One of my favorite restaurants in Portland is Harlow. Sometimes I go for brunch and while waiting in line, I eye the raw and baked treats on the counter. One of my favorite treats is something called an “almond butter protein sphere.” Um, hello? Could there be a more perfect name for a pre-brunch snack? I think not.
Consider this my inspired take on a nutty protein ball.
My favorite part? They’re grain-free, low sugar (sweetened with just a few dates), and incredibly simple to make. Shall we?
These 5-ingredient bites are made entirely in the food processor and require ingredients you likely have on hand right now!
Nut butter is mixed with chia seeds, hemp seeds, a bit of protein powder (recommendations below), and a couple dates to keep these low sugar and naturally sweetened.
Chia seeds offer plenty of calcium, fiber, and magnesium. Hemp seeds are high in protein, essential amino acids, and omega-3 fatty acids. And dates are naturally high in fiber, potassium, and vitamin B6.
All of these good-for-you ingredients combine to make one seriously nutritious snack.
Once mixed, it’s time to roll! You can roll these and enjoy immediately, but I suggest chilling them in the freezer then topping with melted dark chocolate, hemp seeds, or shredded coconut. So delicious!
We hope you LOVE these bites! They’re:
Tender
Perfectly sweet
Crunchy
Customizable
Quick & easy
& SO tasty
These would make the PERFECT snack to have on hand when you need a quick boost of energy — each bite contains 6 grams of protein! I’ve been enjoying one after my morning workout, but they’d make a delicious pre-workout snack as well. They’re also ideal for travel, road trips, kid lunches, and more!
Into snack bites? Check out our No-Bake Chocolate Cake Bites, Golden Milk Energy Bites, PB&J Energy Bites, Dark Chocolate Hemp Energy Bites, and Peanut Butter Cup Energy Bites.
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
5-Ingredient Protein Balls (Low Sugar, Grain-Free)
5-Ingredient Protein Balls make the perfect low sugar, grain-free snack that’s high in protein and incredibly delicious! Customizable depending on what protein powder you use. Just 20 minutes and 1 food processor required!
Ingredients
PROTEIN BALLS
- 1 cup nut butter (we like almond, peanut, cashew, or sunflower)
- 3-5 pitted medjool dates* (add more for sweeter bites)
- 2/3 cup hemp seeds
- 1/4 cup chia seeds (or sub other seeds, such as sesame or flax)
- 3-4 Tbsp protein powder* (vanilla, flavored, or chocolate — or other flavor of choice)
FOR TOPPING optional
- Melted dark chocolate (dairy-free as needed — we like Enjoy Life)
- Hemp seeds
- Desiccated coconut
- Sea salt
Instructions
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Add nut butter, pitted dates, hemp seeds, chia seeds, and protein powder to a food processor and blend until all ingredients are well combined and a cookie dough-like texture forms (see photo).
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If too wet, add more dry ingredients of choice, such as protein powder or hemp seeds. If too crumbly or dry, add a little more nut butter. NOTE: These are meant to be on the tender side, so don't be concerned if they're a little soft (they'll firm up in the refrigerator or freezer).
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Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more protein powder of choice for flavor or more dates for sweetness (if adding more dates, chop first to encourage even blending). Mix again until well combined.
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Scoop out about 1 Tbsp amounts and roll into balls (as recipe is written, ~20). Place on a parchment-lined plate or platter.
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Roll the balls in hemp seeds or desiccated coconut, or melt some dark chocolate in a double boiler on the stovetop, or in 20-second increments in the microwave, then spoon a small amount over the bites (all optional). Top with coconut or sea salt for added flavor (also optional).
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Transfer balls to the freezer or refrigerator to chill for 15 minutes to firm up. We recommend storing these in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or in the freezer up to 1 month for best texture. They are delicious straight out of the refrigerator or freezer and tend to soften at room temperature.
Notes
*In place of dates, you could sub maple syrup to taste. Just add more dry ingredients of choice to offset the wetter texture.
