Are you looking for a low carb protein balls recipe that actually tastes good? Look no further – these cookie dough protein balls are incredible! With a similar flavor and texture as a peanut butter cookie, these almond flour protein balls are made with only good quality ingredients – no oats, gluten-free and low-carb.
Tired of “healthy snacks” that taste like paste? Many mass-produced protein bars and snacks typically include dozens of weird ingredients, are really expensive and taste terrible.
Instead of spending your hard-earned money on protein bars that aren’t worth it, make your own low carb protein bites at home. Guaranteed to taste amazing, these cookie dough protein bites are so much better than anything store-bough and best of all, only need 7 ingredients!
Ingredients you’ll need to make low carb protein balls
Here’s a quick-reference check list of the ingredients you’ll need to make these protein balls, as well as where to find the ingredients:
- Almond Meal/Flour – Almond flour is made of ground almonds instead of grain. This makes these protein bites low-carb. You can find almond flour in the baking section near the other flours and sugar. Costco now offers large bags of almond flour at a great price.
- Peanut butter – I like the Kirkland Creamy Organic peanut butter at Costco. It’s a fantastic price and the only ingredient in this nut butter is organic peanuts and salt. You could also use almond butter in this recipe. Check out my post of the 15 Favorite Things I Buy at Costco for Healthy Meals and Snacks.
- Honey – honey is how these protein balls are sweetened. The stickiness of the honey is also the way these protein balls hold their shape.
- Vanilla Protein Powder – I use and love Orgain Organic Vanilla Protein Powder. It’s great in smoothies and I’ve also mixed it into muffins as well.
- Vanilla extract – the vanilla gives these protein balls a great cookie dough flavor.
- Salt – I wouldn’t recommend leaving this out. The salt provides necessary balance of the sweet flavors.
- Chocolate Chips – to keep these protein balls refined sugar free, I used no sugar added chocolate chips. For this recipe I used Lily’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Baking Chips. You can find Lily’s chocolate at most grocery stores and at Target.
For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the post for the recipe. Thanks!
Ingredient Substitions and Recommendations:
- Cashew, Almond Butter, Sunflower Butter – either of these can replace the peanut butter. The flavor profile will be slightly different, but still delicious.
- Protein Powder – you can swap the vanilla protein powder for another flavor, like chocolate, coconut or another preferred flavor. Unflavored collagen peptide powder is also another good substitute.
- White Chocolate Chips or Peanut Butter Chips – swapping out a different type of chocolate is a great way to slightly change the flavor profile.
- Coconut or Chopped Nuts – stirring in some coconut or chopped nuts, like almonds or pecans would be a great way to add in some texture and crunch.
How to make cookie dough protein balls – step by step
Making homemade protein balls is very simple, need only one bowl, just 7 ingredients and less than 10 minutes to mix together.
Start by add the almond flour, peanut butter, protein powder, honey, vanilla and salt to a mixing bowl. Mix these ingredients together well with a rubber scraper until a thick dough forms.
Add in chocolate chips to the dough and mix together well. The mixture will be thick like cookie dough.
Nutrition and Macros for these cookie dough protein bites
According to MyFitnessPal app, these cookie dough protein bites have 104 calories per serving, 6.9g of fat, 4.1g of protein, 1.1 g of fiber and 7.8g of carbs.
Love a great protein snack? Check out my friend Randa’s recipe for Protein Rice Krispie Treats at Randa Nutrition.
What are the healthiest chocolate chips for almond flour protein balls?
I’ve tried a number of chocolate chips and chocolate chunks. Here are three that have no refined sugar that taste good.
- Lily’s Dark Chocolate Baking Chips – sweetened with Stevia, these chocolate chips taste great. Lily’s also make semi-sweet chocolate chips, white chocolate chips, and even peanut butter chips, all without refined sugar. You can find these at several grocery stores and at Target.
- Lakanto Sugar Free Chocolate Chips – these chocolate chips are sweetened with monk fruit and also contain no refined sugar. You can find them at Whole Foods and Amazon.
- Hu Chocolate Baking Chips – these are the most expensive of the three, but also the best tasting! You can find Hu Chocolate at Target and many other grocery stores. They also make refined sugar free chocolate bars that are incredible!
How do I form protein bites with almond flour?
To form the protein balls, the easiest way to make uniform bites is to use a cookie scoop. Simply scoop the dough using the scoop, then release the dough into your hands. Roll the dough into a ball. I also use this same cookie scoop for my Peanut Butter Protein Balls recipe.
