Snack healthier with these delicious Chocolate Coconut Protein Balls -- they're naturally sweetened, gluten free, dairy free, and guilt free!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword energy, healthy, protein, snack
Prep Time 10 minutesminutes
Cook Time 1 minuteminute
Total Time 30 minutesminutes
Servings 20balls
Calories 118kcal
Author Stacey aka the Soccer Mom
Cost $10
Ingredients
1 1/2cupsdates
1 1/4cupschopped walnuts
5tablespoonsraw cacao powder
3tablespoonspure maple syrup
1cupshredded coconut
1tablespooncoconut oil
2tablespoonswarm waterif needed
Instructions
To make the Batter:
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.
Add the dates to a food processor and rough chop until combined (but a few walnut chunks still remain).
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.
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.
To Make the 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.
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).
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).
Allow to set in freezer for 20-30 minutes. Store in an airtight container.
Video
Notes
Note: Nutrition information is a rough estimate only; actual values will vary based on the exact ingredients used and amount of recipe prepared.