*The protein powder we used was Tropeaka Lean Vanilla protein. It does contain brown rice protein. If you need to keep this recipe grain-free, choose a grain-free protein, such as Nuzest.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated without optional ingredients.
Nutrition Per Serving (1 of 20 balls)
- Calories: 133
- Fat: 10.3g
- Saturated fat: 0.9g
- Sodium: 11mg
- Potassium: 191mg
- Carbohydrates: 6.6g
- Fiber: 2.6g
- Sugar: 3.1g
- Protein: 6g
Hello! I cannot find hemp seed in my country :( any recommendations for a replacement? Since I’m tempted to make this and the bars!
I’d recommend throwing some sunflower seeds, flax seeds (or pumpkin seeds), and coconut flakes into a blender and making a meal. That would be the closest swap!
I will preface that I am not the most domestically inclined. The taste is great but my balls’ texture is very soft and sticky even after its in the fridge overnight. I think I need more seeds so will adjust and try again! I also didn’t have a food processor so I used my Magic Bullet which may have something to do with it as well. Overall, it’s definitely tasty and easy!
Yeah! I’d say because nut butter texture varies greatly. Sounds like yours was more on the liquid side so it could’ve benefited from more seeds or protein powder! Thanks for sharing your experience, Krista!
Can’t wait to try these! I don’t have a food processor…do you think a vitamix would work?
I think so! Let us know how it goes!
I have made this twice in the last two weeks. Did not have hemp first time, so I made them without. Used a combo of almond and peanut butter both times because that’s what I had. This will become a staple for us. Thank you!
Yay! Thanks for sharing, Dawn!
Hi! If I used hulled hemp seeds, would that change the recipe dramatically? Could you also explain the difference in cooking with hulled and non-hulled hemp seeds? I am new to the hemp game.
I use hulled. Unhulled have more fiber and hulled have less fiber b/c it’s just the hemp seed itself.
I got lazy so my boyfriend and I are eating this straight out of the food processor bowl with a spoon. Really tasty and filling! Thank you!
Thanks for sharing, Sophie!
So tender and chewy – love the texture and ease of making these compared to other bliss/protein bites. The result is very dough like and makes it easy to clean the food processor. They turned out lovely with almond butter & aloha’s vanilla protein powder.
Agreed! They’re on repeat over here.
LOVE these. I made exactly as is (only 3 dates, and sprinkle a little sea salt on top). I’m trying to not eat sugar or gluten and these really satisfy. They tast like a reese cup.
Yay! Thanks, Kim!
Hello! Thanks for all of your wonderful recipes 🙂 I’m wondering if collagen peptides would work as the protein powder?
It would, yes. But know that those are typically unflavored and won’t add any additional flavor or sweetness to your bites. In which case I’d add a little vanilla and stevia or more dates!
I usually love things I’ve made from this site, but I have to say these missed the mark. The hemps seeds make it extremely crunchy and the texture is pretty unpleasant.
Wouldn’t make again.
Hmm, I’m wondering if you used unhulled hemp seeds vs hemp hearts?
I just made this with Bob’s Red Mill vanilla protein powder and almond butter and it turned out great! I added a little tahini because it was on the drier side- and sea salt, cinnamon and vanilla. Yum!
Yay! Thanks, Amber!
Looks good!
Harlow is also one of my favorite Portland restaurants!!! Last time I was in the area, I stayed at the Hawthorne Hostel and Harlow was right there – SO. GOOD. Fantasizing going back soon!
Any substitute for hemp seeds?
I’d suggest a blend of more chia seeds, flaxseed meal, blended sunflower seeds, almond flour, and/or additional protein powder!
Delicious! I used chocolate protein powder and added a couple dashes of cinnamin. I also added a tiny bit of melted dark chocolate on top. We are going to try to keep them around all the time. Great snack item I do not have to feel guilty about!
Yay! Thanks for sharing, Kim!
