These healthy Banana Protein Balls are Paleo, Vegan and nut free. Plus, they don't contain any added sugar. They are only sweetened with banana and are coated in extra dark chocolate for a simple, low carb, high protein snack or dessert. These are the best banana energy bites!

Fruit sweetened desserts are my favorite! And these no bake banana bread bites are only sweetened with bananas. (Yippee!)

I prefer desserts that don't contain any added sugar because then they can double as a healthy snack...or even qualify as a healthy breakfast. (At least, that's my opinion.)

In addition to only being sweetened with bananas, these banana protein balls are:

Paleo
Vegan
nut free
high in protein
low in sugar
grain free (no oats)
only 5 ingredients required
easy to make
healthy enough for breakfast, snack or a guilt-free dessert

I've made these Paleo energy bites more times that I can count...and they always disappear by the second day. (What can I say, I love energy balls dipped in chocolate!)

Ingredients in Paleo Banana Protein Balls

Only a few ingredients are necessary for making these energy balls. Here's what you need:

medium ripe banana
sunflower seed butter
pea protein powder
cinnamon (optional)
vanilla extract (optional)
water
extra dark chocolate

Banana

I used a semi-ripe banana to make these. Meaning, yellow with few brown spots. However, any level of ripeness will work for this recipe.

Sunflower Seed Butter

To make these banana bread balls nut free, I used sunflower seed butter. Peanut butter (not strict Paleo) or almond butter would be great substitutes.

Pea Protein

I used my favorite pea protein powder in this recipe. Although I haven't tested any other protein powder, most plant-based ones should work.

Dark Chocolate

I recommend a dark chocolate with a cocoa content between 70-100%. My two favorite Paleo chocolates include THESE 70% dark chocolate chips and THESE 100% dark chocolate chips.

How to Make Banana Protein Balls

Like all of my recipes, these Paleo protein balls are super easy to put together. You can prep a batch (or two) for the week ahead for a simple meal prep option. As, they store well in the fridge or freezer.

Here's what you need to do:

Make the Filling

First, combine all filling ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl. This includes everything except the chocolate.

Mix the dough with a spatula, then use your hands. At first it may seem like you don't have enough water/moisture...but just keep kneading the dough until it's well mixed. The end result should be almost playdough-like.

Next, roll the dough into balls. I made 16 energy balls (about 1 tablespoon in size), but you may make them as big or as little as you'd like.

Place the balls in the freezer while you prepare the coating.

Chocolate Coating

Next, melt the dark chocolate. Do this by placing the chocolate in a small sauce pan. Melt it on the stove top over low heat, stirring frequently.

Once fully melted, retrieve the balls from the freezer. Dip, one at a time, into the melted chocolate and then place on a piece of parchment paper.

After all of the balls have been dipped, you may drizzle any remaining chocolate over the balls and add a pinch of cinnamon. Place the protein balls in the fridge or freezer for the chocolate to fully set.

More Healthy Protein Recipes

For more healthy, easy protein recipes, check out these reader favorites:

Enjoy!

Paleo Banana Protein Balls (Vegan, Nut Free)

Author: Katie
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 16 balls 1x

Description

Healthy, low sugar banana protein balls. Paleo, Vegan and nut free - perfect for a satisfying snack or healthy dessert.

Scale

Ingredients

Filling

1 small ripe banana (100g, or a little over ⅓ cup mashed)
¼ cup sunflower seed butter
½ cup pea protein powder (52g)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 Tbsp water

Coating

3 oz extra dark chocolate

Instructions

For the Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix first with a spatula, then use your hands to knead the dough. (The filling will have a playdough-like texture.)
Separate the dough into 16 pieces (about 1 Tbsp in size) and then roll into balls.
Place the balls in the freezer while you prepare the coating.
For the Coating: Place the dark chocolate in a small saucepan. Melt on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently.
Once fully melted, turn off the heat and retrieve the fillings from the freezer.
Dip the fillings, one at a time, into the melted chocolate. Place on a lined baking sheet or plate.
Put the protein balls in the fridge or freezer for chocolate to fully set.
Store in fridge or freezer.

Notes

Note: these protein balls are not super sweet. Feel free to add a tablespoon or two of your favorite sweetener such as coconut sugar or monk fruit.

Keywords: protein balls, no added sugar, snack, dessert, high protein, banana, banana bread, Paleo, Vegan, allergy free

Paleo Banana Protein Balls (Vegan, Nut Free)