Healthy Chocolate Coconut Protein Balls

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Eating right couldn’t be easier (or tastier!) with these delicious Chocolate Coconut Protein Balls! A simple, healthy make-ahead breakfast or energy boosting grab-n-go snack.

Dark Chocolate Coconut Protein Balls

With a new school year on the way, it seems like our family is busier than ever! It’s a little trickier to eat healthy when you’re in a hurry (anyone else feel like you’re running circles in the mornings??) However, with a little prep, you can stay ahead and have a protein-packed snack ready to go when you need it.

I love this simple recipe for chocolate coconut protein balls because it’s easy to make and can be kept for days in the fridge or freezer. Plus, they taste amazing and kids will eat them like dessert!

These healthy protein bites are gluten free, dairy free, and contain no refined sugar!

Related: If you’re looking for something with fewer carbs, try our Peanut Butter Low Carb Protein Balls – only 3 grams net carbs each!

Chocolate Coconut Protein Balls Ingredients

I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience in re-creating this recipe; disclosure policy available here.

• 1 1/2 cups dates
• 1 1/4 cups chopped walnuts
• 5 tablespoons raw cacao powder
• 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons warm water (if needed)

A full printable copy of this recipe to make chocolate protein balls with coconut oil is available at the bottom of the post.

How to Make Healthy Chocolate Coconut Protein Balls

We broke this coconut protein balls recipe into steps so it’s super easy to follow! First, watch the quick video demo to see how to make our chocolate coconut energy balls, then keep reading for photo step-by-step directions.

Click video to play:

To make the batter:

Place the dates in a bowl of warm water for twenty minutes to soften (this makes them easier to blend!). While they’re soaking, grind the walnuts in a food processor. Leave a few chunks for texture.

Add the dates to a food processor and rough chop until combined (but a few walnut chunks still remain).

TIP: The Hamilton Beach “Big Mouth” food processor is our workhorse — it’s lasted YEARS of almost daily use!

If mixture is too thick and clumps up in the food processor, add 1-2 tablespoons warm water slowly (if needed) to keep blending. You may need to pause and scrape down the sides. The mixture will be very sticky.

Scrape your date/walnut batter into a large mixing bowl.

Add to bowl: 5 TB raw cacao powder, 1/4 cup + 2 TB shredded coconut (make sure you still have about 2/3 cup set aside for rolling later) and 3 TB maple syrup. Mix with a fork until everything is combined and “wet looking”. The mixture should be sticky.

Prepare for rolling your dark chocolate coconut protein balls:

Line a large plate or cutting board with parchment paper. Pour the rest (about 2/3 cup) of the shredded coconut onto another plate. Place coconut oil in a small bowl next to your work area.

Now it’s time to get messy! Grease your hands with a bit of coconut oil, grab some of the date mixture and roll it into a ball (about one inch in diameter). The coconut oil helps prevent the dough from sticking to your hands.

Once rolled, place the ball into the plate of coconut and sprinkle/roll it all about pressing down to make sure it sticks. Place the coconut covered ball onto the parchment paper.

Repeat until you run out of batter (makes 18-20 balls).

Place the protein balls in the freezer to set for thirty minutes. Store in an airtight container in the fridge to munch on and for quick grab and go snacks!

Note: Since dates don’t freeze completely, they’re safe to eat straight from the freezer!

Try this recipe next: Chocolate & Peanut Butter Keto No Bake Cookies

 Chocolate Coconut Protein Balls Recipe (Printable Copy)

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4.5 from 6 votes

Print

Dark Chocolate Coconut Protein Balls (Gluten Free & Dairy Free)

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

1 min

Total Time

30 mins

 

Imagine a delicous Mounds candy bar...rolled into a rich chocolate truffle...that's healthy! That's what you get when you make these Chocolate Coconut Protein Balls!

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: energy, healthy, protein, snack

Servings: 20 balls

Calories: 118 kcal

Author: Stacey aka the Soccer Mom

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups dates
• 1 1/4 cups chopped walnuts
• 5 tablespoons raw cacao powder
• 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons warm water if needed

Instructions

To make the Batter:

1. Place the dates in a bowl of warm water for twenty minutes to soften. While they're soaking, grind the walnuts in a food processor. Leave a few chunks for texture.

2. Add the dates to a food processor and rough chop until combined (but a few walnut chunks still remain).

3. If mixture is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons warm water slowly and keep blending. You may need to pause and scrape down the sides. The mixture will be very sticky.

4. Scrape your date/walnut batter into a large mixing bowl.
5. Add to bowl: 5 TB raw cacao powder, 1/4 cup + 2 TB shredded coconut (make sure you still have about 2/3 cup set aside for rolling later) and 3 TB maple syrup. Mix with a fork until everything is combined and "wet looking". The mixture should be sticky.

To Make the Protein Balls:

1. Line a large plate or cutting board with parchment paper. Pour the rest (about 2/3 cup) of the shredded coconut onto another plate. Place coconut oil in a small bowl next to your work area.

2. Grease your hands with a bit of coconut oil, grab some of the date mixture and roll it into a ball (about one inch in diameter). 

3. Once rolled, place the ball into the plate of coconut and sprinkle/roll it all about pressing down to make sure it sticks. Place the coconut covered ball onto the parchment paper.
4. Repeat until you run out of batter (makes 18-20 balls).

5. Allow to set in freezer for 20-30 minutes. Store in an airtight container.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Note: Nutrition information is a rough estimate only; actual values will vary based on the exact ingredients used and amount of recipe prepared.

Nutrition Facts

Dark Chocolate Coconut Protein Balls (Gluten Free & Dairy Free)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 118 Calories from Fat 63

% Daily Value*

Fat 7g11%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Sodium 12mg1%

Potassium 145mg4%

Carbohydrates 14g5%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 10g11%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin C 0.2mg0%

Calcium 17mg2%

Iron 0.6mg3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Pin Our Choc Coconut Protein Balls on Pinterest:

More of our favorite healthy meal prep recipes:

Paleo Sausage & Egg Breakfast “Muffins”

Healthy Peanut Butter Chocolate Granola Bars

• Author
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Stacey aka the Soccer Mom

Stacey is the creator of The Soccer Mom Blog, a Houston Texas mom blog that focuses on positive living for women and families. She loves to share real food recipes, money-saving tips, parenting encouragement, kids activities, DIY tutorials, home hacks, fitness, and so much more! To get to know Stacey even better, click here.

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Last updated on December 2nd, 2019 at 01:01 pm