Nutritious Almond Joy Protein Balls are naturally sweetened and combine delicious flavors of coconut, almond, and chocolate in bite-sized healthy snacks. Energy bites are perfect on the go or pop them in your mouth when the candy bar cravings hit!
Love high protein snacks? You’ll also love these homemade protein bars, peanut butter protein balls, and protein pancakes!
Table of contents
Almond Joy Energy Bites
Sink your teeth into one of these no bake healthy truffles and you’re in heaven!
The combination of chocolate, coconut, and almond is why I love an Almond Joy bar and why I wanted to make a protein ball recipe with the same flavors.
Healthy chocolate coconut balls and no bake protein balls check some boxes too and are equally as addicting energy bites!
I’m not going to lie and pretend that healthy Almond Joy energy balls taste exactly like a candy bar. I didn’t melt a pound of chocolate over coconut flakes, but they’re as close as you can get!
They’re sweetened naturally without any dried fruit which makes these bite-sized treats soft, moist, and melt-in-your-mouth. Not dense like most other protein balls!
These easy low carb Almond Joy protein balls are a pop in your mouth snack perfect for balancing those afternoon blood sugars or to enjoy as a dessert after dinner.
You could even include them as part of your healthy cookies for Christmas!
Ingredients
With clean, paleo friendly, naturally gluten free ingredients it’s hard not to reach for one of these bites every time you pass them; with less sugar and more protein these are practically guilt free!
- Almonds: Adds the nutty, crunchy element so use whole unblanched almonds.
- Protein powder: Use a plant based protein powder. Whey powder absorbs liquid differently so the texture would be different. I like to use Sunwarrior, although I use Orgain in no bake protein cookies.
- Cacao powder: Very similar to cocoa powder, but less processed. It contains more nutritional benefits, like antioxidants. They can be used interchangeably in this recipe.
- Stevia extract: Sweetener made from the stevia plant and has no calories. You could also replace it with monk fruit extract if you have some.
- Salt: Adding a bit of salt will enhance all of the other surrounding flavors and balance the sweetness.
- Coconut oil, melted: A good fat that will add moisture and help keep the balls intact once solidified.
- Honey or maple syrup: Either one will add a yummy taste and natural sweetness. Needed to counteract the bitter cacao!
- Coconut milk in a can: Light coconut milk, but not from a carton please!
- Vanilla extract: A delicious aromatic flavor enhancer that pairs well with chocolate, almonds, and coconut!
- Unsweetened coconut flakes: You’ll need some for inside the bites as well as to coat them. Maybe try toasting them first for a little extra something!
How to Make Almond Joy Protein Balls
In only 30 minutes or less, you can enjoy a warm almond joy energy bite! It’s the perfect chocolate treat after lunch or enjoy them cold when an afternoon energy slump hits.
- To the food processor, toss in the almonds, protein powder, cacao powder, stevia extract, and salt. Pulse until a fine powder forms. Leave it there for a second.
- In a small bowl, stir coconut oil, honey, coconut milk, and vanilla. Add it to the powder mixture in the food processor and pulse again until a smooth dough forms. This will take a few minutes.
- Once you’ve got what looks like decent-looking cookie dough, add 1/2 cup of coconut flakes and process for 1-2 minutes.
- Sprinkle remaining coconut flakes on a shallow dish. Scoop a golf ball-sized amount of the dough and roll it with your hand into a proper ball. Coat it in flakes and repeat until you’re out of dough.
Serve these as breakfast alongside some fresh fruit and wash it down with this almond smoothie! A pre or post-workout snack, an after school treat, or a quick and easy dessert.
Tips for Making Energy Bites
- Use a powerful food processor for making this simple protein balls recipe. Not a blender, not even a Vitamix or Magic Bullet. There is not enough liquid to move the dough around in a blender.
- Stop and scrape the walls of your food processor to make sure everything is incorporated and you don’t have weird chunks of unblended things in there!
- Use as pure and clean ingredients as possible! Something like organic vegan protein powder, organic unsulphured coconut flakes, and organic coconut milk. Do your best and what you can. Every little step counts!
Variations
- Walnuts, peanuts, cashews, or pistachios
- Flaxseed
- Chia seeds or hemp hearts
- Oats
- Chocolate chips
- Creamy nut butter
- Seed butter
How to Store
These will be good for 2 weeks in the fridge or frozen for 3 months.
I do love them warm and fresh best, so when I take them out of the fridge I like to pop them in the microwave for a few seconds.
FAQs
Add just a slight bit of water at a time until your mixture is wet enough to stay compact. You could also add a bit of maple syrup or honey to bind it if you’re ok with a sweeter-tasting ball.
I wouldn’t. Whey powders tend to absorb liquid differently so you may end up with a different texture. If you’re ok with it, and whey protein is all you have, then go for it. Either that or completely substitute it for a nut butter instead.
I haven’t tried this before, but I don’t see why not. Try oat milk, cashew milk, or even almond milk!
Loaded with protein, healthy fats, antioxidants, and plenty of vitamins and minerals these gluten free, dairy free and naturally sweetened protein balls are my favorite things to make and are just as convenient as grabbing a Luna protein bar from the cupboard!
