These Chocolate Protein Balls are a deliciously low carb snack. They taste like brownies and have 11g of protein. Perfect for fueling up!
After the huge success of my Peanut Butter Protein Balls, I figured it was time to follow it up with a new flavor. So how about some protein balls that taste just like fudgy keto brownies?
Yeah, I thought you’d like that. No, you can’t have any of mine. Go make your own. It’s easy!
Healthy protein snack recipe
In case you hadn’t noticed, I am leaning heavily into the low carb protein recipes these days. While I know it is a growing trend, for me it’s personal.
Over the past couple of years I have noticed a distinct shift in my metabolism. Meals and snacks that are heavy on fats make me feel sluggish. They also seem to mess with my blood sugar.
Once I started prioritizing protein rather than fat, I felt better, performed better, and had better blood sugar too. I can see and feel the difference. Snacks like these chocolate protein balls are important to my health and well-being.
It doesn’t hurt that they’re delicious too. They make getting a little extra protein feel like a treat. With only xg of carbs per serving, you can get that boost whenever you need it!
Ingredients you need
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- Nut butter: I used almond butter, but you can really use any nut or seed butter in this recipe.
- Butter or oil: A little additional oil helps the protein balls hold together better.
- Liquid allulose: I used this liquid sweetener to help give the mixture a bit of stickiness for rolling into balls. Please read the expert tips for alternatives.
- Chocolate Protein Powder: I recommend a chocolate protein powder for extra chocolate flavor. You can use whey, egg white protein, or plant based protein. Just be sure to check the labels and the carb count. Some contain added sugar.
- Nut or seed meal: These protein balls need a little additional bulk, but you can use any nut or seed meal you prefer. Try to choose one that is relatively finely ground.
- Cocoa powder: A little Dutch Process Cocoa gives a rich, brownie flavor.
- Chocolate chips: This is optional but adds texture and flavor.
- Chopped nuts: Optional! Use more chocolate chips if you prefer.
- Pantry staples: Vanilla, salt.
Step by Step Directions
1. Whisk the wet ingredients: In a large bowl, stir together the almond butter and oil until well combined. Then stir in the liquid allulose and vanilla extract.
2. Add the dry ingredients: Add the protein powder, nut flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Mix until a cohesive dough forms and you can easily roll it into balls.
3. Stir in the add-ins: Stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts until well distributed.
4. Roll into balls: Roll into 1 inch balls and refrigerate until firm. You should get 20 balls.
Expert Tips
The consistency of the dough depends a lot on the ingredients you use. How drippy and oily your nut butter is, what sweetener you use, the quality of your cocoa powder can all make a difference. Fortunately, it’s easy to adjust to get perfect chocolate protein balls!
If the dough is crumbly and won’t roll into balls, add a little more oil and perhaps some water. If the dough it too wet and goopy, add a little more cocoa powder or nut meal.
I also like to squeeze the dough in my palms a bit before rolling into a ball. This helps to warm it and to really make the ball cohesive.
Sweetener Options: If you don’t have liquid allulose, you can use any powdered sweetener, and add liquid as necessary to adjust the dough. Don’t use granular or they will end up gritty!
Protein Options: I think a chocolate flavored protein works best here but you can also use vanilla or unflavored. For unflavored, add another tablespoon of cocoa powder and some additional sweetener to taste. You will then probably need more oil or water to correct the dough.
For vanilla protein powder, use the additional cocoa but no sweetener.
Frequently Asked Questions
Protein balls can be a satisfying on-the-go snack for those looking to work a little more protein into their diet. But many recipes have a shocking amount of carbs and sugars. These Chocolate Protein Balls, however, are low carb and packed with healthy fats and fiber.
The mixture may be runny or wet if your nut butter has a lot of extra oil. But it’s easy to firm them up with a little additional nut flour or cocoa powder. Add it one tablespoon at a time until you can easily roll it into firm balls that hold their shape.
Store the balls in a covered container on the counter for up to 5 days, or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. They can also be frozen for several months.
Related Recipes
Chocolate Protein Balls Recipe
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup (166.67 g) almond butter, (or other smooth nut butter)
- 2 tbsp avocado oil, (or melted butter)
- 1/4 cup (50 g) liquid allulose, (see notes for alternative)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup (81 g) chocolate whey protein powder
- 1/4 cup (33.75 g) nut flour, (pecan, walnut, or almond)
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/8 tsp salt, (if nut butter is unsalted)
- 2 tbsp mini keto chocolate chips
- 2 tbsp finely chopped walnuts or pecans, (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir together the almond butter and oil until well combined. Then stir in the liquid allulose and vanilla extract.
- Add the protein powder, nut flour, cocoa powder, and salt. Mix until a cohesive dough forms and you can easily roll it into balls.
- Stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts until well distributed.
- Roll into 1 inch balls and refrigerate until firm. You should get 20 balls.
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.
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These were awesome!
I used pecan butter, olive oil ( my avocado oil is buried somewhere!)
Thought I had the chocolate whey isolate, but it was the chocolate collagen! oops! So I used the unflavored whey isolate and added 1 T more cocoa powder and 1T more liquid allulose, Pecan flour, I added unsweetened coconut fine shreds and about 1-2 tsp expresso powder and 1-1/2 tsp water.
Couldn’t wait for chopping up nuts or the chocolate chips… or waiting for them to firm up in the refrigerator (it’s too full, anyway…) so I took a 1T measuring spoon and had 2 of those right from the bowl!
This stuff is so good!
Thank you for another great recipe.
I ordered the chocolate whey protein powder so I’ll have it next time for sure. I’ll also chop up some pecans to add as it is, even with the coconut, a bit smooth and needs the crunch.
Delicious and satisfies my need for something chocolate!
Glad it helps!
Delicious and easy! I didn’t have chocolate protein powder so I used vanilla with a bit more cocoa powder. They turned out great! Thanks for another great recipe!
These are fantastic! I needed something that would travel well and this is it! I halved the recipe. I used sunflower butter, coconut oil, almond flour and macadamia nuts. It did not need to make any adjustments due to moisture content. They are perfect and remind me of eating a brownie. Thanks, Carolyn!
~Jenn
These were tasty!
Thank you ❤️, it is amazing
Heavenly! I keep these in the freezer all the time for a quick snack. Black walnuts are my favorite, they add such wonderful flavor.
These chocolate protein balls are amazing. I use chocolate whey, almond butter, and black walnuts. I use a mellon baller to drop them on the parchment. They are so good and have become my favorite snack. Thank you Caroline- you are the best!!!