Easy Keto Protein Balls – vegan, no-bake and delicious! The perfect healthy, energy-boosting snack you can whip up in 10 minutes.
Jump to:
Why I love energy and protein balls
As a mum, I love a make-ahead nutritious snack option. Not just for my toddler, but also for me! Juggling work and life is a lot, and a snack I can eat one handed while driving, carrying a toddler, typing an email or tidying the house is always a win. Bliss balls are one of my regular options because they’re super quick (the longest part is getting the ingredients out of the cupboard) and I can even get my toddler to help make them as a fun activity. They normally only take 15 minutes but will last the work week in the fridge, and are reasonably forgiving if you need to substitute an ingredient. Iv’e made them in abunhc of flavors now like my energy-boosting Matcha Bliss Balls, cinnamon coated Vegan Snickerdoodle Protein Balls and my most popular flavor: Cookie Dough Protein Balls. My son’s favorite is my simple but classic Bliss Ball Recipe which I will often make with Sunflower Seed Butter so it is nut-free for daycare.
Now, I’m not keto myself, but my sister has been in the past. We were talking about how tricky it can be to eat keto long-term, and a lot of the time it comes down to convenience. That’s what inspired me to make these Keto Protein Balls! They’re a quick way to keep a little stash of dietary friendly snacks on hand for those moments you hit a hunger wall. And even if you’re not keto, like me, these are still a delicious, filling snack to help you get through a busy day.
Key Ingredients
Most ingredients are pantry staples, but these are the two specialty items you’ll need:
Protein powder – Use a low-carb, unsweetened or lightly sweetened protein powder, since many brands contain added sugars that can push the carb count up and make the balls overly sweet. I recommend Ora Organic protein powder – it’s vegan, USDA organic, and has a clean flavor without the chalky aftertaste some protein powders can have.
Sugar-free maple syrup – Make sure it’s sugar-free if you want to keep the recipe keto. Liquid stevia works well too if you prefer.
Instructions
Step One: Combine almond flour, shredded coconut, hemp seeds, chia seeds, protein powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
Step Two: Add almond butter, melted coconut oil, sweetener, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients.
Step Three: Stir until the mixture is well combined and begins to hold together.
Step Four: Roll the mixture into bite-sized balls. Coat half of the balls in shredded coconut and the other half in hemp seeds.
Step Five: Chill in the refrigerator until firm, then store in an airtight container.
Storage
Keep your potein balls in the fridge in a zip-lock bag or sirtight container for up to one week. You can also freeze them for up to 1 month – leave them to thaw in the fridge or at room temperature (do not microwave).
Expert Tips
Mix the almond butter and coconut oil together first until smooth before adding them to the dry ingredients. It helps make the dough smoother and easier to mix.
FAQ
That usually means the nut butter was too firm or the protein powder absorbed more moisture than expected. Just mix in a teaspoon or two of coconut oil or almond butter until it sticks together easily.
You can. Swap the powder for extra almond flour or finely ground oats, though the texture will be slightly softer and the protein count lower.
Use sunflower seed butter instead of almond butter, and replace almond flour with oat flour or coconut flour. Just adjust slightly if the dough feels too wet or dry.
More Recipes
Keto Protein Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond flour 96g
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut 53g
- ¼ cup hemp seeds 40g
- 2 tbsp chia seeds 18g
- 2 tbsp vanilla protein powder low-carb, no added sugar about 20–25g, check brand
- â…› tsp salt a pinch
- ½ cup almond butter or sunflower seed butter 135g
- 2 tbsp coconut oil melted 28g
- 1 tbsp sugar-free maple syrup or liquid stevia to taste about 20g if using syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract 5g
- extra shredded coconut or hemp seeds; for coating as needed
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the almond flour, shredded coconut, hemp seeds, chia seeds, protein powder, and salt.
- Add the almond butter, melted coconut oil, sweetener, and vanilla extract. Stir until the mixture is fully combined. It should be soft but will firm up as the chia seeds absorb liquid.
- Roll the mixture into 12 bite-sized balls.
- Coat half of the balls in extra hemp seeds and the other half in extra shredded coconut.
- Place the balls on a plate or tray and refrigerate for 15 minutes, or until firm.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or freeze for longer storage.
Notes
- Chia seeds continue to absorb moisture after chilling, improving the texture.
- Adjust sweetness to taste, depending on your protein powder.
Leave a Reply