My chocolate protein balls are a delicious keto snack that comes together in minutes. I think they taste like fudgy brownies. Only 5 ingredients and almost 9 grams of protein!
I have been intentionally adding more protein to my diet while reducing the fat. I find that it provides me with a steady stream of energy while keeping my blood sugar levels stable. It has also helped me build lean muscle in the gym.
These cocoa protein balls are a delicious way to increase my (and your) protein intake. Think about it - a protein boost that's dessert at the same time! And it is also low in carbs! It is a real win-win.
I have been snacking on these balls all week and it has been enjoyable every single day.
Also try my chocolate protein pudding.
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What I Love About This Recipe
Quick and easy. You only need a few ingredients, a bowl and a fork. No need for a blender or food processor! The peanut butter balls are ready to eat straight away.
Rich chocolate flavor. It's like munching on bite-sized brownies or fudgy chocolate cookie dough.
Dessert with health benefits. The balls contain healthy fats that keep me satiated. I am watching my sugar levels and follow a low carb diet. That's why I have made them sugar free by using a zero carb sweetener.
Ingredients
Let's talk ingredients. You'll find exact quantities in the recipe card at the bottom of the post, but I wanted to give you a bit of extra info right here:
- Peanut Butter - Peanut butter is naturally high in protein. I used the crunchy deep roasted peanut butter by Manilife, which contains only peanuts and salt.
- Protein Powder - I used pea protein powder. This is acting as the "flour" in our recipe and binds the peanut butter.
- Cocoa Powder - Must be 100% unsweetened cocoa powder. Raw cacao powder would also work well.
- Sweetener - I recommend allulose. The brand I used is called Health Garden, and it is an allulose and monk fruit blend.
- Vanilla Extract - Optional, but recommended. Adds a warm note.
- Water and oil - (not pictured) As needed to form a smooth dough.
Important - if your peanut butter does not contain salt, don't forget to add a pinch of sea salt to the protein balls! It really lifts the flavor.
Instructions
It is simple to make this chocolate protein balls recipe. Here are the basic steps.
Scroll down to the recipe card for the detailed method with ingredient amounts, timings and nutrition information.
STEP 1
Stir together all ingredients with a fork in a bowl.
The dough should be soft and easy to work with. See my top tips below.
STEP 2
Roll into 6 balls. (For equal-sized balls, form a large ball and cut it into 6 slices.)
Option to roll the balls in crushed peanuts.
Katrin's Top Tips
Natural peanut butter. I think that the best peanut butter contains just 1 ingredient - peanuts. Plus perhaps salt. Stir it before using so it is nice and smooth.
Tweak for the perfect consistency. Peanut butter brands differ in textures, and so do protein powders. This means that you may have to tweak the protein cacao balls dough:
- Too dry? Add water or almond milk to loosen the mixture. I added 2 tablespoons of water to mine, plus 1 teaspoon of olive oil.
- Too runny? Add more protein powder if the mixture is too soft to form balls.
Using different Protein Powders
I have tested the balls with whey protein powder and with whey protein powder. Both version taste good. Hemp protein powder could be also a good alternative. It has a stronger flavor, but the chocolate covers it nicely.
I also tried the chocolate protein bites with collagen powder. This made the end result softer and I ended up adding a little almond flour so the protein balls had a good consistency.
Egg white protein powder does not taste as good in the recipe. Despite cocoa being a strong flavor, I could detect the taste. Perhaps it could work if you added more sweetener or vanilla.
Variations
Peanut butter - Swap out the peanut butter with any other nut butter. Almond butter, cashew butter, hazelnut butter or sunflower seed butter. Use crunchy or smooth.
Sweetener - Any sugar free sweetener is fine to use, as long as it is powdered. This could be erythritol, xylitol or Bocha Sweet. Liquid allulose is also fine.
Add-ins - Try chocolate chips, crushed nuts, cocoa nibs, chia seeds or shredded coconut. These options are great especially if you use smooth nut butter.
Toppings - I rolled some of the protein balls in crushed salted peanuts and some in desiccated coconut. I also tested rolling them in cocoa powder, but this did not work so well. The fat in the balls made it look sludgy.
Recipe FAQs
This protein ball recipe was not developed for baking. For a baked protein treat, try my keto protein bars.
You could use honey, coconut sugar (make sure it is powdered) or even dates. Soak the dates first in water and then mix the ingredients in a food processor to combine everything into a smooth dough.
I have not tested the recipe with chocolate protein powder. But, you can use it for chocolate protein balls! Use 3 tablespoons and omit the cocoa powder. Some brands already contain sweeteners, so you may need less additional sweetener, too.
1 ball is 1 serving. Each ball weighs about 35 grams. It took me 4 very enjoyable bites to finish each one.
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
They also freeze well. Make sure to freeze the balls in a single layer so they don't stick together. Once frozen, put them into a freezer bag and store for up to 3 months.
More High Protein Recipes
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Recipe
Chocolate Protein Balls (Sugar Free, Keto)
from Sugar Free LondonerNote: The servings slider only changes the first amount in each line and not any subsequent amounts. Please make your own calculations where necessary.
Ingredients
- ½ cup peanut butter crunchy, 130g
- 2 tablespoon pea protein powder or whey protein powder, 16g
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder unsweetened, 8g
- 1 tablespoon allulose or powdered sweetener of choice, to taste
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
Add as needed
- water to thin, I used 2 tablespoons
- olive oil I used 1 teaspoon
Instructions
- Put all ingredients into a small mixing bowl and stir with a fork until combined. Add water and oil as needed to form a uniform dough.***see notes
- Roll into 6 balls. For equal-sized balls, form one large ball and cut it into 6 slices.
- Option to roll the balls in a bowl with crushed peanuts.
Notes
- ***The amount of water and oil depends on the consistency of the peanut butter. Add in in increments of 1 teaspoon.
- If the peanut butter is unsalted, add a pinch of salt.
- Option to add sugar free chocolate chips or cocoa nibs into the dough
- Taste and increase sweetener to suit your personal preference
Lyubov
Delicious snacks
Gladys
Hi there Katrin,
I read this recipe and my brain is thinking COOKIES!
In your expert keto opinion…could these be baked?
Just wondering,
Gladys, Toronto, Canada
Katrin Nürnberger
I have a recipe for keto protein bars, which I baked. It is quite similar. I did not develop these for baking. But, you could follow the instructions in the protein bars recipe and give it a try.