Coconut Protein Balls
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Published Jan 02, 2022, Updated Sep 12, 2023
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High protein, low carb coconut protein balls made with coconut butter and hemp seeds! You’ll love the coconut flavor and the energy boost these protein balls provide. Low carb, vegan and gluten-free.
One of my overarching health goals is to make sure I’m getting enough protein. Most of the time, it’s pretty easy for me to get a good amount of protein at breakfast, lunch and dinner, but snacks are another story.
It can be a challenge to find protein-packed snacks that I actually want to eat! Greek yogurt bowls with fruit and granola have been my go-to for a while, but recently I was inspired to use protein powder, hemp seeds and coconut butter to make a low-sugar coconut protein ball for snacking.
Ingredients Needed
- vegan vanilla protein powder – any vanilla protein powder works, I just recommend vegan protein powder to keep these energy balls vegan! My go-to brand recently is Nuzest and you can use the code “eatingbirdfood” for 15% off your order if you want to try it out!
- hemp seeds – packed with healthy fats and protein, these seeds are a great addition to energy balls!
- coconut butter – use store bought or make your own coconut butter for the most delectable ingredient!
- maple syrup – a natural sweetener to balance the rest of the flavors. You should be able to swap for a different liquid sweetener of choice if needed.
- water – to help get theses balls to stick, you just need a touch of water!
- cinnamon – the perfect spice pairing.
What the Heck is Coconut Butter?
If you’re unfamiliar with coconut butter, it’s the most amazing thing ever – it’s a spread just like almond or peanut butter but made from coconut! You can find it at most grocery stores or simply follow my simple coconut butter recipe (linked above)! I’ve made protein balls with nut butter a bazillion times and finally decided it’s time to make one with coconut butter.
How to Make Coconut Protein Balls
Start by making sure your coconut butter is softened by putting the jar in a mug of hot water. Add all of the ingredients to a food processor and pulse a few times to incorporate. Stir the dough with a mixing spoon and then use your hands to roll 1 Tablespoon of the mixture into balls. Repeat until you’ve made about 8 balls. If the dough is too crumbly and not sticking together, add a few more drops of water.
pro tip! If your coconut butter is hard, place the jar in a bowl of hot water to let it soften. Alternatively, you can scoop out the amount of coconut butter you need and place it in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30 second increments until softened, stirring often! Just keep an eye on it because the coconut butter can burn in the microwave!
How to Store Protein Balls
You can enjoy the protein balls right away or store them in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. For longer storage, store in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks or in the freezer for 2-3 months.
More Protein Balls and Energy Bites
- Blueberry Muffin Energy Bites
- Cranberry Energy Bites
- Pumpkin Pie Energy Balls
- Cherry Energy Balls
- Vegan Protein Balls
- Easy No Bake Protein Balls
- Coconut Protein Balls
- Cinnamon Raisin Cookie Protein Balls
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls
- Tahini Chocolate Chip Protein Balls
- Hazelnut Chocolate Balls
- Pumpkin Protein Balls
Coconut Protein Balls
Ingredients
- ¼ cup vegan vanilla protein powder*
- ¼ cup hemp seeds
- ¼ cup coconut butter
- 1 Tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 Tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Put all ingredients in a mini chopper/processor and pulse a few times to incorporate.
- Give the dough a stir and start to roll the mixture (with your hands) into 1 tbsp sized balls. It should make about 8. If the dough is too crumbly add a few drops of water.
- Eat right away or store in an airtight container at room temp for 3-4 days. For longer storage, store in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 week or in the freezer for 2-3 months.
Video
Notes
- Use a vegan protein powder to keep these protein balls vegan.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Oooh, love the flavors!
So sorry I missed your medical news post – I’m praying that all gets better.
Thanks Liz!
These look great! 🙂
I must try your version! As soon as I get some coconut butter 🙂
I don’t know if you’ve tried dry-roasted edamame (Sea Point Farms makes a dry roasted and a wasabi flavor) but I love snacking on them while I’m watching TV.
Continued prayers for your back troubles 🙁
Thank you lady, I really appreciate it.
How many carbs are in the protein balls?
5g sis! How many points are they?
3 points per ball
ah good – something to do with that giant jar of coconut manna i still i have!!!
Your balls look great! (heh heh)
Those look like a great snack, cool you created your own version.
I love (snack) balls! Never added protein powder to them, but would love to try. Yummy!
I love sweet hummus, plus I’ll put peanut butter on almost anything!
Have you tried roasting chickpeas? You can give them a cinnamon sugar or honey coating.
Hi Jess. Great suggestion for roasted chickpeas. I love those as well!
What type of sweet hummus do you make?
I like orange-coconut, cinnamon or honey flavored hummus. I’m sure as my baby blog grows (I’m only a week in!) some hummus recipes will pop up on there 🙂
Awesome! I’m excited to check them out.
Mmm…they all look great. I’ve been meaning to try both of those recipes, I add yours to that list!
These look really good, and you know I love anything that is cook-free 🙂
Love this post and can’t wait to try these. Many thanks.
I’ve been assuming that I get enough protein, but I’ve been doing some reading lately, and I’m going to start tracking my nutrition more carefully so I can make sure I’m getting enough! Your recipe looks delicious!
Best of luck for your health-related news. I’m definitely thinking of you and will look forward to an update after you get the second opinion!
Ooh! I am all for any recipe calling for coconut butter:)
yum yes please!! i shall have to make these
These look yummy, I’ve been trying to add protein to my meals to, What a great snack!
Those are some good lookin balls.
Love the title! Made me smile and I needed that on a Monday morning!
