These Chocolate Protein Balls are a surprisingly decadent-tasting healthy snack. An easy recipe packed with plant based protein and healthy fats, these bite-sized chocolates are low in sugar, gluten free, dairy free, vegan, and grain free.
This post is sponsored by O.W.Y.N, all opinions are my own. See full disclosure.
Life is busy.
And through that busy-ness, we're all searching for meaningful and healthy lifestyles that can be achieved without adding much more time to our crazy schedules. Right?
Here at Life After Wheat, our journey to a healthier lifestyle began, believe it or not, when Allan was diagnosed with EOE and multiple food allergies 6 years ago.
We started making more from-scratch recipes out of necessity, and eventually realized how many nutrients we were lacking from the food we were eating. We started incorporating more fresh produce and making simple meals packed with real, nutrient dense foods (and there is no better way to enjoy real food than in a Chocolate Protein Ball).
None of these changes were easy, but creating and enjoying plant-based, healthy recipes has been one of the best things we've done for our family and you'll be seeing more of them throughout this next year (yay!) If you usually visit Life After Wheat for the gluten free breads (that don't taste gluten free), not to worry...we still have plenty of those coming your way 😉
Now, I must admit that for me, the hardest part of eating healthy is limiting chocolate - and sugar in general. Even so-called healthy foods contain loads of sugar...have you ever checked labels in the protein section of the grocery store? YIKES! A lot of protein products are packed with sugar and/or a lot of not-so-real ingredients.
That's why we love O.W.Y.N. I first tasted their ready-to-drink protein shakes at the Food Allergy Blogger's Conference last Fall and have been drinking it ever since. I also love using their protein powder to give simple recipes a plant based protein boost (have you tried these Energy Bites yet? they're a huge hit at our house)
O.W.Y.N stands for Only What You Need...and it is exactly that. Packed with plant-based protein, greens, and no artificial sweeteners, it also tastes good.
Enter the deliciously decadent but secretly healthy Chocolate Protein Balls. These balls are simple, quick, and easy to make. They're made with a few real ingredients, and they taste good. In fact, my pickiest eater tells me they're really good 🙂
Chocolate Protein Balls are easy to make in just 4 steps!
STEP 1: Measure your ingredients into a medium-sized bowl.
STEP 2: Stir.
STEP 3: Form into balls, and top with a drizzle of dark chocolate if you want.
STEP 4: Eat. Enjoy. Repeat.
We love to keep a batch in the freezer to pull out whenever we need a healthy treat, or on-the-go snack. We've even been known to eat a few for breakfast because...why not? They're a whole lot healthier than most breakfast options!
O.W.Y.N. makes a variety of protein powders and ready made protein shakes, you can check out all their flavors and order online HERE. Of course, as a food allergy family we're always looking for SAFE products, and we are 100% confident in O.W.Y.N due to their stringent guidelines and allergen testing. They're also the first brand to be the Food Allergy Research & Education national partnership. You can read more about their allergen policies HERE.
Chocolate Brownie Protein Balls
These Chocolate Energy Balls are a surprisingly decadent-tasting healthy snack. An easy recipe packed with plant based protein and healthy fats, these bite-sized chocolates are low in sugar, gluten free, dairy free, vegan, and grain free.
Ingredients
- 1 cup gluten free almond flour (see notes)
- heaping ⅓ cup O.W.Y.N. Dark Chocolate protein powder (or other protein powder of choice)
- 3 T cocoa powder
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
- 1 T honey, agave, or real maple syrup (we use local, raw honey - use one of the other options for vegan)
- 2-3 T milk of choice (we used unsweetened vanilla almond milk)
- 2 T mini or regular vegan chocolate chips, optional (we used Enjoy Life Foods)
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and stir until combined, it should be the consistency of cookie dough.
- Using hands or a cookie scoop, form into 1 inch balls. You can also make them bite sized if you want. Drizzle with additional melted chocolate if you want.
- You can store in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days, or freeze. To freeze, place balls so they aren't touching on a parchment lined baking sheet. Freeze for an hour and then put in a Ziploc freezer bag or freezer container, and store in the freezer. These bites are great partially thawed for a cool treat!
Notes
Many almond flours are not gluten free as they are processed on the same equipment as wheat. Use an almond flour that has the certified gluten free seal. I get mine at Costco.
I love using O.W.Y.N. protein powder in this recipe, but feel free to sub your favorite. You might need to adjust the liquid slightly.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 93Total Fat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 32mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 5g
Kelly says
I love that a few ingredients come together for this super tasty bite. I'd like a dozen please!
Amanda says
These look delicious. Protein balls make wonderful after school snacks. The kids just know they are delicious, not that they are healthy.
Jules Shepard says
These look wonderfully delicious and less messy than others I've tried!
Kristina says
I'd love an excuse for brownies more often! 😉
I have been meaning to find out more information about the OWYN...
Kaila (The Wanderlust Celiac) says
I had never heard of O.W.Y.N. before, so I enjoyed learning more about the product. These look simply scrumptious as well! They look quick to make and come out with a nice texture too. 🙂
Kortney says
I struggle to find a safe protein powder and when I do it is always loaded with things I would rather not eat. Love what OWYN stands for!
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com says
Yes Kortney, I've had the same experience and that's why I love OWYN! -Celeste
Vegan Nazi says
Says it's vegan, but has honey in the ingredients..
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com says
You can use agave or real maple syrup.
Adrienne says
Actually there are some who argue that honey is really vegan. So it's a debatable issue.
Adrienne says
I love little snackeroos like this! Love the protein addition too!
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com says
Me too, love having them on hand!
Dreena Burton says
Oh these are so up my street! I haven't seen that protein powder, would love to give it a try.
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com says
I have tried loads of protein powders and drinks, this is definitely one of my favs, hope you enjoy it! -Celeste
Monica Davis says
I just bought a bag of almond flour and was looking for a recipe to try it out. This looks perfect, so excited to finally use it. I think my kids are going to devour these! 🙂
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com says
I sure hope everyone enjoys them Monica!
Christine says
Hello, I am new to gluten free. I love your site. What are your thoughts on using coconut flour for these protein balls (just in case I am out of almond flour) would the measurements be the same?
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com says
Hi Christine! Coconut flour is very different, it will soak a LOT more moisture so I recommend sticking with the almond flour.
Christine says
Thank you so much!
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com says
You're welcome! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
Heather says
Any recommendations for an alternate flour since my son cannot have almond flour due to a tree nut allergy?
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com says
You could try cassava, just watch the texture. If it's too dry, add a little moisture and if it's too wet, add a little more flour 🙂
Jaycie Ertel says
Is T for a tablespoon or teaspoon?
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com says
Tablespoon.
Suzanne says
This looks so good! What a great healthy snack to have ready for when you need a boost or have a craving!
Vanessa says
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?
Chelsea says
I have made these multiple times and love them (although I get too excited and usually add too much liquid 🤦🏻♀️), but this time I used Nutpods Hazelnut Creamer instead of almond milk and it was such a fun variation - just a splash of extra flavor. Would highly recommend!
thereislifeafterwheat@gmail.com says
Fantastic idea! Thanks for sharing Chelsea 🙂