Salted Chocolate Protein Balls (Viral TikTok Recipe)
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Published Jun 30, 2025
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These viral salted chocolate protein balls taste just like rich, fudgy brownie batter, but they’re made with wholesome ingredients and packed with protein. One bite and you’ll be hooked!
I finally tried Elle Gibson’s viral brownie balls that I was seeing everywhere, and oh my goodness—I totally get the hype now.
I’ve made a lot of energy balls and protein balls over the years, but these salted chocolate protein balls might just be my new go-to. I’ve been keeping a stash in the fridge and reaching for one whenever I want something sweet without going overboard. I know you’re going to love them!
Why You Gotta Try This One
These little bites are rich, fudgy, and legit taste like brownie batter—but they’re made with good-for-you ingredients like dates, cacao, and protein powder. And that sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top? It’s chef’s kiss!
They’re no-bake, naturally sweetened, and come together in about 10 minutes with just a food processor. So easy!
Whether you’re craving a healthy dessert, need a quick pre-workout bite, or just want a snack that feels indulgent without the sugar crash, these brownie-inspired balls totally deliver.
Ingredients Needed
- medjool dates – soft, sticky dates are the base of the recipe and provide natural sweetness. If your dates are dry, soak them in warm water for a few minutes before using.
- oat flour – binds the dough and gives it a soft, doughy texture. You can make your own by blending rolled oats until fine.
- cacao powder – adds that deep chocolate flavor and a boost of antioxidants. Cocoa powder also works if that’s what you have.
- chocolate protein powder – amps up the chocolate flavor and adds a protein boost to make these more satisfying.
- maple syrup – a small amount helps everything stick together and balances the chocolate with a little extra sweetness.
- almond or cashew butter – gives the dough richness and creaminess. Cashew butter keeps the flavor more neutral, while almond butter adds a light nutty taste.
- sea salt – balances the sweetness and makes the chocolate pop. Don’t skip this one.
- chocolate coating – a mix of melted dark chocolate chips and coconut oil gives the balls a snappy outer shell, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top makes every bite feel like a fancy chocolate treat.
Make This Recipe Your Own
- Try a white chocolate coating: For a fun twist, dip the balls in melted white chocolate instead of dark. Sprinkle with crushed freeze-dried strawberries or a dusting of cacao powder to finish.
- Roll them in something instead: Skip the melted coating and roll the balls in cacao powder, crushed dried fruit (strawberry + chocolate = the best combo!), hemp seeds, shredded coconut, or even crushed nuts for texture and a slightly different finish.
How to Make These Viral Chocolate Protein Balls
Step 1: Add dates, oat flour, cacao, protein powder, maple syrup, nut butter, and sea salt to a food processor.
Step 2: Blend until a sticky dough forms, scraping down the sides as needed. If it’s too dry, add 1–2 teaspoons of water.
Step 3: Roll the dough into 12 balls using your hands or a small cookie scoop.
Step 4: Melt chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
Step 5: Dip each ball into the melted chocolate, let the excess drip off, and place on a parchment-lined tray.
Step 6: Sprinkle with flaky salt right away. Chill in the fridge or freezer for 10–15 minutes to set.
Recipe Tips
- Use soft medjool dates: If your dates feel dry or firm, soak them in warm water for 5–10 minutes before blending. This helps the mixture come together smoothly.
- Work quickly with the coating: Once your chocolate is melted, coat and top with flaky salt right away. The salt won’t stick if the chocolate starts to harden.
How to Store Chocolate Protein Balls
Store your protein balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. They’ll stay soft, fudgy, and perfect for a grab-and-go snack or dessert.
For longer storage, pop them in the freezer for up to three months. I love keeping a stash on hand—just let one sit at room temp for a few minutes before eating, or enjoy it cold straight from the fridge or freezer (so good!).
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Salted Chocolate Protein Balls
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup (275g) medjool dates, 16-18 dates
- 3 Tablespoons oat flour
- 3 Tablespoons cacao powder
- 1 scoop (25g) chocolate protein powder
- 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 Tablespoons almond or cashew butter
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Chocolate Coating
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips
- ½ teaspoon coconut oil
- Flaky sea salt for topping
Instructions
- Add the Medjool dates, oat flour, cacao powder, chocolate protein powder, maple syrup, nut butter, and sea salt to a food processor.
- Blend until the mixture is well combined and forms a sticky dough. You may need to scrape down the sides once or twice to ensure everything is incorporated. If the mixture seems too dry or isn’t coming together, add 1–2 teaspoons of water and blend again until the dough sticks when pressed.
- Use your hands or a small cookie scoop to portion out the dough and roll into even-sized balls. You should get about 12 balls, depending on the size.
- Add the dark chocolate chips and coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until fully melted and smooth (this usually takes about 60–90 seconds).
- Using a fork or spoon, dip each ball into the melted chocolate, allowing any excess to drip off. Place the coated balls back on the parchment-lined surface (I used a parchment lined baking sheet).
- Immediately sprinkle each chocolate-coated ball with a pinch of flaky sea salt before the chocolate sets.
- Place the finished balls in the fridge or freezer for 10–15 minutes to allow the chocolate to harden.
Notes
- Recipe inspired by Elle Gibson’s viral brownie balls
- Storage: Once set, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Dry dates: If your dates are firm or dry, soak them in warm water for 5–10 minutes to soften before blending. This helps the dough come together easily.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How are these called “Protein balls”!?🤣🤣🤣 4g of protein, 3g fat and 26g cho hardly makes these a good protein option. When 131cals of a 147cal food item is NOT protein, it’s disingenuous to name them protein balls.
Thanks for your comment! I totally hear where you’re coming from. The term protein balls doesn’t mean the majority of calories come strictly from protein—it just means they include protein-rich ingredients like protein powder and nut butter to give them a boost compared to traditional treats.
These are meant to be a more balanced snack with a mix of protein, healthy fats, and carbs from whole food ingredients like dates and cacao—not a high-protein replacement for something like a shake or bar. That said, you’re right that the nutrition will vary depending on portion size and the specific protein powder used.
Appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts!
These are fantastic! I am lazy and drizzled the chocolate instead of a dunk. I an trying incorporate more protein in my diet. These satisfy the chocolate cravings 😋 and are good for you.
Yay, love hearing this, Nancy! So happy they hit the spot for both your cravings and your protein goals. Thanks for giving them a try and coming back to leave a review — it means a lot!
These are LOADED with carbs. Not healthy.
Hi there! I totally get where you’re coming from—there are carbs in this recipe, but carbs aren’t the enemy. These bites are made with whole food ingredients like dates, cacao, and nut butter, which offer fiber, antioxidants, healthy fats, and natural sweetness. Plus, the added protein powder helps balance things out and makes them more satisfying.
I always aim for recipes that are both nourishing and delicious—and these are a great option if you’re looking for a treat with simple, real-food ingredients.
Can you substitute the oat flour? I mean the average cook doesn’t have oat flour hanging around the kitchen.
Hi Cheryl! I recommend sticking with oat flour or almond flour for this recipe since it’s no-bake. You can easily make your own oat flour by blending rolled oats — here’s how to make oat flour if you need a quick tutorial!