Easiest Way to Make Chocolate Mint Protein Balls Recipe

Chocolate Cranberry Nut Balls

Easy recipe for peppermint chocolate protein balls.

Recipe Summary Chocolate Cranberry Nut Balls

I'm gravitating towards the Paleo Diet so I created this high-protein and energy snack recipe out of a desire to eliminate those expensive and so-called nutritious protein bars. I don't want all of the processed carbs that are hidden in them because, quite honestly, they aren't that healthy. These are really tasty and my whole family loves them. I recommend making them fairly small and bite-sized, as they can crumble a little as you're biting into them. Freezing or refrigerating them keeps the messiness down, but they won't spoil if left at room temperature. I eat 4 or 5 with a big glass of water and feel full!

Ingredients | Chocolate Mint Protein Balls Recipe

4 ounces whole grain teff

4 ounces shredded coconut

2 ounces chia seeds

2 ounces milled flax seed

1 pound raw walnuts

12 ounces raw almonds

12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

8 ounces chopped dates

5 ounces dried cranberries

4 ounces roasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas)

1 (16 ounce) jar natural peanut butter, melted

6 ounces honey

Directions

Place teff in a large skillet over medium heat and toast until fragrant, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl. Stir in coconut, chia seeds, and milled flax seed.

Chop walnuts, almonds, chocolate chips, dates, cranberries, and pumpkin seeds in a food processor, in batches if necessary, until finely chopped and the consistency of coarse breadcrumbs. Add nut mixture to teff mixture and mix thoroughly. Pour peanut butter and honey over nut and teff mixture; mix until evenly distributed.

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll the teff mixture into bite-size balls and arrange on baking sheets. Wrap sheets well with plastic wrap. Freeze until balls are firm, 8 hours to overnight.

Teff is the smallest whole grain in the world, indigenous to Ethiopia. It has a nutty flavor, and is high in protein, calcium, iron, and fiber. Toasting it brings out the nuttiness and adds a nice crunch to the recipe. You can find teff in the baking section of the health food store (Bob's Red Mill(R) is the brand I use).

You can adjust the recipe to your liking, replacing either of the nuts with a different variety, changing the dried cranberries to dried cherries, or replacing the peanut butter with almond butter or cashew butter.

If you want to increase the healthiness factor, buy natural chopped dates or shredded coconut with less sugar from the health food store, or look for a higher cocoa-content chocolate chip that has less sugar.

The hardest part about this recipe is the rolling of the bite-size balls, but if you get the whole family involved, it goes a lot faster!

Info | Chocolate Mint Protein Balls Recipe

prep: 30 mins cook: 3 mins additional: 8 hrs total: 8 hrs 33 mins Servings: 120 Yield: 10 dozen balls

TAG : Chocolate Cranberry Nut Balls

Appetizers and Snacks, Fruit,