🙂
Wow, those look really good!!! And pretty protein packed 🙂 These would be a great snack on the go!
Definitely going on my ‘must make’ list for this weekend!
I’m totally with you in regards to having trouble finding good and filling snacks (fellow pescaterian, here!), and I’m always shying away from protein bars because of how much sugar they tend to include. Plus, I’m learning to follow the whole ‘no more than 5-6 ingredients’ rule when buying pre-made stuff ….
Also if I can’t pronounce it/have no idea what it is … should I really be eating it? (think riboflavin …. ?!)
Can’t wait to try these!!! 🙂
Hi ChristinaAnne. I complete agree with eating whole foods and limiting packaged products have a laundry list of ingredients! Although ribolflavin is one ingredient you don’t need to worry about – it’s just vitamin B2. 🙂
im so so sorry about your scoliosis 🙁 ill keep you in my thoughts, but like you said, a second opinion never hurts.
as for the balls…im definitely going to have to give them a try. im craving coconut in a major way, so your adaptation looks like a winner. i need to get hemp seeds, this is, like, the 100th post ive starred with it as an ingred.
I’m pescatarian too and get concerned about my protein intake at times too. There are only so many nuts you can snack on right, lol. I do love hummus and greek yogurt so I try to stick to those for snacks, but sometimes I just want something quick and no fuss on hand. I like the sounds of these truffles….have to try them.
I posted a similar snack a few weeks ago. I only used raisins and almonds in a food processor then rolled in oats. These variations look great!
I am the same with you that I like to snack on food that have some protein in them, I like adding protein for staying power and keeps me full.
Have you tried Simply Bar protein bars? I’ve tried them and they are great for when you are on the go. But of course, homemade is always better when you can make them because you can control the ingredients.
I want to try these balls. I have some hempseed that I haven’t opened because I don’t know what to do with them.
Thanks for the recipe
Love your blog!
WOW! THIS IS REALLY GREAT! THANKS FOR THE RECIPE AS ALWAYS! I have been buying “nut protein balls” at the health food store for 2$ each. Its nice to have a recipe to make them now.
Hi! I’ve been working out in the eeeeearrrrly a.m. and have been struggling to find something I can eat quickly that is packed with nutrition and doesn’t take long to make. My search led me to your blog, which in turn led me to this recipe… I made them for the first time today and they turned out so delicious! I had to substitute creamed coconut, which – when liquified – didn’t re-solidify as much as I’d like, but the taste is wonderful! I think if I refrigerate them overnight they’ll be just fine and if not, I’ll spread it on seed bread 🙂 Thanks for sharing your great ideas with us 🙂
Hi Nicole and welcome!! I’m so glad you enjoyed the coconut protein balls. 🙂
I’ve been looking for some protein ball recipes and these look great, thanks!
Nice and informative website.
I need to make these!! They look amazing!! 🙂
Let me know how they turn out if you do! 🙂
WANT! Love this recipe, lady! SO easy, and they look so tasty! xoxo
That is an impressive amount of protein for each ball! I’m the same; I’ve used nut butters in SO many energy ball recipes, I’m excited to try something new!
Any suggestion for a substitution for hemp seeds?
Wondering this too! 🙂
I haven’t tested it yet, but I’m thinking that cashews would make a great sub for the hemp seeds. So 1/4 cup cashews in place of the hemp seeds. Let me know if you try it!
I love simple and straight forward recipes like this! There’s no way I can mess this up AND they look delicious!!
Hi, I’m wondering if these can be stored and eaten from freezer.
If not how long do they last in airtight container.
Great question. You can 100% store them in the freezer, but they’ll probably be too hard to eat frozen, so I’d recommend transferring them from the freezer to the fridge to thaw a couple hours before you want to eat them. For storage, they should last 1-2 weeks in an airtight container in the fridge.
Would these last just as long (1-2 weeks) in an air tight container if they aren’t in the fridge?X
If you store them at room temp, they will last 3-4 days. I would store them in the fridge if you want to keep them any longer than that! Hope this helps.
Do you have a protein powder you recommend?
Hey Allison! I’ve been loving Nuzest + Sun Warrior protein powders. 🙂 If you want to try Nuzest I have a code “eatingbirdfood” for 15% off. 🙂
This is so delicious!! I substituted collagen for the protein powder and added some vanilla. I tried macadamias and cashews for the hemp seeds, but it was very wet, so I rolled them generously in coconut flakes.
Woo! Thank you for sharing what swaps you made and how they turned out, Hannah. I appreciate it! 🙂
I made this recipe and it yields 4 balls (not 8 as the recipe indicates). Also, coconut butter is extremely difficult to find in stores (I went to three grocery stores including Whole Foods and none of them had it). I finally found it online but that is a pain to have to buy it online. I know the Recipe says you can make your own coconut butter, but who has the time? Finally, the final product was just too sweet for me.
I am sorry to hear this recipe did not turn out as you had hoped, Jill. Did you make sure to measure out the balls the correct size? If everything else was correct, it should have made 8. Thanks for sharing, again, I apologize these did not work out for you.
I love coconut so had to put these together. I doubled the recipe and added a bit more water than stated. I made my own coconut butter which took about 10minutes in my magimix – luckily I had some coconut flakes stocked. I also used linseed instead of hemp. Maybe a bit premature to rate but did the taste test and very nice. And a change from the choc/coconut balls.
Ahh this sounds amazing, Emma! Thank you so much for sharing your review & star rating, I really appreciate it!
Made this exactly as written. It’s a tasty little treat I’m keeping in the freezer for when the mood strikes. Thanks!
Love these so much, glad you are enjoying them as well, Amy. Thank you for your review & star rating, it means so much to me!