Vacation-Impressed Selfmade Protein Ball Recipes

Protein bars are a convenient way to fuel up after a hard workout or keep hunger pangs at bay between meals, but they’re expensive and often filled with all sorts of fillers, processed ingredients, and artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols. It’s actually quite easy to put together your own no-bake protein bites at home, and they travel really well. They’re also great replacements for high-sugar, traditional protein bars, and we’ve specially crafted some protein ball recipes to celebrate the flavors of the holiday season.

Now you can make your own healthier, high-protein version of holiday treats like gingerbread, pumpkin pie, and candy canes. Each recipe is also vegan, gluten-free and contains no refined sugars or oils. So, if you want to try your hand at holiday-inspired healthy treats, read on for four fun and easy recipes for festive homemade protein balls.

Gingerbread Cookie Protein Balls

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These gluten-free and vegan protein balls have all the familiar flavors of classic gingerbread in a nutritious, chewy bite.

ingredients

• 1 cup of oatmeal
• 0.75 cup almond butter
• .5 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
• 2/3 cup plain or vanilla pea or rice protein powder
• 0.25 cup of dark molasses or pure maple syrup
• 0.25 cup of almond milk
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil, melted
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• .75 tsp ground ginger
• 0.25 tsp allspice
• 0.25 tsp ground cloves
• 0.25 tsp sea salt
• Cinnamon sugar to sprinkle on top (optional)

method

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl until completely mixed and sticky. Add more almond milk if it’s too dry to hold together.
2. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.
3. Using a small ice cream scoop or clean hands, shape the dough into 1-inch balls.
4. Roll the balls in the cinnamon-sugar mixture as desired.
5. Enjoy immediately or keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Chocolate Peppermint Bliss Balls

If candy canes is your favorite holiday treat, you’ll love these delicious chocolate peppermint protein balls. They are gluten free and vegan.

ingredients

• 2/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup maple syrup
• 1/3 cup sun butter or almond butter
• 1/3 cup vegan chocolate or simple protein powder
• 0.5 tsp peppermint extract
• 1/3 cup cocoa nibs
• 3 tbsp almond milk
• 2 crushed candy canes

method

1. Put everything except the crushed candy canes in a large bowl and mix well.
2. If the batter is too dry, add more almond milk. If it’s too wet, add a tablespoon or two of protein powder.
3. Using a small ice cream scoop or clean hands, shape the dough into 1-inch balls, then roll each ball into the crushed candy canes.
4. Place the balls in the refrigerator for 20 minutes or until they are firm.
5. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Pie Protein Balls

Many homemade energy balls use dates, which give a pleasant chewy texture but have a high natural sugar content. These simple pumpkin pie balls are date-free, vegan, gluten-free, and contain few ingredients.

ingredients

• 2 cups of cashew butter, almond butter or sunflower seed butter
• 1/3 cup of pure maple syrup
• 1/3 cup canned pumpkin puree (no pumpkin pie filling)
• 1.5 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
• 0.75 cups plain or vanilla pea or rice protein powder
• Oatmeal or almond flour (optional)

method

1. In a large saucepan over low heat or in a microwave-safe bowl, heat the nut butter and maple syrup until runny and warm. Whisk until combined.
2. Remove from heat and add remaining ingredients and stir until everything is well mixed or a thick, firm dough has set.
3. If the batter is too fluffy, gradually add oatmeal or almond flour until it is firm.
4. Using a small ice cream scoop or clean hands, shape the dough into 1-inch balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. Chill the balls in the refrigerator until they are firm.
6. Enjoy!

Coconut and cranberry snowballs

Pixabay

These protein balls have chewy cranberries, nutty coconut and some orange peel for a tart and sweet festive bite.

ingredients

• 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup of natural almond or cashew butter, warmed
• 0.25 cups maple syrup
• 0.5 cup of plain or vanilla protein powder
• 0.5 cup plus 3 tbsp unsweetened desiccated coconut
• 0.5 cup of dried cranberries
• 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
• Peel of two oranges

method

1. In a large bowl, mix together the oatmeal, protein powder, orange peel, cranberries, nut butter, 1/2 cup desiccated coconut, and melted coconut oil to form a batter.
2. Using a small ice cream scoop or clean hands, shape the dough into 1-inch balls.
3. Roll each ball in the remaining desiccated coconut.
4. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator or freezer.

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