Edible Cookie Dough Chickpea Energy Bites

These little high protein energy balls pack a punch! With just a few pantry staple ingredients, you can whip up a batch of these tasty snacks in only 5 minutes.  I like to make a big batch on Sundays to grab for breakfast or a pick-me-up during the week. 

The best part is you can flavor them however you want.  I’ve tried versions with peanut butter, chocolate chips, oatmeal raisins, cranberries – you name it! They’re so versatile and easy to customize.  

My favorite thing about these protein balls is that they’re vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free.  So they work for just about any diet.  I have a couple of friends with food allergies and sensitivities, so it’s great to have a snack I can share with everyone. 

These tasty bites are loaded with protein powder, so they really fill me up. They keep me going until my next meal without any crash. They’re especially great as travel snacks when I’m out and about! I swear if you haven’t ever tried this, you’ll be floored – they taste incredible and are even easier to make!

Are High Protein Energy Balls Healthy?

Protein balls can be pretty good for you if they’re made with healthy stuff and not too much sugar, and you don’t go crazy eating a ton of them.  They’re like the perfect size to munch on between meals or get some energy after a workout.  

Yeah, protein balls call for high-fat ingredients like peanut butter, but it’s the healthy kind of fat.  Plus, fat makes them more filling and satisfying.   

Other important things to think about when looking at whether protein balls are healthy are the amount of fiber, protein, and sugar in them.  

Fiber and protein (along with the fat) help make a snack really filling, so an hour later, you’re not rummaging through the kitchen again, still feeling hungry.

Why Consider Making These Energy Balls

These no-bake peanut butter protein balls are a great snack to keep around – they’re way healthier than store-bought protein bars loaded with sugar. 

Having tasty snacks like these balls stocked in your fridge or desk makes it less tempting to grab processed foods when you’re hungry.  

The best thing about this protein ball recipe is you can customize it however you want! And with no baking required, it’s simple to whip up a batch to snack on throughout the week.  

It’s also fun to be able to customize them from one week to another! Some weeks, I like adding extra nuts, and other weeks, it’s chocolate chips (yum!) with dried fruit. 

All that to say, it doesn’t matter what your preference is – these high protein energy balls will easily work with your favorite add-ins! Plus, it’s nice to have healthy grab-and-go snacks ready to eat when a craving strikes.

What to Expect From This Recipe

With just 5 minutes of work, you’ll get roughly 30 balls using the scoop that are 60 calories each with 3.6g of protein, 9.8 grams of carbs, and 3.7 grams of fat. 

Ingredients to Make High Protein Energy Balls at Home

• Chickpeas: Chickpeas are a big part of what makes these energy balls so hearty and filling.  They pack in protein and fiber to keep you going and also help make the texture of the balls soft and pleasant to chew.
• Applesauce: Applesauce might seem like a weird ingredient here, but it actually works great.  Just a bit of applesauce gives these energy bites a subtle sweetness without going overboard.  Plus, it binds everything together nicely and keeps the balls from drying out.
• Salted Almonds: For crunch, we’ve got some salted almonds in the mix.  Almonds have good fats and extra protein. Plus, the salt accentuates the flavor, and the crunch breaks up the softer textures nicely. 
• Almond Butter: Almond butter might be my favorite ingredient here.  It makes these little energy balls taste amazing with its nutty, creamy flavors.  The almond butter also binds the ingredients together well and contributes more protein to make these filling snacks.
• Himalayan Salt: A pinch of Himalayan pink salt helps bring out the sweet apple and maple flavors in these energy balls while also balancing the nuttiness from the almonds and almond butter.  
• Cinnamon: A dash of cinnamon warmly complements the sweet and nutty tastes too.  
• Vanilla Plant-Based Protein Powder: Vanilla protein powder packs an extra protein punch into these portable snacks – perfect for post-workout or busy days.  The vanilla also plays nicely with the other ingredients, adding a hint of sweetness.  
• Maple Syrup: Maple syrup naturally sweetens and also helps bind everything together (do you see a pattern here?).
• Cacao Butter (Optional): If you choose to use cacao butter, it will give the energy balls a slight chocolatey flavor and a smoother texture.
• Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate Chips: The dairy-free dark chocolate chips mix things up with bursts of chocolate in each bite contrasting the nuts and sweetness.

