These Birthday Cake Protein Balls are made with sliced almonds, crunchy cashews, sweet dates, natural sprinkles and packed with protein and fiber. In just 10 minutes, you can whip these funfetti energy bites up 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 Birthday Cake Protein Ball Recipe
Looking for a quick and healthy snack to keep on hand throughout the week? These Birthday Cake Protein Balls are jam-packed with hearty and delicious ingredients and make the perfect grab-and-go or post workout 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 energy bites have a sweet and nutty flavor with fun sprinkles that will keep you coming back for more! And it’s easy to customize them with your favorite energy ball ingredients. Looking for more protein ball recipes? You’ll find 12 more delicious Protein Balls here.
What Are Protein Balls?
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 birthday cake bliss balls 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 funfetti 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 birthday cake energy balls are a well-rounded snack that will fuel your body and make you feel amazing!
Recipe Ingredients
Birthday cake 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.
- Cashews: About 1/2 cup.
- Sliced Almonds: You’ll need half a cup. Swap with pecans or walnuts if you prefer.
- Unsweetened Coconut Flakes: Helps bind the protein balls together and adds texture and natural sweetness.
- Medjool Dates: You’ll need about 1 cup of pitted dates.
- Protein Powder: We like this plant-based protein powder. If you’re not a fan of protein powder, sub with ground flaxseeds or ground hempseeds. 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.
- Cashew Butter: To hold everything together. You can sub with any creamy nut butter or seed butter you like.
- Vanilla Extract: For flavor.
- Almond Extract: Optional but adds that signature birthday cake flavor.
- Sea Salt: To taste.
- Cinnamon: For flavor.
- Sprinkles: Optional but gives these that signature funfetti look. We like these sugar-free or naturally colored / vegan sprinkles.
How to Make Birthday Cake Protein Balls
Get ready for the easiest snack of your life! These energy bites are as simple as pulverizing, rolling and chilling.
- Add ingredients to a food processor: Add cashews, almonds, coconut flakes, protein powder, dates, nut butter, vanilla, almond extract, cinnamon and salt to a food processor.
- Grind: Process ingredients until a sticky cookie dough forms. The dough should be pinch-able and stick together when you press it with your hands. Add more nuts or nut butter as needed to adjust the consistency and taste.
- Add sprinkles and shape: Transfer the dough to a large bowl. Fold in sprinkles (if using) and mix to combine. Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Press a few more sprinkles in each ball (to make them prettier), if desired.
- Serve or Store: Store in a resealable bag or airtight container in the fridge (for up to 1 week) or freezer for up to 3 months.
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 coconut flakes or chia seeds!
How to Store Homemade Protein Balls
You should keep these apple cinnamon 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 These?
You sure can! These funfetti protein balls 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
We have tons of other healthy snack recipes that you’re sure to love. Don’t be shy, give these ones a try!
These Birthday Cake Protein Balls are made with sliced almonds, crunchy cashews, sweet dates, natural sprinkles and packed with protein and fiber. In just 10 minutes, you can whip these funfetti energy bites up for an easy grab-and-go breakfast or pre-workout snack! Gluten-free, grain-free, vegan, paleo and freezer-friendly!
- 1/2 cup cashews
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds , can sub with more cashews or other nuts of choice
- 1/3 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 2 tablespoons vanilla or plain plant-based protein powder , we like this plant-based protein powder. If you’re not a fan of protein powder, sub with ground flaxseeds or ground hempseeds.
- 1 cup pitted medjool dates tightly packed
- 1/4 cup creamy unsalted cashew butter or any nut butter / seed butter of choice
- 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon pure almond extract , optional but adds that signature birthday cake flavor
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar-free or naturally colored / vegan sprinkles , plus more for pressing. Optional but adds that funfetti look. We like these sugar-free or naturally colored / vegan sprinkles.
Add cashews, almonds, coconut flakes, protein powder, dates, nut butter, vanilla, almond extract, cinnamon and salt to a food processor.
Process ingredients until a sticky cookie dough forms. The dough should be pinch-able and stick together when you press it with your hands. Add more nuts or nut butter as needed to adjust the consistency and taste.
Transfer the dough to a large bowl. Fold in sprinkles (if using) and mix to combine.
Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Press a few more sprinkles in each ball (to make them prettier), if desired.
Store in a resealable bag or airtight container in the fridge (for up to 1 week) or freezer for up to 3 months.
How to Store
Keep your energy balls in an airtight container in the fridge. We personally love enjoying them once they've been chilled! They'll stay fresh in the fridge for up to a week.
How to Freeze
These bliss balls 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.
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