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4 No-Bake Vegan Protein Ball Recipes for the Ultimate Energy Boost

By: Doug Hay

There’s nothing more satisfying than pulling out a homemade snack when hunger strikes.

And when that snack is packed with protein and loaded with high-carb fruit (making it perfect for mid- and post-workout fuel), it’s that much sweeter.

That’s why I love no-bake date balls. They’re versatile, delicious, and super easy to whip up on a whim and store for the next several days. They’re also a near-perfect whole-food long ride or run fuel, or a delightful recovery treat.

Below you’ll find four no-bake ball recipes created by NMA team member, Esther, who added Complement Protein for an extra boost of complete vegan protein.

(Note: If you want to ditch the protein for carb-heavy fast-acting fuel, simply swap the powder with Quick Oats or Steel Cut oats.)

Enjoy!

Carrot Cake Protein Ball Recipe

carrot date energy ball

Yields: 12 balls
Prep time: 15 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

  • 3 Carrots
  • 9-10 Medjool Dates, pitted
  • 1 C Oats (any oats will do. I used Steel-Cut, but quick oats will work too)
  • 1 C Complement Protein
  • 1 Tbsp Cinnamon
  • 1/8 Tsp Nutmeg
  • 1/4 C Walnuts
  • 1/4 Tsp Salt

Directions

  1. Blend in a food processor until finely ground.
  2. Scoop palm-sized/golf-ball-sized handfuls, roll into a ball and freeze.
  3. Top with cashew frosting, if desired.

Apple Pie Energy Ball Recipe

apple, oat, and date energy ball recipe

Yields: 12 balls
Prep time: 15 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

  • 5 Large Medjool Date, pitted
  • 1/2 C Complement Protein
  • 1/2 C Unsweetened Applesauce
  • 1 Tsp Cinnamon
  • 1 Tsp Maple Syrup (omit if using sweetened applesauce)
  • 1/2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1/2 C Walnuts

Directions

  1. Blend in a food processor until finely ground.
  2. Scoop palm-sized/golf-ball-sized handfuls, roll into a ball and freeze.
  3. Top with cashew frosting, if desired.

Strawberry Energy Ball Recipe

strawberry, date energy protein ball recipe with coconut flakes

Yields: 12 balls
Prep time: 15 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

  • 5 Large Medjool Dates, pitted
  • 6 Large, Fresh Strawberries
  • 1/2 C Complement Protein
  • 1/4 Cup Almonds
  • 1 Tsp Maple Syrup
  • 1/2 C Coconut Flakes (optional, but if you have them on hand, I highly suggest adding them)

Directions

  1. Blend in a food processor until finely ground.
  2. Scoop palm-sized/golf-ball-sized handfuls, roll into a ball and freeze. Top with cashew frosting, if desired.

Pumpkin Protein Ball Recipe

pumpkin spice and date protein balls with cocnut flakes

Yields: 12 balls
Prep time: 15 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

  • 10 Dates
  • 1 Tbsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
  • 2 Tbsp Pumpkin Puree
  • 1/4 C Cashews
  • 1/2 C Steel Cut Oats
  • 1/2 C Complement Protein
  • 1 Tsp Vanilla
  • 1/2 C Coconut Flakes (Optional)

Directions

  1. Blend until well mixed and crumbly.
  2. Create 1-inch balls.
  3. Roll each ball in coconut flakes to coat the outside.
  4. Freeze for 20 minutes.

Want to step it up and really impress? Dip them with cashew frosting. Just blend together the following ingredients for the frosting:

  • 1 cup soaked cashews blended
  • ½ cup non-dairy milk
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract (optional swap: lemon extract – this gave it a summery feel)
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup


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  • THANK YOU for y’all’s effort lately to put more recipes out there using Complement Protein powder! It’s a big help to me!

    Reply

  • Wow!!! I can’t wait to make these!!! Will let you know how they turn out!! I’m sooooo excited!!!

    Reply

  • I think the quantities may be off for the carrot cake protein balls. I followed it exactly and it was dry and would not hold together at all. I think the full cup of oatmeal and full cup of compliment was overstated. I added a touch of almond milk, more carrots and nuts. It basically tripled the 12 balls to 36….thank goodness for a freezer.

    Reply

    1. I agree with Monika – I wonder if the recipe was meant to specify *cooked* oatmeal? Otherwise definitely not enough liquid to hold together. I added splashes of oat milk until the mix became sticky enough to roll.

      Reply

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