How to Make High Protein Energy Balls

Craving a healthy snack that can fuel your day? Here’s how to make high-protein energy balls that are packed with nutritious ingredients and taste amazing! 

For more detailed instructions and nutrition facts, check out the recipe card at the end of this post.

Step 1: Chop Almonds

Start by adding almonds to your food processor and chop until they reach your desired texture. If you prefer, you can skip this step and use salted almond butter instead.

Step 2: Process Chickpeas

Remove the almonds from the food processor and add in chickpeas. Blend until they’re combined but not completely pureed. You want to avoid creating a soup-like consistency.

Step 3: Mix Ingredients 

In a large mixing bowl, combine the processed chickpeas, chopped almonds or almond butter, and the rest of your ingredients. Stir until everything is well combined.

Step 4: Refrigerate

Place the mixture in the refrigerator for about twenty to thirty minutes. This is a great time to catch up on your favorite blogs or do a quick workout.

Step 5: Scoop and Shape

Using a cookie scoop, scoop out portions of the mixture onto wax paper. They might not be perfectly round, but that’s okay. The taste is what really matters!

Step 6: Store

Layer the energy balls in a Tupperware container, placing wax paper in between each layer to prevent them from sticking together. Keep the container in the refrigerator for a fresh and healthy snack anytime you need a boost of energy.

Flavor Variation Ideas

• Other Nut Butters: If you want to change things up from almond butter, you could try peanut butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter in these protein-packed energy balls.  Each kind of nut butter makes the balls taste and feel a little different.  Just be sure to tweak the salt based on how salty the nut butter is.  
• Super Seeds: To get extra fiber you can throw in a tablespoon of chia seeds or ground flax.  The seeds give the balls a nice texture boost and a subtle nutty flavor and  chia and flax also have good omega-3s!
• Gluten-Free Rolled Oats: If you avoid gluten, make sure to use gluten-free oats in your energy balls.  They’ll make the balls satisfyingly chewy without messing with your diet. 
• Change Up the Sweetener: If you don’t have maple syrup, honey works great too.  It makes the balls sweet in a slightly different way than maple syrup, but still delicious.  
• Add Coconut: For a tropical vibe add a quarter cup of shredded coconut.  The coconut gives the balls amazing flavor and a fun crunchy texture.
• Try Different Protein Powders: There’s all kinds of protein powder you can use to make these energy balls, not just vanilla.  I like to switch it up sometimes and use chocolate protein powder instead, or even strawberry.  Each one makes the snack taste a little different, which keeps things interesting..
• Make Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites: if you really love chocolate throw in some dark chocolate chips before you stick the mixture in the fridge.  Maybe like a cup or so.  It gives the energy balls this awesome chocolate chip cookie flavor, but they’re still super healthy and protein-packed.  I swear you’d never know they were dairy-free if you tried them with your eyes closed.  Just the perfect little cookie bite!

Don’t be afraid to experiment with the protein powders and mix-ins.  Half the fun is customizing the energy balls to match whatever flavors you’re in the mood for that day.  Keep trying new combos until you find your perfect snack.

How to Store These High Protein Energy Bites

These tasty high-protein energy balls can keep for up to a week if you stash any leftovers in an airtight container and pop them in the fridge after enjoying a few.  Their delicious flavors will stay locked in.  

Freezing works great, too if you want to stock up – just lay them out in a freezer bag or container so they’re not touching, and they’ll keep for a good three months. Simply allow them to thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying them!

I like to make a huge batch and freeze it for the entire month in Ziploc bags that stores enough for the entire week – then all I have to do is move the bag from the freezer to the fridge on Sunday night, and I have some delicious energy bites waiting for me in the morning! 

Looking for more high protein ideas?

• High protein 3 ingredient pancakes
• High protein post workout smoothies
• High protein cookie dough (no beans!)

Have you ever made a dessert with chickpeas?

Are you a lazy cook? Just me?

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