Easy Chocolate Hemp Protein Balls
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This is the ideal snack when your sweet tooth needs something fast, but you also want the staying power of healthy fats and protein! Bursting with hemp hearts, these nut-free chocolate protein balls are nutritional powerhouses filled with protein, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, magnesium, and more. Just like your favourite little black dress, they can be dressed up or down depending on your mood. I love rolling them in hemp hearts, shredded coconut or cocoa powder. For an extra luxurious energy ball, I simply dip the balls in melted chocolate and then chill them until the coating is firm.
Yield
6 large or 12 small balls
Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook time
0 Minutes
Chill time
20 minutes
Total Time
10 Minutes
Ingredients:
For the balls:
- 1 cup (160 g) lightly packed pitted Medjool dates*
- 6 tablespoons (55 g) hemp hearts
- 3 tablespoons (15 g) unsweetened cocoa powder or raw cacao powder
- 2 tablespoons (11 g) shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1 tablespoon (15 mL) virgin coconut oil
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 3 tablespoons (30 g) chopped dark chocolate (optional)
- 1 to 3 teaspoons (5 to 15 mL) water, if needed
Topping options:
- Shredded coconut
- Hemp hearts
- Unsweetened cocoa powder or raw cacao powder
- Melted dark chocolate
Directions:
- Place the pitted dates in a food processor and process until a ball forms.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the processor (hemp hearts, cocoa/cacao powder, coconut, coconut oil, salt, and chocolate, if using) and process until thoroughly combined and almost smooth. The dough should be sticky and shouldn’t be crumbly when you form a ball. If it’s not sticky enough, add 1 to 3 teaspoons of water a bit at a time, processing after each addition.
- Line a plate with parchment paper. Lightly wetting your hands if needed, shape the dough into balls and place them on the lined plate. Roll each ball into your desired topping(s) until completely coated (if needed, lightly wet the ball before rolling so the toppings stick).
- Freeze the balls for 20 minutes until firm or simply enjoy right away!
- Store the leftovers in the fridge or freezer for a quick burst of energy whenever you need one (seriously, that would be all the time in this house!). The balls will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for a week and in the freezer for 4 to 8 weeks.
* If your dates are bone dry, soak them in boiled water for 15 minutes and then drain very well. Use an old towel to press out the excess water. If the “dough” is too sticky to shape, add some shredded coconut and process again.
For a fun twist, try changing up the flavours by adding peppermint or orange extract!