Salted Caramel Protein Balls make the perfect energizing snack. They are packed with plant based protein to power your day. Plus, they are gluten-free, vegan, and have no added sugars!
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This post was first published on May 20, 2021. It was updated on July 28 2023.
Is this a healthy snack?
It's important to make sure you are fueling your day properly, especially between long stretches between meals. Try to choose snacks that contain a mix of carbohydrates and protein.
I like to make a bunch of these quick protein bites, put them in the freezer, and then take them out one-by-one to pack for my day. They are a grab and go snack to bring for:
- Long work days
- Between classes
- Hiking
- Workouts
- Road trips
- Traveling
- Between meals
What ingredients do I need to make these salted caramel energy bites?
- Cashews provide the base to our 'caramel' taste. Cashews are often used in lots of other vegan treats too.
- Dates sweeten our bites. They contain no added sugar - only the sugar naturally present within the fruit
- Coconut comes in several different varieties like flaked, shredded, or grated. Just be sure to look for unsweetened.
- Protein powder helps pack in extra protein to keep you fuller longer.
- Seeds provide healthy fats and fiber.
- Peanut butter gives it that silky feel and helps keep them together. Sub sunflower butter if you are nut free.
- Almond milk helps everything stick together.
- Salt and cinnamon provide an extra pop of flavor.
How do I make these date protein balls?
Simply blend your ingredients together in a food processor, roll into bites, and store in the fridge for up to 1 week until you're ready to enjoy! You can also freeze them for up to 3 months to eat later on.
Customize these protein energy bites your way
For this recipe, I like to add hemp seeds (also known as hemp hearts) into these bites. These can typically be found in the bulk section or the baking and cereals aisle of the grocery store. Just 3 tablespoons of them packs in 10 grams of plant based protein! You can also use chia seeds or ground flax seed instead. These are also a great source of omega 3 healthy fats and protein.
Peanut butter is one of my favorite ingredients to use in recipes. It mixes great in these healthy energy bites. However, if you are nut-free, feel free to substitute it with sunflower seed butter instead.
What protein powder should I use?
You can use any protein powder of your choice. I recommend using a vanilla flavored one to add to the salted caramel flavor. If you are using an unflavored one, that works too! You just might want to add a dash of vanilla extract or a spoonful of maple syrup to add a layer of extra sweetness. I've also made these using unflavored collagen peptides. They will be a bit more oily and sticky with collagen, but just as delicious!
How to turn these bites into mini game day footballs
For game day fun, you can shape these salted caramel protein bites into little footballs! Once you've mixed up the ingredients and formed your bites, gently shape each one into an oval football shape. Use white icing to pipe on "laces" for a final touch that's both festive and fun. These football-inspired bites are the ideal protein-packed sweet to enjoy while cheering on your team!
Is this recipe vegan?
To make this recipe fully vegan, be sure to choose a plant based protein powder like pea protein or soy protein. If you're not vegan, feel free to use any type of vanilla protein powder you like.
Salted Caramel Protein Balls
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Ingredients
- 1 cup raw or roasted cashews, unsalted
- 1 cup pitted Medjool dates, about 8 dates
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- ½ cup vanilla protein powder of your choice (whey, pea, soy, rice, hemp, egg white, casein, collagen, brown rice, etc
- 2 tablespoons seeds of your choice (hemp seeds, chia seeds, or ground flax seed)
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons vanilla almond milk or water
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- In a food processor or Vitamix, blend cashews and dates until mostly broken down into a crumbly consistency.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until mostly smooth, about 1-2 minutes.
- Roll into 1-inch bites. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week or freezer for up to 3 months.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Jen says
Not a big coconut fan, could you recommend a swap?
Mackenzie Burgess says
Hi Jen! You can try substituting the 1/2 cup coconut flakes with an equal amount of chopped nuts or rolled oats. You could also use other ingredients such as sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, or pumpkin seeds to add a similar texture and bit of crunch to the recipe. Let me know if you end up trying out this recipe - enjoy!
~Mackenzie
Phyllis says
These are awesome!! They are hit here in my family. They’re so easy to make and healthy too!
Mackenzie Burgess, RDN says
Hi Phyllis - SO happy to hear this! What did you customize your protein bites with? Hope you'll make these time & time again! ~Mackenzie