Version 1: 3 Ingredient Protein Balls
Note: If you are not paleo, natural peanut butter would also work well, or any nut butter for that matter.
Makes 8 protein balls:
Step 1: In a large glass ball, add 1 scoop of vanilla whey protein. I use Trutein or Cellucor.
Step 2: Add approx. 1 tbsp of almond milk. (See picture below to visually see how much you should be adding) Mix.
Step 3: Add second scoop of protein and another tbsp of almond milk. Mix.
Step 4: Add 3-4 HEAPING spoonfuls of almond butter
Step 5: Mix well until you get a dough. You may need to add a touch more almond milk, but be careful to not add TOO much!
Step 6: Use your hands to form into balls! Place on parchment paper.
These are ready to eat or you can pop them in the freezer for 5-10 minutes until chilled!
If you do not want to eat these right away, store in the fridge on parchment paper in a closed container.
Version 2: Almond Butter & Greek Yogurt Protein Bites
- Almond meal/flour
- Fat free or low fat plain greek yogurt (you can use vanilla flavored if you do not care about added sugar)
- Vanilla whey protein
- Almond butter
- Vanilla extract
- Stevia (or honey or agave)
- Dash of sea salt
- Dash of cinnamon (optional)
- Unsweetend coconut flakes (optional)
- Chia seeds
- Cacao nibs
- Mini chocolate chips
- Other seeds/chopped nuts for added nutrition
- Dusted coconut
- Cocoa powder
Step 1. Combine 1/4 cup of almond meal in a bowl with 2 heaping spoonfuls of almond butter and mix.
Step 2. Add 1/4 cup of greek yogurt, followed by 1 scoop of protein powder. Mix.
Step 3. Add 1 tsp of vanilla extract, dash of sea salt, and 1 packet of stevia. If using honey or agave use 1/4 cup. Mix.
At this point, your dough should be nice and thick. If too thick, add a splash of almond milk. If too moist, add more flour and/or protein powder. You do not want it to be like a pudding, but a dough you can form, so make sure not to add extra greek yogurt. I even added a touch more almond meal after this photo to make my dough less mushy!
Optional: add coconut flakes on top of these before placing in freezer. I added them to the remaining dough balls I had, but did not take a picture. It tasted really good.
Keep this version stored in the FREEZER. When you would like to eat some, take out and let sit at room temperature for 5 minutes. They taste really delicious cold!
Cookies Anyone?
Overall, they were yummy, just not as sweet as the average cookie. So if you want to make these into cookies ONLY, I recommend not using 1 packet of Stevia like I did, but using 1/4 cup-1/3 cup of honey or agave instead so they are sweeter. I think they would taste really great if I made that adjustment!
These bites are a simple protein snack you can enjoy whenever or as a pre-workout snack. No baking involved! And if you'd like an easy recipe for a protein cookie, all it takes is 10 minutes in the oven.
Wish you a Happy & Healthy Holiday,
Leighann