You seriously need to give these chocolate peanut butter protein balls a try. Once you bite into the chocolate, there is a hidden peanut butter layer, which gives you the best of both worlds.
Similar to the chocolate peanut butter protein bars, I only use six ingredients to make these and it is very easy because there is no baking involved.
These are fantastic for an instant post-workout snack or you can simply eat them as a snack which gives you extra protein.
How to make these protein balls?
1) Main Ingredients
All-Natural Peanut Butter: The highlight ingredient is the peanut butter, so make sure it is a smooth quality version. MyProtein tastes great and is good value for money.
Vanilla Casein Protein Powder: I use the bulk powders version which I find very useful. You can use casein or whey protein powder, but I prefer casein. If you do not have protein powder, you can still make this recipe and follow the instructions as normal. I just add protein powder for extra protein – without protein powder each ball would be around: 137 calories and 4.5 grams protein.
Honey: I use honey for my sweetener but there are many alternatives out there which you can use.
Coconut Oil: The coconut oil makes it easier for mixing the peanut butter dough.
Greek Yogurt: This ingredient is optional but I find it very handy because it helps you mix the peanut butter dough which eventually forces you to use your hands.
90% Dark Chocolate: This time I bought Lindt’s 90% dark chocolate. It is very strong, by the way, so if you do not like dark chocolate I would suggest using milk chocolate or a variation that you like. I choose dark chocolate because it is more macro-friendly and oddly enough I like the strong taste.
2) Method
Melt the dark chocolate:
- In a saucepan, boil water and place a bowl on top to melt the chocolate. This will slowly melt the chocolate and ensure it does not burn.
Make the peanut butter protein balls
- In a large bowl, add the peanut butter, honey, greek yogurt and coconut oil, and stir to combine.
- Add the protein powder, scoop at a time, and you may need to use your hands to knead into a ball.
- Prepare the protein balls and place them in a container.
Combine
- Place the protein balls into the bowl of melted chocolate and place them on a baking sheet.
- Refrigerate and allow up to two hours for them to fully set.
Why you will love these?
Macro-friendly: One protein ball is around 161 calories and they are more filling than they appear. These usually stop me snacking on chocolate bars too which I find handy.
Pre or post workout snack: Before the lockdown, I would prep these and I would eat them two hours before going to the gym after work. They are energy balls as much as protein balls. Also, they are good to eat immediately after a workout or run, when you need to instantly fuel your body.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls
Ingredients
- 90 g Smooth Peanut Butter
- 60 g Vanilla Casein Protein Powder
- 30 g Greek Yogurt
- 30 g Honey
- 1 tbsp Coconut Oil
- 100 g Dark Chocolate I chose 90%
Instructions
Melt Chocolate
- In a saucepan, boil water and place a bowl on top to melt the chocolate. This will slowly melt the chocolate and ensure it does not burn.
Peanut Butter Protein Balls
- In a large bowl, add the peanut butter, honey, greek yogurt and coconut oil, and stir to combine.
- Add the protein powder, scoop at a time, and you may need to use your hands to knead into ball.
- Prepare the protein balls and place in a container.
Combine
- Place the protein balls into the bowl of melted chocolate and place them on a baking sheet.
- Refrigerate and allow up to two hours for them to fully set.
Notes
- For meal prep snack purposes, refrigerate up to 7-10 days.
Nutrition
Spicy Meal Prep is a food blog and resource for busy people and home cooks around the world. What started as a solo blog has now turned into a website of healthy recipes and home cooking tips written by home cooks, chefs and nutritionists around the world. Our mission is to make healthy cooking easy, with realistic recipes that you will actually cook and balanced meals that you can fit into your meal plan.