This post may contain affiliate links.

My wildest dreams are coming true because, thanks to these Cookie Dough Protein Balls dessert is now a health food! These grain-free no bake protein balls are easy to make and an ideal energy boost.

a bowl of no bake protein balls

Clean-eating approved, low carb, and protein-packed, these healthy energy bites taste like chocolate chip cookie dough but are made entirely from wholesome, good-for-you ingredients.

For those looking for protein balls without oats, this recipe is the best option.

They’re based on my favorite peanut butter Protein Balls recipe, but are made with fiber and protein-rich coconut flour instead of oats.

They’re everything you could ask for in a healthy snack:

  • Quick and Easy. We’re talking one bowl, no baking. Like my reader favorite Energy Balls recipe, you don’t need to use a food processor.
  • Low in Sugar. Just 1 ½ tablespoons of honey is all you need to sweeten these protein balls, so they are good for you and will help you avoid energy crashes.
  • High Protein. These pack 7+ grams of protein per ball, which is impressive for a from-scratch recipe. One or two of these keeps me full.
  • TOTALLY DELISH. Did I mention that they taste like chocolate chip cookie dough?
a bowl of chocolate chip protein balls

5 Star Review

“Made this yesterday and it was absolutely delicious. I will definitely be making these again very soon.”

— Max —

How to Make High Protein Balls

Not all protein balls or energy balls are good for you. Many recipes are so sugar packed, they are better enjoyed for dessert.

Further, if energy balls are low in fiber or protein, they’ll often hide a large number of calories, without actually filling you up.

With all of my energy ball and energy bar recipes, I keep the added sugars to a minimum, use natural ingredients, and pack in as much protein and fiber as possible. These protein balls are no exception!


almond butter, honey, chocolate chips, and protein powder, and almond milk for making protein balls

The Ingredients

  • Vanilla Protein Powder. Protein powder is not just for serious weightlifters or that guy at the gym whose t-shirt is too tight. I regularly add protein powder to my smoothies and no bake recipes like this one to make them more satisfying and ensure my body has the fuel it needs. You do not need to worry that it will make you bulk up, trust me!

Substitution Tip!

  • I most often use whey protein powder (this is the vanilla one I buy). If you’d like these protein balls vegan, you can swap your favorite plant-based protein powder (my sister loves this one).
  • Vanilla protein balls are not the only option! You can use chocolate protein powder to make chocolate protein balls or swap in another flavor you enjoy. Chocolate fans, be sure to check out these Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls.
  • Coconut Flour. This once-trendy ingredient is now mainstream. Coconut flour can be used instead of oats in protein balls. It’s incredibly high in fiber, protein, and gives a rich texture to baked goods—or, in the case of these protein balls, to no-bake goods. Use it to make any of these coconut flour recipes.

Substitution Tip

To make these coconut protein balls with oats instead, swap in blended oats, a.k.a. oat flour (a similar trick works in this Chickpea Cookie Dough).

  • Nut Butter. More protein, along with heart-healthy fats. Also, soooooo tasty. Feel free to swap peanut butter instead (what I use in my go-to Peanut Butter Protein Bars).
  • Honey. Just 1 ½ tablespoons is all you need.

Tip!

Like oats, coconut flour is heat treated before it is packaged. It’s safe to eat raw oats in energy balls, as well as raw coconut flour (the heat treatment means it is not truly raw).

The Directions

healthy protein ball batter in a bowl
  1. Stir all of the ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Adjust the amount of almond milk/coconut flour until you have a consistency that’s easy to roll.
  2. Roll into 12 balls and refrigerate. Enjoy!

Dietary Note

To make these energy balls vegan, swap pure maple syrup for the honey. If you prefer energy balls or bars with dates, check out this recipe for No Bake Pumpkin Energy Balls or Vegan Protein Bars.

  • Dark Chocolate Chips. Hello, antioxidants. And chocolate.
  • Unsweetened Almond Milk. To help hold the protein balls together.

Storage Tips

  • To Store. Refrigerate protein balls for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator (really, I feel these last practically indefinitely but we never have them around that long!). I love eating these right out of the refrigerator, but you can let them stand at room temperature first if you prefer.
  • To Freeze. Place the energy balls in an airtight storage container or ziptop bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Meal Prep Tip

Make a double batch, store half in the refrigerator, then freeze the other half for healthy snacks on demand.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

When a recipe is as yummy and EASY as these cookie dough protein balls, healthy snacking is deliciously fun.

I’m completely addicted to these cookie dough protein balls, and I hope that you love them just as much.

Whether you are looking for an on-the-go snack, a post-workout reward, or a sweet after-dinner treat, these bites have you covered.

High Protein Balls Video

If you enjoy this coconut flour protein balls video, please subscribe to our YouTube channel. Be sure to click the BELL icon so you can be the first to know when we post a new video (and thank you for subscribing!).

YouTube video

Cookie Dough Protein Balls

4.73 From 51 reviews . Help us out! Review HERE.Help out & review HERE

Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 10 minutes

Servings: 12 balls
Easy no bake protein balls that taste like cookie dough and have 7 g. protein per ball! Healthy, low calorie and perfect on-the-go.

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup almond butter or peanut butter you can use natural nut butter, or the shelf-stable kind
  • ½ cup vanilla whey protein powder  about 2 scoops—use plant-based protein powder to make dairy free
  • â…“ cup coconut flour or oat flour* plus 1-2 tablespoons additional as needed
  • 1 ½ tablespoons honey or pure maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2-4 tablespoons unsweetened vanilla almond milk or milk of choice or water
  • 2 tablespoons dark chocolate chips

Instructions
 

  • To a large bowl, add the almond butter, protein powder, 1/3 cup coconut flour, honey, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons almond milk. Stir until the mixture forms a dough that is soft enough to roll into balls, but not overly sticky. Add additional coconut flour or almond milk as needed to get the right consistency. Stir in the chocolate chips.
  • Roll into 12 balls. Enjoy immediately or store in the refrigerator for later.

Video

Notes

  • *Coconut flour is the most high protein and low carb option for these protein balls. It is also grain free. If you prefer not to purchase coconut flour, you can use oat flour. To make your own oat flour, pulse oats in a food processor until smooth, then measure and use in the recipe as directed. (I do not recommend wheat flour, as its taste will be off-putting and unlike coconut flour and oat flour which are heat treated as a part of processing, it is not safe to eat wheat flour without cooking it further first.)

Nutrition

Serving: 1ballCalories: 124kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 7gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gSodium: 10mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2g

Join today and start saving your favorite recipes

Create an account to easily save your favorite recipes and access FREE meal plans.

Sign Me Up

More High Protein Snacks

Energy-filled snacks are important to get through the day. Here are some of my favorite snacks that are high in protein:

Did you try this recipe?

I want to see!

Follow @wellplated on Instagram, snap a photo, and tag it #wellplated. I love to know what you are making!

You May Also Like

Free Email Series
Sign Up for FREE Weekly Meal Plans
Each includes a grocery list, budget, and 5 healthy dinners, helping you save time, save money, and live better!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Erin Clarke

Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME!

Learn more about Erin

Leave a Comment

Did you make this recipe?

Don't forget to leave a review!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




The maximum upload file size: 5 MB. You can upload: image, video. Links to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other services inserted in the comment text will be automatically embedded. Drop files here