Cookie Dough Protein Balls
If you’re in need of a healthy snack, look no further than these cookie dough protein balls! These low-carb energy bites are packed with high-protein ingredients like cottage cheese, peanut butter, and vanilla whey isolate. Plus, they’re easy to prepare and will satisfy your sweet tooth without stretching your waistline!
Servings 45 protein balls
Calories83 kcal
Cost $ 0.20 per ball
Equipment
- 2 Mixing bowls
- 1 Rubber Spatula
- 1 cookie scoop
- 1 baking sheet
- 1 freezer
- 1 Refrigerator
Ingredients
For the cookie dough balls:
- 16 oz low-fat cottage cheese Substitute this with Greek yogurt if you prefer.
- ½ cup sugar-free maple syrup if you are not on a keto diet, use regular maple syrup. Honey will also work!
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract Or, try almond extract.
- 2 ⅔ cups almond flour If you have a nut allergy, try oat flour instead.
- ½ cup isolate vanilla protein powder Any flavor of protein powder can be used.
- A dash of ground cinnamon Alternatively, try allspice, cardamom, nutmeg, or cloves.
- ⅓ cup creamy peanut butter preferably ‘no sugar added’ - You can also use almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, or tahini.
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips (I used semisweet chocolate chips but you can use milk chocolate. If you are on a keto diet, use keto or sugar-free chocolate)
For dipping and topping (OPTIONAL):
- 1.5 cups chocolate chips or more, for dipping (I used semisweet chocolate chips but you can use milk chocolate. If you are on a keto diet, use keto or sugar-free chocolate)
- 1 ½ teaspoon raw coconut oil
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter melted (for drizzling), preferably "no sugar added"
- Sea salt flakes
Instructions
- To make the cookie dough protein balls, blend the cottage cheese, maple syrup, and vanilla extract in a food processor or high-speed blend until creamy.
- Transfer to a large bowl and add the almond flour, protein powder, cinnamon, and peanut butter, mixing until forming a homogeneous mixture.
- Fold the chocolate chips into the raw dough and roll them into balls. Use a cookie dough scoop as a measurement!
- Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper and lay the protein balls apart on it. Freeze them for about 20-30 minutes, or until set.
- At this point, you can enjoy them or dip them in chocolate.
- To dip them in chocolate, combine chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Melt the chocolate according to the instructions in the package, about 1-2 minutes in 30-second intervals. Stir until smooth.
- Dip the frozen protein balls into the melted chocolate, shaking off excess dripping chocolate. Place them onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate them for 5 minutes or until the chocolate is set.
- Then, drizzle them with melted peanut butter, using a fork. Sprinkle them with sea salt flakes and refrigerate them for about 5 minutes or until peanut butter is set. Enjoy!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Because the chocolate topping is optional, the nutritional values don't include it in the calculation.
STORAGE
- Fridge: Keep extra protein balls in an airtight container for up to 7 days in the fridge.
- Freezer: These protein balls can be frozen for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container or bag.
- Prep ahead: You can make a batch and store it in the fridge or freezer for a grab-and-go snack during the week.
Nutrition
Calories: 83kcal | Carbohydrates: 4.7g | Protein: 4.1g | Fat: 5.9g | Saturated Fat: 1.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.6g | Cholesterol: 1.7mg | Sodium: 40mg | Potassium: 21.4mg | Fiber: 1.1g | Sugar: 0.7g | Vitamin A: 14.1IU | Calcium: 23.3mg | Iron: 0.5mg
** Nutrition labels on easyanddelish.com are for educational purposes only. This info is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate, since the nutrition content of recipes can vary based on ingredient brand or source, portion sizes, recipe changes/variations, and other factors. We suggest making your own calculations using your preferred calculator, based on which ingredients you use, or consulting with a registered dietitian to determine nutritional values more precisely.
Please note that health-focused and diet information provided on easyanddelish.com is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Consult with your doctor or other qualified health professional prior to initiating any significant change in your diet or exercise regimen, or for any other issue necessitating medical advice.
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