Protein snacks are all the rage and I am riding that delicious trend with absolute delight. Getting more protein into your diet can seem like a daunting task, so I love coming up with creative ways to make it more enjoyable. And these Cinnamon Roll Protein Balls are definitely enjoyable!
I often keep Peanut Butter Protein Balls in the fridge for quick boosts, but I decided to switch up the flavor profile. And what’s more tasty than cinnamon rolls? These little bites are soft and lightly sweetened, and just the right size for a post-workout snack or afternoon pick-me-up.
And they come together quickly and easily, no baking required! You may also want to try my Protein Cookie Dough Bark.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Sweet cinnamon flavor: Who doesn’t love cinnamon rolls? These little bites have all the flavor without the sugar high.
- Easy no bake recipe: Just mix the ingredients and roll into balls.
- Make ahead: These protein balls store well in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Portable: Pop a few in your bag as you head to the office or to the gym.
- Protein packed: 12 grams of protein per serving.
- Sugar free and low carb: No added sugar and only 3.2 grams net carbs.
Ingredient Notes
- Nut butter: I used almond butter, but you can really use any nut or seed butter in this recipe. Sunflower seed butter is a good nut-free alternative.
- Protein powder: Your favorite protein powder should work here, whether it’s whey or collagen. Different kinds may affect the consistency of the dough so be ready to adjust.
- Sweetener: Powdered sweetener works best for protein balls.
- Hemp seeds: Hemp seeds have a surprising amount of protein and add a nutty crunch to the protein balls. If you prefer, you can use more almond flour.
- Almond flour: This helps create some bulk and hold the balls together better. You can also use sunflower seed flour for a nut-free option.
- Sugar free white chocolate: A little white chocolate drizzle makes them look like cinnamon rolls.
- Coconut oil: This helps the white chocolate melt more smoothly.
- Pantry staples: Cinnamon and salt.
Overview: How to Make This Recipe
- Make the dough: Combine the almond butter, protein powder, sweetener, cinnamon, and salt.
- Mix in additions: Add the hemp seeds and almond flour and mix until a cohesive dough forms. Add a little oil if the dough is crumbly.
- Roll into balls: Roll into 1 inch balls and refrigerate until firm.
- Drizzle: Melt the white chocolate with the coconut oil then drizzle over the protein balls and refrigerate until set.
Tips for Success
The consistency of the dough depends heavily on the almond butter. Make sure to mix in any separated oil very well before starting this recipe. Too much oil will cause the dough to be wet and goopy, which is easily corrected with almond flour.
The kind of protein powder you use will also affect the consistency. I recommend whey protein for best results, but other kinds will work. Again, you simply need to be ready to adjust with almond flour or additional oil.
I recommend powdered sweetener for this recipe, either erythritol or Allulose-based. But high intensity sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit extract are an option as well.
Sugar free white chocolate is VERY finicky. Be sure to melt it over a double boiler with barely simmering water, stirring constantly. Once it’s mostly melted, remove the bowl from over the heat. Continue to stir, allowing the residual heat to melt it smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Protein powders can contain added ingredients and sweeteners that raise the carb count significantly. But some brands use cleaner ingredients and keto-friendly sweeteners such as stevia or monk fruit and are appropriate for keto diets. I look for grass-fed whey protein with 2 grams or less per serving.
This keto cinnamon roll protein balls recipe has 6.3g of carbs and 3.1g of fiber per serving. That comes to 3.2g net carbs for two protein balls.
Store the balls in a covered container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. They can also be frozen for several months.
More recipes you’ll love
Keto Cinnamon Roll Protein Balls
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup (166.67 g) almond butter
- 3/4 cup (81 g) unflavored whey protein powder, or vanilla
- 1/3 cup (63.33 g) powdered sweetener
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup (50 g) hemp seeds
- 2 tbsp (14.2 g) almond flour
- 1 ounce (28.35 g) sugar free white chocolate
- 1/2 tsp coconut oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the almond butter, protein powder, sweetener, cinnamon, and salt. Mix well.
- Add the hemp seeds and almond flour and mix until a cohesive dough forms and you can roll into balls.
- If the dough is dry and crumbly, add avocado oil a teaspoon at a time until the correct consistency is achieved. If the dough is too wet and goopy, add almond flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the correct consistency is achieved.
- Roll into 1-inch balls and refrigerate until firm, about 20 minutes.
- In a heatproof bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water, combine the white chocolate with the coconut oil, stirring constantly. Once mostly melted, remove the bowl from over the heat and continue to stir until smooth.
- Drizzle over the chilled protein balls and refrigerate until set, 10 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I am simply recounting and sharing my own experiences on this blog. Nothing I express here should be taken as medical advice and you should consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. I provide nutritional information for my recipes simply as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using MacGourmet software and I remove erythritol from the final carb count and net carb count, as it does not affect my own blood glucose levels. I do my best to be as accurate as possible but you should independently calculate nutritional information on your own before relying on them. I expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website.
Free Bonus: Secrets to Keto Baking!
Sign up for your favorite recipes delivered straight to your inbox plus get our FREE bonus: Secrets to Keto Baking!
I’m one of “those” people who think if it isn’t CHOCOLATE, it isn’t worth eating. I’ll do it all except the white chocolate. Replacing with dark chocolate…
Love your recipes!
Thank you!
Hi I love most of your recipes but as a senior on a fixed income I can’t afford some of the ingredients like the protein whay. Made some of the other and loved them .any thought o how to make the other without the whay powder thanks violet
It’s really going to depend on the recipe. So if you see something you like, let me know and I will try to make suggestions. Unfortunately, things like protein balls definitely need protein powder!
These were really good! I didn’t add almond flour as my dough seemed firm enough without adding anything else. I also left out the hemp seeds since I don’t care for them or chia. A nice, quick snack when I need it!
These are delicious. I love the flavor, and the texture is lighter than I expected. I might try your sunflower flour variation next time as I like trying other flours in my treats. Thank you for all the notes and explanations. I appreciate your work!
Hi Carolyn, can I substitute ground flaxseed in place of ground hemp seed?
Does hemp get stale? I have a package that I have not opened, but I have had it awhile.
I wish I knew! What’s the expiration date on it? Even then… I would open and taste. If there’s any sense of rancidity, get rid of it.
what can I use in place of hemp seeds
I haven’t tried it yet but Google said replacements = flax, chia, or sunflower seeds. I really want to try this so will substitute chia seeds 1:1 for hemp seeds. Let me know if you try this recipe. Enjoy!
Great recipe! Have you tried it with the chia seeds yet? I was just wondering how they turned out since the chia seeds expand? Should I put them in dry or otherwise??? Thank you!
I really don’t know.
Please read the blog post.
these sound great. I am not a fan of white chocolate, so I will give these a try with a drizzle of macadamia nut or cashew nut butter.
Sure!