Place the balls on a sheet pan that has been lined with parchment paper or waxed paper. This will prevent the bites from sticking to the pan when frozen.
FAQ’s for making cookie dough protein bites
Yes, protein balls are protein bites are the same snack, just named differently. Both refer to no-bake, bite-sized snacks made with protein powder, nut butter and a flour base. This recipw works either way you roll them, and both terms are used interchangably throughout this post.
A vanilla-flavored protein powder works best because it enhances that classic cookie dough flavor. I use and love Orgain Organic Vanilla Protein Powder because it blends smoothly and isn’t overly sweet. Whey, casein, or plant-based protein all work, but keep in mind that different brands absorb moisture differently. If your dough feels too dry, add an extra teaspoon of peanut butter. If it’s too sticky, add a bit more almond flour.
Yes – you can substitute protein powder with additional almond flour at a 1:1 ratio. The bites will have slighly less protein per serving but will still hold together well and tastes delicious. Collagen peptides are another great swap and blend seamlessly into the dough without affecting the flavor or texture.
Any creamy nut or seed butter works as a direct substitute. Almond butter gives a mild, neutral flavor. Cashew butter is closest to that classic cookie dough taste. Sunflower seed butter is the best nut-free option and works well for school safe snacks. Sunflower seed butter is the best nut-free option and works well for a school-safe snack. Whatever you use, make sure it’s a natural, drippy-style butter with no added oils – this helps the dough come together properly.
Yes – this recipe is naturally gluten-free because it uses almond flour instead of wheat flour. Just make sure any protein powder you use is certified gluten-free. All other ingredients in this recipe – peanut butter, honey, vanilla, chocolate chips – are gluten-free as written.
These protein balls are low-carb because they’re low in sugar and use almond flour, but they aren’t strickly keto as written. To make them keto-friendly, swap the honey for a sugar-free sweetener, like monk-fruit syrup and use sugar-free chocolate chips, like Lily’s. Each ball has approximately 7-8g of carbs in the standard recipe.
What’s the best way to store protein balls?
These protein balls are best stored in the freezer. Once you have scooped and rolled the protein bites, place them on a sheet pan that has been lined with parchment paper. Freeze uncovered for 1-2 hours.
Once the bites are frozen, transfer all of the bites to a freezer container or a freezer zip-loc bag. Kept frozen, the protein balls will keep for up to 3 months frozen.
Why do my protein bites stick together in the freezer?
If you place your protein bites in a freezer bag or container immediately after rolling them (they are still room temperature), the bites will stick together in the freezer.
To prevent the balls from sticking together, freeze the balls on a sheet pan before placing them in the freezer. (see photo above) When they are placed in a freezer container already frozen, they will not stick together.
Can I keep low carb protein balls in the refrigerator?
Homemade protein balls can be stored in the refrigerator. Store the bites in a meal prep container or any other resealable container. Kept refrigerated, the protein balls will keep for up to 14 days.
Love using meal prep containers? Me too! Check out my post for my Favorite Meal Prep Containers.
More high-high protein snack recipes you’ll love:
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Video
Cookie Dough Protein Bites with Almond Flour – No Bake, No Oats
Equipment
- Cookie Scoop Great for making uniform cookies and protein balls. Just scoop and roll!
- Mixing Bowls These stainless steel mixing bowls are an essential cooking tool for every kitchen.
- Rubber Scrapers These Cuisinart rubber scraper spatulas are fantastic for fillings, batters, and so much more!
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond flour
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter or creamy almond butter
- 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder or unflavored collagen protein
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup no sugar added chocolate chips like Lily's
Instructions
- To a mixing bowl, add the almond flour, nut butter, protein powder, honey, vanilla and salt. Using a rubber scraper, mix the ingredients well until well incorporated. Dough will be thick.
- Add in the chocolate chips and stir to incorporate into the dough.
- Using a cookie scoop, scoop out dough and roll into balls. Place the balls on a sheet pan covered with parchment paper or waxed paper (so the balls don't stick to the pan.) Once all the dough has been rolled into balls, freeze the balls for 1-2 hours.
- Store the protein balls in a freezer container or zip-lock freezer bag in the freezer.
Notes
Nutrition
I just made these! I love using almond flour as an alternative to rolled oats! Flavor and consistency as perfect! I pulsed the ingredients in my food processor a few times and it came out perfect! I used a thin coat of coconut oil for my measuring cups for the peanut butter and honey, and it’s so hot out already, the ingredients literally fell out of the measuring cups! Thanks so much for the recipe!