Date Protein Balls (6 Ways!)

Requiring just a few wholesome ingredients, and naturally sweetened with dates, these date protein balls are perfect for packing along for a snack or a healthy treat. Use this master recipe as your base for all sorts of different variations including 6 favorites in the recipe card. Read the full post for troubleshooting, tips and help adjusting for the protein powder that you use.

Jump to:

• The Ingredients
• The Method
• Leftovers and Storage
• Flavor Variations
• More Ways to Make it Your Own
• Protein Powder Considerations
• Troubleshooting and FAQs
• Tips for the Best Date Protein Balls
• And if you liked this recipe...
• Recipe Card
• Comments

Each week, I try to prepare some kind of healthy snack to have on hand for busy days.

Hanger can sneak up in a hurry, so having something wholesome and filling to ward it off is best for everyone.

These date protein balls are a regular in my make-ahead snacks rotation and are soon to be a regular in yours too! You'll also love them because they are:

• Simple- All if takes is about 15 minutes and a few wholesome ingredients (which means you know and control exactly what is in your protein snack) to get these ready. You do have to use a food processor though. If you want something even simpler, you can try making Almond Butter Protein Balls instead- they just stir together in a bowl.
• Customizable- The sky is the limit with the base recipe. You can swap out the nut butter, add different flavors (such as chocolate or coconut) and more.
• Convenient- There isn't much that is more perfect for packing along than protein and energy balls. Whip up a big batch and keep them on hand for whenever you're in need healthy options in a hurry. (Or make some Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars).
• Protein Packed- A single ball has 6 grams of protein and if you have 2 or 3 at a time, it brings you up to 18 grams.
• DELISH- You'll be surprised at just how scrumptious a few simple ingredients can taste. These balls not only fuel you, but they will satisfy your sweet tooth.

So let's make some date protein balls!

The Ingredients

• Dates- The key structure of the balls, dates also sweeten and add a bit of a caramel flavor. I prefer using Medjool dates but any type of date will work. For best results, soak your dates in hot water for 10 minutes before so that they are nice and soft.
• Nut Butter- Drippy nut butter is a key ingredient for binding these snack balls. For best results, make sure yours is well stirred. To make them nut free see this list of almond butter substitutes.
• Protein Powder- I usually use a combination of unflavored pea protein isolate and brown rice protein powder (for a more complete amino acid profile). You can use your favorite protein powder but keep in mind that different powders absorb significantly different amounts of moisture. See the "Protein Powder Considerations" section below for tips on how to adapt for different powders.
• Fine Sea Salt- A pinch of salt balances the flavor of the balls but it can be left out if needed.

The Method

1. Puree Dates. Add the dates to a food processor and process until just a few chunks remain.

2. Add Remaining Ingredients. Add the nut butter, protein powder and salt as well as any additional ingredients (as per the variation you are making), except chunky mix-ins (such as chocolate chips or coconut flakes) and run on high until well combined.

At first, the mixture will be mealy but after a couple of minutes, it should come together and be kind of like the texture of cookie dough.

If yours doesn't seem to be coming together after five minutes, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of water.

3. Add Mix Ins (If Using). Fold in mix-ins (depending on the flavor you are making).

4. Shape. Line a dish with parchment paper, a silicone mat, or wax paper. Scoop a tablespoon of the mixture, roll it into a ball and set it in the dish. Repeat with the remaining mixture (it should make about 16).

5. Enjoy! Eat immediately, refrigerate or freeze for later.

Leftovers and Storage

To Store: Place your date protein balls in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

To Freeze: These protein balls freeze well for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw at room temperature for 5-10 minutes if you prefer them softer or eat them frozen.

Flavor Variations

Get creative with these date protein balls and make all sorts of flavors. In the recipe card, I have included the base recipe plus 6 delicious variations. Here are some ideas for how to change up those variations even further.

