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!
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.
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Ingredients
- 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.
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.
Using wet hands, press the dough into about 24 little balls.
Roll each ball in some extra coconut to finish.
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
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.
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.
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.
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Top tip
Using wet hands and squeezing the dough well will help your energy bites to hold together nicely.
Recipe
Coconut Protein Balls
Equipment
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
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
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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