These Protein Snowballs are basically homemade energy balls with a festive twist. A mixture of nuts, dates, cherries, cocoa and protein powder all rolled into a ball and covered in coconut to look like a snowball. We might not get a white Christmas this year, but these Christmas energy balls will make up for it!
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I think we could all do with a bit more energy during the festive season, right? Whilst snacking during Christmas might usually consist of cheese and crackers or a handful of chocolate (nothing wrong with that of course), these protein snowballs are a healthy way to snack, but with a festive twist.
We love homemade energy balls (also called bliss balls) at every time of year, but the combination of chocolate and cherry just tastes like Christmas. Rolling them in coconut to look like a snowball just makes them look even more festive.
Looking for some more Christmas snack ideas? Why not try our speedy Chocolate Button Reindeer, easy Merry Mix, cute Strawberry Santa Hat Brownies or our delicious Cinnamon Roasted Almonds?
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Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Dates - We used Medjool dates, as they are really soft and have an amazing caramel flavor. But, any dates work. If using smaller ones then you might need to add some extra ones.
- Dried cherries and cranberries - Cherries and cranberries just scream Christmas, don't they! You could use raisins instead, but we think these go really well with the chocolate flavor.
- Almonds - Any nuts work here, but we find almonds the cheapest to make a budget friendly snack. I do also like walnuts and pecans too.
- Chia seeds - Another way to boost the protein. You could use pumpkin or sunflower seeds instead.
- Protein powder - This gives the festive energy a protein boost. This is the Protein Powder that we use as it doesn't have anything artificial in it.
- Cacao powder - We use cacao, but you could use dark cocoa powder instead.
- Water - This helps to make the mixture sticky and rollable. Add 1 tablespoon at a time, as you might need more or less.
- Desiccated coconut - This is what the protein snowballs are rolled in to give that snowball effect.
Variations
The great thing about these Christmas energy balls is that they are SO adaptable. So, you never have to make them the same way twice and you can use what you have, rather than buying extra ingredients.
You can use any dried fruit, nuts or seeds, just keep the amounts the same. When it comes to the protein powder, we used chocolate to give these protein ball an intense chocolate flavor, but you could use vanilla or your favorite flavor blend.
If you wanted to make them a little more indulgent, but still looking like a snowball then you could roll them in grated white chocolate rather than coconut.
How To Make Protein Snowballs
- Step 1: Add the dates, almonds, cherries, cranberries, chia seeds, cacao powder and protein powder to a food processor.
Add a small amount of cold water.
- Step 2: Process until the mixture is firm, but slightly sticky.
- Step 3: Roll the mixture into fifteen balls and then roll in the coconut.
Serving Suggestions
We just eat these as they are. However, if you want to make them into more of a filling snack, then you could crumble them on to some Greek yogurt and top with berries.
They are also delicious crumbled on to oatmeal (porridge). And they also go great on a Christmas Snack Board.
Dannii's Top Tips
- Make sure to add the water a little at a time, as you may need a bit more or less.
- You don't have to add protein powder. You could just use extra cacao or cocoa powder instead.
- How long you blend these for will depend on the kind of consistency you want. If you want the nuts chunkier, then don't blend for as long.
Frequently Asked Questions
These store really well. Keep them in an air tight container and they will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
More Snack Recipes
If you've tried these festive energy balls, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Protein Snowballs
Ingredients
- 5 Medjool dates - de-stoned
- 30 g (0.25 cups) Dried cherries
- 30 g (0.25 cups) Dried cranberries
- 60 g (0.5 cups) Almonds
- 30 g (0.25 cups) Chia seeds
- 2 tablespoon Protein powder
- 2 tablespoon Cacao powder
- 2 tablespoon Water
- 2 tablespoon Desiccated coconut
Instructions
- Add the dates, almonds, cherries, cranberries, chia seeds, cacao powder and protein powder to a food processor. Add a small amount of cold water.
- Process until the mixture is firm, but slightly sticky.
- Roll the mixture into fifteen balls and then roll in the coconut.
Recipe Tips
- Make sure to add the water a little at a time, as you may need a bit more or less.
- You don't have to add protein powder. You could just use extra cacao or cocoa powder instead.
- How long you blend these for will depend on the kind of consistency you want. If you want the nuts chunkier, then don't blend for as long.
Nutritional Information
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The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
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