Base Flavor

• Use an Extract- Add 1 teaspoon for extra flavor:
  • Vanilla
  • Maple
  • Almond
• Add Mix Ins- Incorporate up to ¼ cup of:
  • Dark Chocolate Chips
  • Chopped Nuts
  • Raisins
  • White Chocolate Chips

Salted Caramel

• Cookie Dough- Add 2 tablespoons of quick oats (at the same time as the nut butter) and 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips (fold in after processing). You may also need to add 1-2 tablespoons of water to account for the extra moisture absorbed by the oats

Peanut Butter

• Peanut Butter Cookie Dough- Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and ¼ cup of cacao nibs or chocolate chips (reminiscent of the dough in these Oat Flour Peanut Butter Cookies).

Chocolate

• Eat-more- Use peanut butter in place of almond butter and add ¼ cup of chopped peanuts for a protein version of these healthy eat-more bars.
• Mocha- Increase the espresso powder to 1 teaspoon.
• Triple Chocolate- Add ¼ cup of cacao nibs or chocolate chips and then dip in chocolate. (See directions for chocolate dipped below in "More Ways to Make it Your Own")
• Chocolate Mint- Add 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract.

Coconut

• Almond Joy- Dip in chocolate (see directions below under "More Ways to Make it Your Own") and add ¼ cup of roasted, chopped almonds.

More Ways to Make it Your Own

• Add a Chocolate Topping-
  • Shape the balls and then place them in the freezer for 15 minutes.
  • Melt 4 ounces of semi-sweet or dark chocolate in a small bowl in 20 second bursts in the microwave, stirring after each, until melted.
  • Remove the balls from the freezer and dip each in the melted chocolate and then place them back in the freezer for 15 minutes.
• Skip the Protein Powder- If you would prefer to make these bars without protein powder, substitute with almond flour or ¾ of a cup of rolled oats ground in a blender to make a flour.
• Make them Nut Free- Use pumpkin seed butter in place of nut butter.
• Protein Bars- Check out this Date Protein Bars recipe instead.

Protein Powder Considerations

For your personal nutrition and digestion, you may decide to use different protein powders. And if you need help deciding that, a dietitian or nutrition professional may have more information.

But let's dive into how what protein powder you use will affect the recipe and how to adjust for it.

*I typically use either pea protein isolate, brown rice protein or a combination and so the recipe is written for that. These two protein powder behave similarly and both absorb a lot of moisture. If you use anything besides these unflavored proteins, you'll need to consider the following:

• Consistency: Plant-based protein powders tend to absorb a lot more liquid than animal based powders.
  • If using an animal based powder, such as whey, you may need to add a bit more to achieve the right consistency or you can add 1-2 tablespoons of almond butter or ground flaxseed as needed.
• Flavor: If you use a flavored powder, ensure that it complements the flavor of the protein balls that you are making.

Troubleshooting and FAQs

• Sticky- To fix this, you can either add (start with ½ tablespoon and then continue to add until the consistency is similar to play-dough):
  • More protein powder
  • Ground flaxseed
  • Blended oats (homemade oat flour)
• Falling Apart- To fix it, you can try adding 1-2 tablespoons of water. If that doesn't help, try adding a tablespoon of additional nut butter.

Tips for the Best Date Protein Balls

• Soak the Dates: Unless your dates are very fresh, soaking them in hot water for 10 minutes will make a world of difference for how easily they blend up and how soft their texture is.
• Adjust for Protein Powder: The protein powder used will affect the consistency so add more or less water as needed to bind the ingredients. The batter should be pretty thick but mixable.
• Use Well Stirred and Drippy Nut Butter: For best binding, use fresh, drippy almond butter.

LET ME PLAN YOUR DINNERS! Join my email list and receive My FREE Meal Plan (Including Grocery List!) as a gift>>>

And if you liked this recipe...

...you might also like:

• Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls
• Easy Protein Cookie Dough
• Chocolate Protein Balls

Recipe Card