Cookie Dough Protein Balls (Paleo, Vegan, Nut Free)

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These low carb cookie dough protein balls are made with sunflower seed butter, pea protein and coated in a rich, dark chocolate shell. They're great for an easy snack or protein-packed dessert. This protein ball recipe is paleo friendly, vegan, nut free and low carb.

Pretty sure you all know my love for truffles and paleo energy balls runs high!

And this recipe combines the two. As in, these cookie dough protein balls taste like a dessert (hello cookie dough filling), but are low in sugar and high in protein and healthy fats.

I had a hard time eating just one...or two! So I'm warning you now, these nut free cookie dough energy bites are addicting. How could they not be?!

They have a delicious, soft cookie dough filling that's coated in dark chocolate and topped with a pinch of sea salt. The chocolate coating and sea salt are optional, but highly recommended. Plus, it makes these protein balls look like store-bought truffles. Fancy without much effort!

Why You'll Love these Cookie Dough Protein Balls

gluten free & grain free - these protein balls are made without oats
nut free - made without peanut butter and without almond butter
dairy free - made with pea protein (no whey protein)
paleo & vegan friendly - use simple, wholesome ingredients you can feel good about!
low in sugar and carbs - lightly sweetened and made with extra dark chocolate.
high in protein - thanks to the addition of pea protein

holding a protein bite and showing the inside texture

Ingredients

These nut free cookie dough balls require just a few simple, every-day ingredients. You can find the full recipe in the recipe card below, but here's a list of what you'll need:

Sunbutter: unsweetened sunflower seed butter (or any creamy nut butter like almond butter or cashew butter)
Pea Protein: I recommend Nuzest vanilla protein powder. Pea protein is very absorbent, so substituting with other protein powders may not work. I love the vanilla for this recipe, however feel free to substitute with any protein flavor.
Liquid Sweetener: I used maple syrup, but any liquid sweetener will work. Raw honey is another great paleo sweetener.
Dark Chocolate: for the cookie dough filling and chocolate coating. I used mini chocolate chips for the filling and regular sized ones for the coating. However, any type of chocolate/chocolate chips will work. You can always chop up large chips or chocolate bars to make smaller pieces for the filling.
Vanilla Extract: optional, but recommended for flavor
Water: to thin the batter
Flaked Sea Salt: optional topping

ingredients-in-cookie-dough-protein-balls

How to Make Vegan Cookie Dough Protein Balls

One of the things I love about protein balls and energy bites: they are super easy to make. These quick snacks can be part of your weekly meal prep or simply thrown together while you're cooking dinner. Here's what you need to do:

Make the Filling

First, make the filling. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine all the filling ingredients. This includes the sunflower seed butter, vanilla protein, maple syrup, mini chocolate chips, vanilla and water.
Depending on the type and brand of protein powder you use, you may need more or less water. So, add one tablespoon at a time until you reach a consistency that allows you to roll the dough into balls.
Roll the dough into balls approximately one tablespoon in size (making 12-14 balls). Place the balls on a large plate or small baking sheet.

Freeze Filling

Transfer the balls to the freezer for at least 20 minutes to firm up (I usually freeze longer).

Coat in Dark Chocolate

Next, prep the dark chocolate coating. To do this, place the chocolate in a small sauce pan. Set the sauce pan on the stove top and melt the chocolate over low heat, stirring frequently.
Once the chocolate is melted, grab the balls from the freezer and dip them (one at a time) into the chocolate. Place the balls on a sheet of parchment paper.
Lastly, sprinkle the bites with flaked sea salt. Of course, this step is optional, but recommended 😉

cookie dough protein balls topped with chocolate and flaked salt

Storage

These vegan cookie dough balls need to be stored in the fridge or freezer. They are great for a quick snack, breakfast, dessert or packed in a lunch.

I love popping a few in packed lunches or just grabbing one in-between meals or post workout.

FAQ

Are Protein Balls Healthy?

Protein balls can be part of a healthy diet, what matters are the ingredients used to make the protein balls.

My recipe is healthy because it contains real food ingredients that are minimally processed and additive free. It's also important to look at the sugar content. Protein balls loaded with sugar are more of a dessert, whereas ones that use just a small amount of unrefined sugar (like this recipe) are great for snacks or an addition to breakfast.

Do protein balls need to be refrigerated?

Most protein balls are best kept in the fridge because they last longer that way (typically 2-3 weeks in the fridge). Some also need refrigeration to hold their shape, as they become soft at room temperature.

This cookie dough protein ball recipe requires refrigeration, however you can leave them out at room temperature for a few hours if you're packing them in a lunch or as an on-the-go snack.

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