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About This Recipe
Low calorie protein balls with the classic tastes of a Monster Cookie! The sweet, nutty flavor combined with the perfect thick oaty texture and mixed with sweet candy chocolate is just *chef’s kiss*!
These low calorie protein balls are just the best quick treat for your sweet tooth! They’re lightened up by using a little less peanut butter than traditional recipes but still have all the same great taste.
They make the perfect grab-and-go snack before or after your workout, as an after lunch treat or bedtime dessert!
If you’re looking for more easy quick sweet snacks, be sure to check out these Oatmeal Cashew Cookie Protein Balls, Oreo Cookie Dough Bites and these super popular Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Protein Bites!
Why You’ll Love These Healthy Protein Balls
- Low-calorie monster cookie indulgence that will “wow” your taste buds!
- Only 90 calories per ball and over 3 grams of protein each!
- Perfect for a quick healthy snack, afternoon sweet or bedtime dessert!
- No baking required! Just mix, chill and enjoy this simple recipe!
- Made with healthy, simple ingredients that can all be found at your local grocery store.
- Rolled oats – Rolled oats work best for thick oat texture. Quick oats will yield a slightly different texture but you can sub in a pinch.
- Protein powder – I used PEScience vanilla protein powder (code Laurenfitfoodie to save!) Protein powders can vary in consistency and some will absorb liquid more easier than others. This might cause your cookie dough mixture to seem a little dry or crumbly. Just add a little water or milk, about a teaspoon at a time, until it gets to cookie dough consistency. Add liquid slowly – you also don’t want to over due it!
- Honey – can also use pure maple syrup or sugar-free pancake syrup.
- Unsweetened applesauce – you can replace the applesauce with canned pumpkin or additional peanut butter or honey. Or you can just omit and add a few splashes of milk or water as needed to get the balls rollable.
- Peanut butter – Peanut butter is classic for monster cookie dough, but you can use almond butter and cashew butter too. If you have a nut allergy, sunflower seed butter works great, too.
- Vanilla extract
- Mini M&M’s
- Other optional mix-ins: mini chocolate chips, chia seeds, chopped nuts, ground flax seeds, hemp seeds, shredded coconut, etc.
To make vegan: use a vegan protein powder and sub honey for pure maple syrup. The only part that is a little more tricky is the M&Ms since they are not vegan. Here are some alternatives: Are M&Ms Vegan? They Are Not! (5 Alternatives for 2022). You could also use dairy-free mini chocolate chips in their place.
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 mini M&M’S) to a food processor and mix until all ingredients are combined.
2. Add a few splashes of water if needed if the mixture is too dry to roll into balls.
3. Fold in the mini M&M’s (save some to stick to the outside if desired).
4. Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to scoop out (about a heaping tablespoon in size) and roll into balls with your hands. Chill balls for 30 minutes before enjoying.
Rolling Tip
I like to wear disposable gloves when rolling these for easy clean up! Or you can dampen your palms with a little water or nonstick spray to help prevent the sticking.
Make These Monster Cookie Protein Balls into Bars!
Make these low calorie monster cookie protein balls into bars! Instead of rolling the mixture into balls, you can press the cookie dough in a pan. Refrigerate or freeze for about 30 minutes or so, then cut into bars!
What makes these easy protein balls low calorie?
We’re using about 1/3 less peanut butter in this recipe than in many other protein ball recipes. Peanut butter is great, it’s just pretty calorie dense. These protein balls still have all the delicious peanut butter flavor, just using less! To make these balls even lower calorie, you can sub the the honey for sugar-free pancake syrup.
Why are my protein balls dry and crumbly?
Don’t worry, 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 omit the protein powder?
Yes, you can just leave the protein powder out and be just fine! Or you can replace with peanut butter powder for some extra peanut butter goodness!
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!
Monster Cookie Protein Balls (Low Calorie)
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats (160g)
- 1/3 cup vanilla protein powder (40g) can omit or replace with peanut butter powder
- 1/4 cup honey (84g)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce (60g) see notes for substitutions
- 1/4 cup peanut butter (56g)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup mini M&M's
- Other optional mix-ins: mini chocolate chips, chopped nuts, flax seed, shredded coconut, etc.
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Instructions
- Add all the ingredients (except the mini M&M’S) to a food processor and mix until all ingredients are combined. Add a few splashes of water if needed if the mixture is too dry to roll into balls.
- Fold in the mini M&M’s (save some to stick to the outside if desired).
- Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to scoop out (about a heaping tablespoon in size) and roll into balls with your hands. Rolling tip so it doesn't stick to your hands: I like to wear disposable gloves for easy clean up! Or you can dampen your palms with a little water or nonstick spray to help prevent the sticking.
- Chill balls for 30 minutes before enjoying. Keep balls stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 1 week or in the freezer for 3 months.
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.