I don’t use protein Powder
Do you think i could use chickpea instead
Thanks a lot for all your great recipes
You mean chickpeas or chickpea flour? I wouldn’t recommend either.
Could you do almond flour or something different to sub the protein powder? Or leave it out?
You can scan the comments where I’ve made several recommendations – I believe a blend of more seeds or almond flour would work. Just know that you’ll be missing out on vanilla flavor / sweetness from protein powder so you may need to compensate with vanilla extract and/or more dates/sweetener.
Does this recipe mean actual crunchy hemp seeds or the soft hemp hearts? Also, what about taking them on a hike? Do you think they would get too soft? I am planning an 8-11 mile hike and want to take a protein loaded snack.
I think they’d be perfect on a hike if you put them in a glass jar vs a plastic bag where they may get squished.
As far as hemp seeds, we recommend hemp hearts.
Last night I made an attempt at this recipe and I think I made a mistake along the way or with my ingredients. I used coconut flour instead of protein powder and used a crunchy peanut butter. I think the latter must have been the mistake as the dough doesn’t get dry enough, however much I keep adding the dry ingredients. The nut butter might be releasing new oils from the small bits of peanut every time I blend it up again?
I can’t roll the dough into balls as it’s too sticky and it plops down whenever I get some sort of ball shape formed. It’s still very tasty though and I would hate to have wasted all those ingredients.
Could I maybe use this for something else instead? Any ideas? :)
I’ll definitely be trying this again with a smooth peanut butter in the future and maybe even start with less than a cup!
Sorry about that Merel! I wonder if coconut flour is the culprit? We haven’t tested that out yet.
As for salvaging this batch, press them into a lined loaf pan, freeze, and cut into squares.
That sounds great! Thanks so much! :)
No worries, it’s still a great recipe! Do you have a recommendation for a protein ball like this that I could make, without any protein powder? I would love to try more!
Merel, what about something like this?
Those sound seriously delicious and I already have all those things in my cupboard. Thanks, Dana!
Thanks, Merel!
I love the addition of hemp seeds. So darn clever. Can’t wait to try this.
xoxo!
Really enjoyed these as a quick, portable, and energizing small bite!
Thanks for sharing, Deborah!
OMG, Yum! I just made some of these and they are so good. I hope I can get my young teen to try one and then eat them! She’s not the best eater!
I have problems with histamine intolerance and hope that the protein powder I used doesn’t react, so far, so good! This will be a staple in my diet now.
Lovely! Thanks for sharing Suzanne!
Delicious! I just made these but subbed prunes for the dates because I didn’t have any in my cupboard and they turned out great. Used about 7 prunes as they were on the small side – enough to provide a hint of sweetness and the mid-afternoon energy boost I was looking for. Thanks Dana!
Lovely! Thanks for sharing, Catherine!
Just whipped these babies up and dreaming of all sorts of opportunities to eat them: those mornings when I’m running too late for breakfast or just don’t feel very hungry, rolling them into tiny mini bites to go over nice cream…. They’re really delicious and satisfying, two was perfect! I used half of a cup of pb2 powder, 1/3 cup of tahini, and filled the rest of the 1 cup measuring cup with water. This was a touch too much and I had to add a little more protein powder (I used orgain vanilla). I also added a touch of cinnamon and sea salt. I put the dough in the fridge for 30 minutes before rolling them out. I can’t wait to try them with alternative nut butters and protein powder flavors!
Agreed! I do the same. Perfect for a quick snack after a workout away from home, or travel! Thanks for sharing, Rachael!
These are really good however I did some substitutions as I didn’t have protein powder and they came out really runny. In place of the protein powder I used 5 tablespoons of coconut flour. As they still were very wet, I threw in 1.25 cups of oatmeal. They are still not firm but they do hold their shape.
Thanks for the recipe! A fan of your website and your cookbook.
