These Thin Mint Protein Balls taste like the girl scout cookie we all love, but are packed with good for you ingredients like dates, cashews and chocolate protein powder. Vegan and gluten-free.
Minty things, even if they’re not green, totally work for St. Patrick’s Day, right? I think so, but if you’re not so convinced you can always make a green salad (I’ve got plenty of those for ya), a green detox smoothie or use sunflower butter to make these flourless zucchini muffins and they’ll turn out green. <– Trust me, it works!
No but really you should just make these Thin Mint Protein Balls because they’re pretty amazing.
Typically I don’t spend a ton of time in the kitchen on the weekends for work stuff, but this past weekend I was inspired and went a little ball crazy. I made a batch of my sinless samoas, chocolate almond crispy bites and these thin mint protein balls.
I’m most excited about the thin mint balls because now I finally have a healthy alternative for both of my favorite girl scout cookies.
These babies start with a base of fresh medjool dates that are processed with raw cashews and chocolate protein powder. There’s peppermint extract to give the balls a minty flavor, but what really makes these balls taste like thin mint cookies is the chocolate crispy rice cereal. It gives them the perfect amount of crispy, cookie crunch.
I’ve been eating these little protein balls as a snack on the daily and they’re so good! Perfect as a pre or post workout snack or an energy booster in the middle of the afternoon. Did you know that peppermint has uplifting, energizing properties? Yup, even just taking a whiff of peppermint can help with anxiety and increase concentration. I have a bottle of peppermint essential oil that I keep on my desk for this very purpose. It’s awesome for helping to ease headaches too.
I took a sample plate with balls and bites to The Veil on Saturday — some for a surprise party Alyssa hosted for her fiancee and another plate to share with the staff. I went home empty handed so I guess that means they were a hit. I hope you all like these Thin Mint Protein Balls as well.
Thin Mint Protein Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup (12-13) pitted dates
- 1/2 cup chocolate crispy rice cereal (I used Koala Crisp)
- 1/4 cup raw cashews
- 1 Tablespoon vegan mini chocolate chips (I used Enjoylife)
- 1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 3 Tablespoons vegan chocolate protein powder
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon water
Instructions
- Add dates, ¼ cup crispy rice cereal, protein powder, cashews, chocolate chips, peppermint extract and water into a food processor and process until combined. A large ball of dough will likely form. Separate the dough, add remaining rice cereal and pulse until just combined. (You want these to be broken up, but not completely crushed into flour.) It’s okay if a few rice cereal pieces fall out of the dough, you can press them in as you roll the dough.
- Scoop about 1 Tablespoon of dough at a time and roll into balls. Place balls on parchment paper as you roll them and then place in the fridge until ready to enjoy.
HELLO YUMMY! Thin mints are one of my favorite girl scout cookies, along with tagalongs. These look so delicious!
Ohh!! I forgot about tagalongs. I used to love those too! 🙂
We have some but allergies in my house, though pecans are safe. I’ve used pecans in place of almonds with success; do you think they’re a good sub for cashews in this??
I think pecans will definitely work as a sub for the cashews. Enjoy, Dee!
Wow, these sound soooo good! I can’t wait to try them and I love your website! I have gotten some delicious recipes that have helped me immensely with my diet. Now all we need is the cold weather to pass so I can get out with my dogs for walks around Carytown and such to get me back on track.
Thank you for all of your hard work with this site!
I’m new to your blog and am excited to try this as one out! What would you recommend as substitutions for all the nuts used in this recipe?
These look incredible!!!!!!
Izzy
YUM! omg these sound SO good! i’ve passed by about a billion girl scouts and i want so badly to buy a box of thin mints, but can’t bring myself to do it because i’m trying to eat more healthfully this spring! so thanks for sharing 🙂
Thin mints were always my fave girl scout cookie, so thanks for giving a healthier, gluten free alternative! YUM!
How long will these keep in the fridge? (Assuming I don’t scarf them all in the first hour that is).
They should last up to a week in the fridge! But I suspect they’ll go fast. 🙂
Is there a good substitute for the crispy rice cereal?
Rolled oats should work, but you won’t get the crispy cookie texture.
Have you ever tried puffed quinoa? I’ve read about making it but haven’t tried yet.
I haven’t, but I think that’s an awesome idea! Let me know if you try it. 🙂
These look wonderful, simple and not too sweet. Thanks!
Thin mints are my favorite! Definitely will have to try this recipe out. Thanks for sharing!
I made these tonight! I subbed dark chocolate for the vegan chips, but followed the rest of the ingredient list and they are VERY good. They are sweet like something packed with sugar would be and the peppermint adds a nice, subtle, freshness.
These are very sticky, so be warned. I have seen a similar recipe that adds some kind of flour, but I think adding would dull the flavor a bit.