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About This Recipe
We all need a good no bake coconut protein balls recipe and this one checks all the boxes! Chewy oats, flakey coconut, sweet chocolate chips all encompassed in a delicious cashew butter base. They are absolutely delicious and one of my favorite healthy snacks!
Not only are the great because they’re convenient, but also because they are a delicious macro-balanced snack!
They are high protein, made with simple ingredients and healthy fats, making them the perfect choice to keep blood sugar levels staple. And keep you feeling satisfied until your next meal.
They’re also super versatile and totally customizable. You can pretty much substitute every ingredient in here and come out with completely different flavored protein bites.
Just like my Oreo Cookie Dough Bites, they’re naturally gluten-free and super easy to make vegan. You are gonna love them!
And if you want more easy protein ball recipes, check out my White Chocolate Oreo Protein Balls or my No Bake Oreo Protein Balls!
Why You’ll Love These Oatmeal Cashew Cookie Coconut Protein Balls
- Delicious healthy snack choice option!
- The chocolate + coconut + cashew butter is such a KILLER combo.
- Perfect little something to curve your afternoon sweet tooth!
- Bite-size, so perfect grab-and-go snack for snacking on the go.
- Naturally gluten-free and dairy-free (just use a dairy-free protein powder).
- Made with pantry staples – all that you can find at your local grocery store.
- Easy, quick, simple, fool-proof – and it’s No-Bake!
- Oats – I used old-fashioned oats for this recipe. You could sub for quick oats, just know the texture will be different since both oats have totally different textures. I would not use steel cut oats for this recipe.
- Protein powder – I used PEScience Gourmet Vanilla. Not all protein powders have the same consistency, so you may need to add more or less liquid depending on your protein powder. Just so you are aware, definitely not a biggie! For all PEScience products, you can use my affiliate code Laurenfitfoodie to save 10% on your purchase. Vanilla protein powder gives the most neutral taste but feel free to get creative here. To make vegan, use a plant-based protein powder.
- Cashew butter – I love the cashew butter with the coconut! But any type of nut butter works here. Peanut butter or almond butter are also great. If you have a nut allergy, try sunflower butter or another seed butter. I used American Dream Nut Butter for this recipe, but use your favorite nut butter blend. Drippy, natural peanut butter is best! Use my code Laurenfitfoodie for 10% off your purchase at American Dream!
- Pancake syrup – I used sugar-free. You could use pure maple syrup or raw honey here.
- Walnuts or cashews – Or really any nut really!
- Shredded coconut – you can use sweetened or unsweetened.
- Vanilla – to add more all-around flavor.
- Mini chocolate chips – I used mini Enjoy Life. These are my go-to chips for all of my recipes! You can use dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate, white chocolate or whatever you prefer!
- Pinch of salt – always to bring the sweetness out more!
- Almond Joy balls: Try almond butter and/or almonds instead of cashew butter and cashews/walnuts.
- Peanut butter energy balls: Use peanut butter instead of cashew butter to make peanut butter protein balls.
- Chocolate balls: Add a few teaspoons of cocoa powder to make chocolate coconut protein balls.
- Coconut bliss balls: Roll balls in extra shredded coconut or coconut flakes.
- More crunch: For more of a crunch, you can add in hemp seeds, chia seeds or raw nuts.
How To Make
The full printable recipe is below, but let me walk you through the process so you know what to expect when you’re making it!
1. Add all the ingredients (except the chocolate chips) to a food processor and mix until all ingredients are combined well (or mix together well in a large mixing bowl).
2. Then fold in the chocolate chips.
3. Use a small cookie scoop to scoop out 16 balls (about a heaping tablespoon in size), or however many you wish. After scooping, roll into balls with your hands. You can dampen your palms with a little nonstick spray to help prevent sticking.
4. Store coconut balls in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. They will keep fresh in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or frozen up to 3 months.
For best results, store coconut balls in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. They will keep fresh in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or frozen up to 3 months.
Protein Balls Too Crumble? Too Wet?
Not all protein powders have the same consistency and some will absorb liquid more easier than others. Which might cause your protein ball mixture to seem a little dry or crumbly.
No biggie! Just add a little water or milk, about a teaspoon at a time, until they are easier to roll into balls. Add liquid slowly – you also don’t want to over due it!
Can I keep these protein bites stored at room temperature?
You can. The fridge helps them firm up, but if you prefer you can store them at room temperature too. Just add to fridge for an hour and then take out and keep stored at room temperature in a sealed container.
Can I make this coconut protein ball recipe vegan?
Yes! For a vegan version of this coconut protein ball recipe, use pure maple syrup, vegan protein powder and make sure your chocolate chips are vegan-friendly.
What if my protein balls are too dry/crumbly?
No worries, this can happen! Not all protein powders have the same consistency and some will absorb liquid more easier than others, which might cause your protein ball mixture to seem a little dry or crumbly. Just add a little water or milk, about a teaspoon at a time, until they are easier to roll into balls. Add liquid slowly – you also don’t want to over due it!
Can I use a different type of oat for this recipe?
You could sub for quick oats, just know the texture will be different since both oats have totally different textures. I would not use steel cut oats for this recipe.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure leave a review, tag me on Instagram or TikTok at @LaurenFitFoodie or hashtag #LaurenFitFoodie so I can see your creations!
Oatmeal Cashew Cookie Coconut Protein Balls
Ingredients
- 1.25 cup old fashioned oats (120g)
- 1.5 scoop vanilla protein powder (45g) I used PEScience
- 1/2 cup drippy cashew butter (112g) I used American Dream
- 1/4 cup sugar-free pancake syrup (60g) sub pure maple syrup to make vegan
- 2 Tbsp chopped walnuts or cashews (15g)
- 2 Tbsp shredded sweetened coconut (15g) unsweetened works too
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
- 3 Tbsp mini chocolate chips (45g)
- Pinch of salt
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Instructions
- Add all the ingredients (except the chocolate chips) to a food processor and mix until all ingredients are combined well (or mix together well in a bowl). Then fold in the chocolate chips.
- Use a small cookie scoop to scoop out 16 balls (about a heaping tablespoon in size), or however many you wish. After scooping, roll into balls with your hands. You can dampen your palms with a little nonstick spray to help prevent sticking.
- Keep stored in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
Equipment
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition is hand-calculated and accurate. No autocalulations! However, note that values can vary based on the brands you use and if you substitute ingredients.
