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    Home » Paleo

    Dark Chocolate Protein Balls (No Bake, Low Carb)

    Published: Jul 30, 2021 · by Katie

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

    These dark chocolate protein balls are the perfect no bake, high protein snack or dessert. They're made with pea protein, cocoa powder and sunbutter and are Paleo and Vegan friendly. This low carb chocolate protein ball recipe is just what you need to satisfy those sweet cravings while keeping your sugar intake low.

    inside shot of protein ball

    If you know me, you know I love my low carb, high protein desserts... mostly in the form of protein balls or bars because they're easy to make and store well in the freezer.

    Not too long ago, I shared a recipe for dark chocolate protein bars. But it wasn't until recently that I realized I was missing a paleo chocolate protein ball recipe on my blog - fixed that asap!

    These no bake protein balls are super easy to make and it's easy to eat a handful in one sitting. They are not very sweet, but still satisfy my sweet tooth.

    Why You'll Love These Chocolate Protein Balls

    • Paleo & Vegan friendly
    • Made with Nuzest pea protein: a high quality protein powder that is gut friendly, free of common allergens, is regularly tested for heavy metals and does not contain fillers or additives. (My discount code BAKEITPALEO gets you 15% off.)
    • Nut free: made without peanuts or nuts and instead uses sunflower seed butter
    • Gluten and grain free: no oats, no flour
    • No added sugar: this recipe is only sweetened with the protein powder and chocolate in the dark chocolate coating
    • No bake: these protein balls don't require any baking - perfect for a quick summer treat
    top view of dark chocolate protein balls

    Ingredients in Chocolate Protein Balls

    Fewer than 10 ingredients are needed to make these paleo protein balls. Here's a list of what you need:

    • pea protein powder: I used Nuzest rich chocolate protein powder. I have not tried any other protein powders, but most should work as a replacement. Just note: pea protein is very absorbent, so ingredient measurements may change if you're using a different type.
    • cacao powder: I used an organic cacao powder, but cocoa powder will work too
    • salt: to enhance the flavor. I use Himalayan pink salt in all of my recipes.
    • sunflower seed butter: I used unsweetened Sunbutter. May be substituted with any creamy nut or seed butter
    • vanilla extract: optional, but added for flavor
    • water: to thin the dough
    • dark chocolate: optional, for the chocolate coating
    • coconut oil: optional, thins the chocolate for the coating
    ingredients in dark chocolate protein balls

    How to Make Chocolate Protein Balls

    This protein ball recipe doesn't require much work. The filling is made in one bowl, frozen for 30 minutes and then dipped in melted dark chocolate. Here's what you need to do:

    Make the Filling

    First, combine all dry ingredients in a small mixing bowl.

    Add in the wet ingredients and mix first with a spatula, then use your hands to knead the dough. Note: if you're using a different protein powder then I recommend adding the water last - you may not need it.

    Roll the dough into balls about one tablespoon in size. Place them on a small baking sheet or large plate.

    rolling the dough into balls

    Freeze the Filling

    Next, freeze the balls for at least 30 minutes. This step is important if you want to dip the balls in dark chocolate. If you don't want the chocolate coating, then skip this step and go straight to eating! 😉

    Coat Balls in Dark Chocolate

    In a small sauce pan, melt the dark chocolate and coconut oil over low heat, stirring frequently. Once fully melted, grab the protein balls from the freezer.

    One at a time, dip the protein balls in to the dark chocolate. Place the dipped balls on a sheet of parchment paper to set.

    Drizzle any extra chocolate over the protein balls and top with flaked sea salt.

    side view of protein balls
    protein balls on plate

    Storage

    These vegan chocolate protein balls need to kept in the fridge or freezer. Place them in an air tight baggie or container and keep them up to two weeks in the fridge or 2 months in the freezer.

    FAQ

    Do I have to use pea protein?

    I have only tested this recipe using Nuzest's pea protein (any of the Nuzest flavors will work), but most protein powders should work as a replacement.

    The important thing to note is that pea protein is quite absorbent. Swapping this protein powder for something like whey protein will give you quite different results. You may have to add more protein powder to the recipe and/or remove the water from the ingredient list.

    What's so great about Nuzest's protein powder?

    I choose Nuzest protein over other pea proteins because of taste and texture and the fact that it's made without fillers, preservatives or artificial flavors.