More High Protein Snack Recipes
- Protein cookies
- Healthy rum balls
- Chocolate protein cookies
- Banana protein muffins
- Cacao nibs brownie bites
- Protein banana bread
You can also check out my full list of no bake desserts and healthy snacks for more inspiration!
Easy Low Carb Almond Joy Protein Balls
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup almonds
- 1 cup plant based protein powder I used Sunwarrior*
- 1/4 cup cacao powder
- 1 tbsp stevia extract
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp coconut oil melted
- 5 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 cup coconut milk light (canned)
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes + more for coating
Instructions
- In a food processor, add almonds, protein powder, cacao powder, stevia extract, salt and process until fine powder forms.
- In a small bowl, stir together coconut oil, honey, coconut milk, vanilla and add to a food processor. Process until smooth dough forms, stopping and scraping the walls of a food processor. It took me about 3-5 minutes and my food processor needed a few breaks. Then add 1/2 cup of coconut flakes and process until combined, 1-2 minutes.
- Place some coconut flakes on a plate, scoop golf size amount of dough, roll with your hands into a ball and coat in the flakes. Alternatively, you could use a bag with small amount of coconut flakes in it and shake to coat the protein ball. Repeat until you run out of dough.
Notes
- Store: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. I liked these protein balls fresh and warm the best! So, when I want one, I warm it up in a microwave for a few seconds.
- Freeze: You could also freeze the balls for up to 3 months.
- *I do not recommend using whey protein powder as it absorbs liquids differently than plant-based protein.
- Use a powerful food processor for making this simple protein balls recipe. Not a blender, not even a Vitamix or Magic Bullet. There is not enough liquid to move the dough around in a blender.
- Stop and scrape the walls of your food processor to make sure everything is incorporated and you don’t have weird chunks of unblended things in there!
I am a man, and I love coconut. However, I don’t care for vegan protein blend, the pea protein is bitter and chalky. Whey protein for men. Otherwise look delish!
You know, plain pea protein is not tasty, I agree. Try Vega Sport Performance Vanilla – to die for! I swear! That’s the only protein powder I use now. It’s plant based and delicious!!! Pricey but with supplements you get what you pay for IMHO.
What temperature should I set my oven for and for how long? Thank you!
These require no baking. Didn’t I just make your day?!:) Just roll into balls and store in the fridge.
Olena, i haven’t had a chance to make this yet, but as you may know I’ve already tried them at work and girl, I should say one of the most delicious edible things I’ve had in my life 😀 Great job!
LOL. I have heard the balls were approved by you. That’s great. Thank you! They taste even better warmed up right before ready to eat. I’m sure Alex didn’t bother but just a tip.:)
Thanks! I’ll definitely keep that tip in mind 🙂
Hi could I use almond butter, pea protein powder, cacao, salt and stevia? Plus the coconut. Or do you have a similar recipe that uses almond butter?
Thanks!
Have to use almonds and liquid sweetener and yes to the rest. Have peanut butter protein balls.
Hi! These look so good! Lu’s my protein powder is so yummy and chocolaty ( Rockin Wellness), I can’t wait to get the almonds to make this. I do have cashews and walnuts butbinthink it would take away from the taste? Anyway my question is, if I leave out the stevia would it make a big difference? I could add coconut palm sugar instead but I’m thinking no sub would be ok. I try to avoid all artificial sweeteners. I would use themake syrup instead of honey, maybe I’ll just add a drop more? What do you think? Thanks!
Stevia is a natural extract not artificial. You might be confusing it with Splenda ?! You can use extra honey or sugar to replace stevia. As for the nuts, walnuts and cashews are fattier so the only thing your protein balls batter might be more runny but they should solidify in the fridge.
yummy these look amazing!! Cant wait to try them! I love healthy chocolatey treats!
Hi Olena! Can I substitute almond meal for the almonds?
Yes!
These look amazing! I always prefer homemade protein snacks over store-bought. So much better for you too! And I appreciate what you said about “every little bit counts” -it’s so true. Luckily clean ingredients are becoming more and more accessible, even in small towns like where I am! Can’t wait to give these a go. Cheers 🙂
Hi Allison! I stopped buying any commercial protein snacks because all of them are high in sugar and none contain clean and organic ingredients to my liking. None, I can’t find any! And I like to be real – it’s so hard to eat 100% organic and clean today because of real life and budget. Let me know how you like these. Nice to meet you!
Just made these. Amazing!! Perfect guilt free treat when you are craving sweets. Thanks for the recipe.
Looks delicious and easy to make, thank you dear Olena
You just blew me away with the recipe.
Coconut + chocolate = true love
But men don’t really like coconut? Do they? You know, I have yet to talk to one male who likes, (not will tolerate it) but likes coconut.
More for me I say!!
Thanks for the recipe =)
My man likes everything, Laura! LOL. I’m yet to find what he doesn’t eat which is amazing. Thank you.
I love coconut and chocolate but guess what? My dad is a coconut lover so I do know one guy that loves coconut. These look so good I should make him some 🙂
I love coconut and use it for a variety of recipes