With smooth-as-silk peanut butter, the crunch of chia seeds and tiny bites of chocolate, these tasty vegan protein energy balls will satisfy every snack craving.
These no-bake, no-hassle vegan protein energy bites are so amazing! They are loaded with tasty but nourishing ingredients, including peanut butter, almond flour, chia seeds and chocolate, and just one will satisfy all hunger cravings while keeping you on track toward all your health goals. The energy balls are soy-free, gluten-free and grain-free.
I am an incorrigible snacker and making healthy snack recipes has been really key in keeping me on track on my journey toward better health. These high protein energy balls are my favorite go-to snack. I put them together in under 10 minutes at the start of each week and just one keeps me full and satisfied until it's time for the next meal.
These are super customizable: I don't think I ever make this energy ball recipe exactly the same way twice, and I'll have suggestions on how you can tweak them to your tastes. But the combination of ingredients I am sharing today is by far my most favorite. The flavor and texture of the nutty peanut butter and crunchy chia seeds combined with the hint of chocolate is simply incredible.
You can also size them as you like. I shape these into rather hefty bites, for 20 energy balls in all, but you can make 24 or even 30 smaller balls.
Why you'll love these vegan protein energy balls
- They make a delicious and filling snack any time you are hungry, and you can eat them with no guilt. The peanut butter and almond flour are simply delicious with the chocolate and chia seeds.
- They are so good for you, way better than any "healthy" storebought snack. There are just 126 calories, 6 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber in each serving. For those watching their carbs, these vegan energy balls are keto- or low-carb-friendly with 4 grams of net carbs in each serving.
- You can make them in 10 minutes in one bowl, no cooking skills required. These are no bake energy balls. Be sure to watch the video below to see just how easy it is to make these.
- You can take them with you. These are so easy to transport and pop into your mouth anytime you have a hunger pang, at work or on the road.
- These no bake energy bites are the perfect aid to a healthy weight loss journey. With lots of good plant-based protein and fiber, these peanut butter energy balls are a great way to keep you in sight of your goals.
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond flour. Use superfine or finely ground almond flour for best results.
- ½ cup chia seeds
- 1 cup plant-based protein powder. I use Orgain Simple (vanilla flavor). It has 40 grams of protein in a cup (four scoops) and 20 grams of carbs. You can use any protein powder you like, but if you want to keep these low-carb make sure you choose a protein powder with fewer carbs.
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- ½ cup vegan keto chocolate chips. I've written more extensively about choosing vegan keto chocolate chips in my vegan keto brownies post and you can refer to that. I didn't have any vegan keto chocolate chips on hand when I shot the video for these so I used vegan white chocolate chips, which are not keto. For low-carb energy balls make sure you use chips labeled as "keto" and "vegan". Or you can use dark chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa.
- ¼ cup coconut oil
How to make vegan energy balls
- Place all ingredients in a bowl.
- Mix with a spatula, ensuring that the peanut butter and coconut oil are evenly dispersed. Use your hands to mix, if necessary. When you pick a bite sized portion and press it within your fist it should clump together.
- Form 24 evenly sized balls.
Watch a video of this recipe
Frequently asked questions
With just 126 calories, six grams of protein and three grams of fiber these protein balls can be a great tool in your journey to weight loss.
Each of these energy balls has just four net carbs. You can choose a lower-carb protein powder to further reduce carbs. Each energy bite also has 10 grams of fat from heart-healthy coconut oil.
You can store these at room temperature for 3-4 days, or refrigerate them for three to four weeks. They will harden up a bit because of the coconut oil so let them stand at room temperature for a bit before eating. You can also freeze them for several months.
Customize this energy bites recipe
- Use almond butter or a mixed nut butter instead of peanut butter.
- Use nuts instead of chocolate chips to add even more healthy protein to the recipe. Or use dried fruit like raisins or cranberries (this will increase carbs).
- Add a couple of tablespoons of ground flax seeds (flax meal) to the recipe.
- I wanted to keep this recipe grain-free but if you like oatmeal in energy balls add a cup of finely ground old-fashioned oats instead of almond flour to the recipe.
- Use chocolate protein powder to add more chocolate flavor.
Related recipes
Vegan High Protein Energy Balls
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond flour (very finely ground)
- ½ cup chia seeds
- 1 cup vegan protein powder (I used Orgain Simple vanilla plant protein powder. You can use any vegan protein powder with fewer carbs)
- ½ cup smooth peanut butter
- ½ cup vegan keto chocolate chips (see recipe notes)
- ¼ cup coconut oil
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a bowl.
- Mix with a spatula, ensuring that the peanut butter and coconut oil are evenly dispersed. Use your hands to mix, if necessary. When you pick a bite sized portion and press it within your fist it should clump together.
- Form 24 evenly sized balls.
Video
Recipe notes
- If the mixture doesn't hold together, add a little nondairy milk.
- I typically use Lily's semisweet keto baking chips, which are also vegan, for these peanut butter chocolate balls. Keep in mind that Lily's white chocolate chips do contain milk. I didn't have any keto chocolate chips on hand this time so for the video and photos I used vegan white chocolate chips that are not keto. You can also use dark chocolate or mini chocolate chips or flavored chocolate chips, like mint chocolate chips.
- You can make these energy balls any size you want. I made about 20 to 22, and they were quite hefty and filling at that size. You can shape them into smaller bites, or larger.
- There is no need for any added sugar or maple syrup or dates in this recipe. The protein powder and peanut butter add enough sweetness.
Karleen
Instead of almond flour I used 1 cup mix of raw oats, flax powder, wheat germ, wheat bran and I added a few tsp of maple syrup. I also substituted sunflower butter as it was open and my peanut butter wasn't lol! They turned out fantastic. A few I pushed chopped dates into the center and some I rolled in sesame seeds. So versatile! Thanks for the recipe.
Valerie
Peanut butter should not be sweet, except from peanuts. Unless you make your own in a food processor or can find just peanuts, then there is added sugar or xylitol in most commercial brands.
I like this recipe very much and will definitely be making it as I have all the ingredients. Thanks.
Katie
Can you make these without the added oil?
Vaishali
Yes, use some applesauce to bind, but they will have a shorter shelf life.
Karen Watkins
Love this recipe! Do you know how much phosphorus is in this? My spouse has kidney disease so I monitor the phosphorus amount as well as the sodium and potassium in his diet.
Vaishali
Hi Karen, Unfortunately I don't know about the quantity of phosphorus in this. I am pretty certain most nutrition calculators, including the one I use, do not list that. If you or another reader knows how to calculate it I'd love to hear.
AA
Can I omit the Chocolate Chips?
Vaishali
Absolutely.