We’ve all been there: you’re caught up in checking things off your to-do list and suddenly find yourself starving with nothing to eat but a bunch of snacks that have a laundry list of anything-but-healthy ingredients. Instead of reaching for that bag of potato chips or box of crackers, you want something that’s satisfying and filling enough to hold you over until your next meal. Well, you can thank me later because these PB Chocolate Chip Protein Balls have got you covered when the hanger hits!

Plus, they have great health benefits like fiber from ground flax, magnesium from cacao nibs and dark chocolate, and antimicrobial properties from the raw honey.

GAME CHANGING SNACK

When I know I’ve got a busy few days ahead of me, I try my best to set myself up for success by making one or two snacks at the beginning of the week that I know will help fuel my body and keep me satisfied. *Cue me making a batch of these protein balls.* Bridger and I love these because they taste amazing and are so versatile – we keep a stash handy in our fridge for those “grab & go” moments, pack them up for the best road trip snack, and I’ve even brought them to family & friend gatherings as a nutrient-dense nibble.

In fact, last winter when we went on a road trip down to Arizona and Las Vegas, I made these with Unreal M&M’s instead of chocolate chips and it was kind of life-altering!

These little guys only take about 15 minutes to make and are packed with ~6 grams of protein per ball, which makes them ideal for curbing hunger between meals at any time of day, or even as a delish little dessert bite. They’re sweetened with a little bit of honey, dark chocolate and cinnamon, and the cacao nibs add the perfect crunch. All of that combined with some creamy peanut butter…what’s not to love?!

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:

• single-ingredient peanut butter
• ground flaxseed
• unflavored collagen peptides (optional)
• almond flour, or sub oat or coconut flour
• Manuka honey or sub raw honey (additional 1-2 tbsp for sweeter balls)
• cacao nibs
• dark chocolate, chopped
• cinnamon
  

HOW TO MAKE PB CHOCOLATE PROTEIN BALLS

So I wasn’t kidding when I said these won’t take long to make 🙂 All you need to do is combine all ingredients together in a bowl and be sure to mix well. Roll the dough into bite-sized balls, then add a few more chocolate chips (or chopped chocolate) and flakey sea salt on top. Store in the fridge (or freezer) and enjoy!

RECIPE SUBSTITUTIONS & QUESTIONS

I like to use almond flour for this recipe, but if you’re not feeling that or do not have it in your cupboard, you could sub in 2-3 TBSP oat flour or coconut flour instead. If you prefer a sweeter taste, add an additional 1-2 tablespoons of Manuka honey. Regular honey works well here too. Also, the collagen peptides this recipe calls for is completely optional. I personally think it’s a great way to get in extra protein throughout your day, while keeping you a little more full until your next meal.

ARE PROTEIN BALLS GOOD FOR YOU? 

Protein balls (sometimes called bliss balls) are a great any-time-of-day snack that can be enjoyed pre/post workout, in between meals, or as a nutrient-dense dessert. Especially, when you know how to build them. These are filled with fiber-rich and protein-packed ingredients (like peanut butter, flax seeds and cacao nibs), they’ll help keep you fuller for longer, and they provide a bit of an energy boost we can all benefit from on the daily!

HOW MUCH PROTEIN DO I NEED?

Protein is an essential macronutrient. Every cell in our bodies contains protein, and we need protein in our diets to help our body repair cells and make new ones. The amount of protein you should be eating each day varies by person and by individual goals, but a general rule of thumb is to consume about 20-30 grams of protein per meal, or about 0.8-1.0 grams of protein per bodyweight, per day.

LOOKING FOR MORE HEALTHY SNACKS? TRY THESE:

Chewy Snack Bars

Peanut Butter Protein Bars

Raw Paleo AB&J Protein Bars

Easy 20-Minute Paleo Granola

Click here for the reel I made of this recipe 🙂