    It's paleo and vegan friendly since it's made without grains, gluten, dairy and refined sugar. I also love that it's processed using a low-heat, enzymatic isolation process (which is functionally very similar to fermenting or sprouting) and this effectively removes most of the phytate, lectins, saponins, and trypsin inhibitors that are associated with legumes.

    Lastly, the peas are grown in France and are free of pesticides and herbicides - grown with organic farming practices

    Do you have a Nuzest discount code?

    I have an affiliate discount code for Nuzest's protein powder. You can use the code BAKEITPALEO to get 15% off of any purchase.

    More Recipes Using Pea Protein

    • Healthy Vanilla Protein Waffles
    • Vegan Banana Protein Bread
    • Homemade Protein Snickers
    • Birthday Cake Protein Bars
    Print
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    protein balls on plate

    Dark Chocolate Protein Balls (No Bake, Low Carb)

    5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review
    • Author: Katie
    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Freeze Time: 30 minutes
    • Cook Time: 0 minutes
    • Total Time: 45 minutes
    • Yield: 16 protein balls
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    Healthy dark chocolate protein balls made with pea protein and dipped in dark chocolate.  Paleo, vegan and nut free.


    Ingredients

    Scale

    Filling

    • ¼ cup Nuzest rich chocolate pea protein (28g)*
    • ¼ cup cacao powder (22g)
    • ⅛ tsp salt
    • ½ cup sunflower seed butter
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • 3 Tbsp water (more or less as needed)**

    Coating (optional)

    • 3-4 oz dark chocolate
    • 1 tsp coconut oil

    Topping (optional)

    • flaked sea salt


    Instructions

    1. In a small mixing bowl, combine all dry filling ingredients.  This includes the protein powder, cocoa powder and salt.
    2. Mix in the sunflower seed butter and vanilla extract.  Add water as needed.  Mix first with a spatula, then use your hands to knead the dough.  It will have a playdough-like texture.
    3. Roll the dough into balls about 1 tablespoon in size.  Place the balls on a small baking sheet or large plate.
    4. Freeze the balls for 30 minutes.
    5. In a small sauce pan, melt the dark chocolate and coconut oil over low heat, stirring frequently. 
    6. Dip the balls into the dark chocolate and place on a sheet of parchment paper.
    7. Drizzle any remaining chocolate over the balls and top with flaked sea salt.
    8. Store in fridge or freezer.

    Notes

    *Use my Nuzest discount code BAKEITPALEO for 15% off any purchase

    **You may need more or less water depending on the protein powder you use.  For sweeter protein balls, swap the water for maple syrup.

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag us — we can't wait to see what you've made!

    pinterest image for dark chocolate protein balls
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Katie

      July 31, 2021 at 1:58 pm

      These fudgy protein balls are always on rotation at my house. Hope you all love the recipe!

      Reply
    2. Melina

      January 07, 2023 at 8:16 am

      Hi Katie! Curious it says vanilla protein powder, did you mean chocolate? (Just because their cakes dark chocolate protein balls!) going to try these out this week!

      Reply
      • Katie

        January 07, 2023 at 8:44 am

        Hi! I actually used vanilla protein powder, because that's all I had on hand. But chocolate would work just the same 🙂

        Reply
    3. Kay

      May 30, 2023 at 5:19 am

      What are the nutritional numbers, specifically calories and grams of protein per serving?

      Reply
    4. Kimberly

      June 17, 2023 at 8:39 am

      What are the nutritional values per serving ?

      Reply
      • Katie

        June 17, 2023 at 8:41 am

        Hi! You can use a tool like myfitnesspal to calculate the nutritional values.

        Reply
    5. Kim

      November 08, 2023 at 12:12 pm

      Curious as to how small these need to be to end up making 16?

      Reply
      • Katie

        November 08, 2023 at 4:23 pm

        Each ball is about 1 tablespoon in size.

        Reply
    6. Lauren

      January 24, 2024 at 11:00 am

      can you use peanut butter instead of sunflower seed butter?

      Reply
      • Katie

        January 24, 2024 at 12:58 pm

        Yes! Peanut butter would work well as a sub.

        Reply
    7. Anna

      February 21, 2024 at 7:09 pm

      How much calories per one ball?

      Reply

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    Hi there!

    I'm Katie and I have a passion for baking healthy treats using real, whole food ingredients. On my blog you'll find a variety of sweet and savory recipes, all gluten free and dairy free. My mission is to make baking nutritious, delicious, simple and family friendly.

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