These Coconut Protein Balls are easy to make in just 10 minutes with healthy dates, crunchy pecans, almond butter and shredded coconut. Packed with flavor, protein and nutrition for an easy grab-and-go breakfast or pre-workout snack! Gluten-free, grain-free, vegan, paleo and freezer-friendly!
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Easy Coconut Protein Ball Recipe
Looking for an easy and healthy snack for on the go? These Coconut Protein Balls are jam-packed with hearty and delicious ingredients and are the perfect snack to make if you need a super quick no-bake treat. You can throw them together in minutes and store them in the fridge all week long!
Everyone could use a healthy make-ahead snack recipe. These simple samoa energy bites have a sweet and nutty flavor that will that remind me of the popular Girl Scout Samoa Cookies and will keep you coming back for more! And it’s easy to customize them with your favorite energy ball ingredients.
Need more protein ball recipes? You’ll find 12 more delicious Protein Balls here.
What Are Protein Balls?
These Samoa Protein balls are basically little balls of superfood made with ground nuts, protein powder, dates and more. They’re an ultra-nutritious, ultra-satisfying snack for any occasion. These coconut energy bites are so chewy and flavorful, and they work with gluten-free, paleo, vegan, dairy-free and grain-free diet plans!
Are These a Healthy Snack?
You bet! Even though these coconut bliss balls are sweet and yummy, they’re very good for you as well. The dates are packed with fiber, vitamins and minerals, and the nuts provide protein, carbs and more. Overall, these energy balls are a well-rounded snack that will fuel your body and make you feel amazing!
Recipe Ingredients
Coconut protein bites come together with a handful of hearty ingredients. You can make substitutions to suit your preferences or stick with what’s listed below.
- Pecans: adds that signature Samoa cookie flavor and is full of healthy fats, important minerals, calcium and potassium makes this the ultimate energy ball ingredient.
- Date syrup: be sure to use organic date syrup for a healthy caramel flavor or you can also sub with Medjool dates. You’ll need about 4 pitted dates. Pure coconut nectar syrup or maple syrup will work as well but lacks that caramel flavor. For a low carb or keto sweetener, sub with yacon syrup or 3-4 drops of pure liquid monk fruit.
- Protein Powder:We like NuZest Just Clean or Sprout Living Pea Protein but you can use your favorite. We have not tested this with a Whey protein powder since we wanted to keep this recipe vegan but feel free to do so if it fits with your dietary preference.
- Shredded Coconut: We like to use unsweetened shredded coconut. Lightly toast them until golden either on a skillet on medium heat or bake them on a baking sheet in the oven at 315F for 5-8 minutes for even extra flavor.
- Almond Butter: To hold everything together. You can also sub with cashew butter, peanut butter (if not paleo) or your favorite nut or seed butter.
- Vanilla Extract: For flavor.
- Sea Salt: To taste.
Optional Chocolate Drizzle:
- Dairy-free chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate: Melted. We like Hu’s Kitchen Gems, Pascha’s or Lily’s Sweets.
How to Make Coconut Protein Balls
Get ready for the easiest snack of your life! These energy bites are as simple as pulverizing, rolling and chilling.
- Grind Nuts: Place the pecans in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
- Add sweetener & grind: Add the remaining ingredients and pulse until the ingredients are broken down and the mixture clumps together.
- Shape: Roll a tablespoon of the mixture into a ball with your hands. Repeat with the remaining mixture. This recipe will make about 7-8 balls.
- Optional Coconut Coating: Roll each ball into a small bowl of the reserved shredded coconut and drizzle with some melted chocolate. Chill in the fridge or freezer to set.
- Serve or Store: Keep these bliss balls in the fridge or freezer in an airtight container.
Tips for Success
To ensure your protein balls are as tasty as can be, check out the following tips and tricks.
- Use Good Dates: Make sure your dates are fresh and not stale or hard. If they have gotten stale, you can soften them up again and make them good as new! Simply place them in a bowl and pour boiling water into the bowl until all of the dates are submerged. Let the bowl sit, covered, for about 5 minutes, then remove the dates and drain out the moisture.
- Use a Food Processor: You will need a food processor or blender for this recipe in order to pulverize the ingredients. Don’t stop pulsing until the mixture starts clumping together.
- Season/Substitute to Taste: Feel free to add an extra pinch of salt to this recipe, use a different flavored extract or add another kind of dried fruit, if desired. You could also add ground flaxseeds, hemp seeds or chia seeds!
How to Store Homemade Protein Balls
You should keep these coconut energy balls in an airtight container in the fridge. I personally love enjoying them once they’ve been chilled! They’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to a week.
Can I Freeze Samoa protein balls?
You sure can! These samoa energy bites will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 1 month. Just remember to keep them in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Thaw frozen date balls in the fridge before enjoying.
More Healthy Snack Ideas
I have tons of other healthy snack recipes that you’re sure to love. Don’t be shy, give these ones a try!
These Coconut Protein Balls are easy to make in just 10 minutes with healthy dates, crunchy pecans, almond butter and shredded coconut. Packed with flavor, protein and nutrition for an easy grab-and-go breakfast or pre-workout snack! Gluten-free, grain-free, vegan, paleo and freezer-friendly!
- 1 cup pecans
- 2 tbsp vanilla or plain plant-based protein powder , we like NuZest Just Clean or Sprout Living Pea Protein but you can use your favorite. We have not tested this with a Whey protein powder since we wanted to keep this bliss ball recipe vegan but feel free to do so if it fits with your dietary preference.
- 4 tablespoon organic date syrup or sub with 4 pitted Medjool dates. Pure coconut nectar syrup or maple syrup will work as well but lacks that caramel flavor. For a low carb or keto sweetener, sub with yacon syrup or 3-4 drops of pure liquid monk fruit.
- 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut , lightly toasted for extra flavor* - plus set aside an extra 3 tablespoons for rolling
- 2 tablespoons almond butter , plus more as needed for dough to stay together
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch of sea salt
- 1/4 cup dairy-free chocolate chips , We like Hu's Kitchen Gems, Pascha's or Lily's Sweets.
Place the pecans in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
Add the remaining ingredients and pulse until ingredients are broken down and the mixture clumps together. Add more nut butter or sweetener (1 Tablespoon at a time) if mixture does not stick together.
You can wet your hands slightly (so the balls do not stick or chill the mixture in the fridge for 30 minutes before hand) then roll a tablespoon (or 1 1/2 tablespoon) of the mixture into a ball with your hands. Repeat with remaining mixture. It will make about 7-8 balls.
Optional Coconut Coating: Roll each ball into a small bowl 3 tablespoons of the reserved shredded coconut and drizzle with some melted chocolate. Chill in the fridge or freezer to set.
Store in the fridge or freezer in an airtight container.
*You can lightly toast the unsweetened shredded coconut until golden either on a skillet on medium heat or bake them on a baking sheet in the oven at 315F for 5-8 minutes for even extra flavor.
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