As a vegetarian, I’m always trying to get more protein in. If it’s something sweet with protein, I’m even happier. My activity level isn’t what it used to be so I don’t feel like I need an energy ball. I left out any kind of nuts or seeds. I tried to keep these as lean as possible while still preserving the flavor. I eat them like a dessert or if I’m on the go and need a boost.
These are really easy to make. They don’t require any baking. The only real time they need is for the dough to sit in the refrigerator so the oats can soak up moisture.
What’s In Them?
These protein balls have no sugar added and are made with dates. I love dates! They are so sweet and caramel-y. They are also, you guessed it, high in fiber!
You can really add any kind of inclusions into the mix. Chocolate chips are my favorite. I used the 60% cocoa Ghirardelli chips. You could add dried fruit, chopped nuts, chia seeds, or even add a dash of cinnamon for extra flavor.
Peanut Butter is my nut butter of choice. I use Trader Joe’s salted creamy peanut butter. Of course you can use any kind of nut butter you like.
Protein Powder
I use a mix of Garden of Life vanilla protein and unflavored protein powder. This is not necessary and is all a matter of personal taste. I find that using all flavored protein powder is too sweet. For me using half and half is the right balance. You can also use other protein powder flavors like chocolate or berry.
These can easily be made vegan by using dairy free chocolate chips. Also, double check that your protein powder is also vegan and doesn’t contain any dairy by products.