Michelle
Thanks for sharing, Michelle! These types of recipes always need a little eyeballing because the freshness / runniness of your nut butter and freshness of dates will vary greatly. Sounds like you had really fresh nut butter and dates, so they just required a bit more dry ingredients. However, they shouldn’t have required that much oats. I’m wondering if you could double check your quantities on the other ingredients? Coconut flour is absorbent. I haven’t tested it in these balls, but it should’ve worked OK.
Hi,
Any substitute for hemp seeds.
I don’t get hemp seeds in India(atleast not easily)
Thanks :)
We’re thinking a blend of additional chia seeds + flax seeds, sesame seeds, or even ground sunflower seeds would be a good fit here! You could also add more protein powder as well. Let us know how it goes, Pragya!
Do you think unflavored hemp powder would work for the protein? Or could it give the balls a weird taste?
I’ve never cared for those protein powders. I think it would benefit from a protein powder that has a good flavor on its own. Our favorites being Tropeaka Lean Vanilla, Bob’s Red Mill Vanilla, or Nuzest Vanilla!
Looks fantastic….. we moved away from Hawthorne and seriously are missing their mercy blues with tempeh (can you work your magic for a home version?). Love your website… eases the pain of moving away from the vegan garden of eden of SE PDX. Thanks!
Ooh, I’ve never tried the Mercy Blues! But I will next time I’m in! xoxoxo
So delicious!! I saw this recipe and immediately decided to make it. It was so easy to create, and everyone loved them! Highly recommend giving it a try.
Lovely! Thanks, Kim!
Super simple & easy to customize with whatever you have in your pantry! I didn’t have hemp seeds, so I used a mix of ground flax seed & whole flax seed. I put 2 chocolate chips on top of each protein ball before freezing, less mess than melting & dipping into chocolate. A+! Will make again!
Thanks, Cassie!
Hi there, do you think there’s any peanut & tree nut-free substitute for the nut butter? I’d love to send these with my son for a school snack, but at a loss for how to successfully make them nut free.
Thank you!
I think tahini or sunflower butter would be good substitutes!
These look delicious! Will give them a try when I make a new batch in a few weeks!
What can u use instead of hemp seeds? Thanks!
I’d say add a mix of more chia seeds to compensate, along with your choice of sesame seeds, protein powder, coconut flour, or almond flour!
I’m putting this aside for a while because I don’t have hemp seeds in my pantry.
However, I have to say I adore your recipes and HARLOW is wonderful!
Thanks for what you do!
Warmly,
G
Thanks! We love Harlow, too!
These look delicious but I haven’t made them yet because I would like to know if there is a substitute for protein powder. I can’t eat it. Thanks.
I’d say coconut or almond flour!
If you sub out the protein powder, mix in an Adaptogen like maca, cacao, or ashwaganda for even more health benefits when you bite! They are all mild in taste, but the salty nutbutter and the sweet dates will mask any flavor you may dislike. You’ll nourish the adrenals, have more energy, and libido ;)
Thanks for sharing! I think subbing the protein powder out entirely will make the flavor potentially bitter (especially all ashwaghanda). But let us know how it goes!
These look amazing! I make energy bites with peanut butter, dates, oats, and walnuts.
I’ll have to try this next time.
Just made these beauties. Did not have chia seeds, so I subbed flax meal and sesame seeds and added a couple tablespoons of mini chocolate chips. So delicious! The batter seemed way too wet to form balls, but they rolled up with no problems. Taste great now, and will probably be even better when firm. Thanks for all of your amazing recipes and inspiration. I share your page with all my friends. I was a starving vegan before I found you! xox
Great! Thanks for sharing, Laura!! xo
Sounds like great fun! Gonna try it! How’s about a cacao version?
Thank you so much- Susan
I think that would be lovely! Sub out the protein powder for chocolate protein powder OR sub up to 1/2 the protein powder with cacao or cocoa powder!
These look perfectly tasty! Could I sub coconut flour for the protein powder? I have a lot of dietary restrictions right now and it’s difficult to find a protein powder.
That should work, but it’s more drying so start with less and work your way up.