, Medjool dates help these little guys hold together
    • pure maple syrup - a natural sweetener with antioxidants

    See the recipe card below for quantities.

    Instructions

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

    dry, crumbly mixture of oats, hemp, and coconut, with little bits of chopped date showing here and there 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.

    moist dough starting to ball up in bowl of food processor

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

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

    Roll each ball in some extra coconut to finish.

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

    Substitutions

    • Coconut - if you don't have flaked coconut, a finer coconut will work

    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 cost and quality.

    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.

    FAQ's

    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.

    Top tip

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

    Recipe

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

    Coconut Protein Balls

    These allergy-friendly protein balls require no baking or chilling before they're ready to be eaten! Free from gluten and nuts, they're also suitable for vegan diets.
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Total Time 10 minutes
    Servings 24 balls
    Calories 115kcal
    Author Cathy

    Equipment

    • food processor

    Ingredients

    • 1½ cup quick oatmeal
    • 3 soft Medjool dates pitted
    • 6 tablespoons pineapple juice
    • 1 cup hemp hearts
    • 1 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
    • ¼ cup unsweetened flaked coconut for rolling
    • 4 tablespoons pure maple syrup
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Pulse oats and dates together in a food processor until the dates have been chopped into small pieces.
    • Add remaining ingredients. Pulsing at first to make sure everything is evenly combined, process the mixture until it starts to ball up and come away from the sides of the bowl.
    • Using wet hands, press the dough into approximately 1-inch (2.54 cm) balls. Roll each ball in extra coconut, and enjoy!

    Notes

    • Store leftover Coconut Protein Balls, covered, in the refrigerator.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1ball | Calories: 115kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 70mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 48IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 2mg
    Save this recipe to make again.@CathysGlutenFree

    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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