Recipes/ Snacks

Almond Chocolate Chip protein balls

Name: Almond Chocolate Chip Protein Balls
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 18
Cuisine: american
Ingredients: 1-1/3 cup gluten-free oats; 1/3 cup vanilla protein powder; 3/4 cups natural almond butter; 1/3 cup honey; 3 tbsp melted coconut oil; 3/4 cup dark vegan chocolate chips *see notes

Gluten-free, Dairy-free

When you are looking for an energy boost or a punch of protein post-workout, these babies are for you. There is always alot of hype around protein, and there is good reason why. Protein is a macro-nutrient meaning along with fats and carbs- it is one the nutrients your body needs most. It literally plays a role in all helping every cell in our body, including repairing and building tissue. This is why so many people that exercise, workout or play sports rely on protein so much.

I remember the protein shake trend starting back when I was in University, back when commercial protein powders started to become mainstream (and not just for body builders). Since then we have been blessed with so many amazing, clean protein powders, and many of them also offered as plant based too!! This is such great news for me, not because I am vegan (although I cook and eat vegan ALL THE TIME!) but because my body simply cannnot tolerate dairy. Or whey. Or cassein. Anything to do with milk or milk products and my belly bloats like I’m preggos and my digestive system is just a wreck (pass gas shall we?). I started using Genuine Health fermented protein thanks to a recommendation from one of my fav nutritionist Joyous Health- and it really work wells, has tons of protein and is easy on the tummy. I also really love VegaONE, because it has so many added minerals, vitamins and nutrients.
It doesn’t matter what protein powder you decide to use, as long as you know it is good quality and good tasting!

These balls are so easy to make just like all my ball recipes becasue they only require a handful of ingredients and don’t need to be baked- you just have to toss the ingredients together and roll. When they are first made, they will be soft and shinny just like you see in the picture above- this is because of the softened coconut oil and honey. But when you put them in the fridge for 30 minutes or more, they form into the perfect hardiness for eating!
To reduce the sugar content, I like to use Lily’s sugar free chocolate chips. They are sweetned with stevia and taste delicious you would never know they are sugar free! Alternatively you can use your standard dark chocolate chips as well.