Peanut Butter Nutella Protein Balls

Peanut Butter Nutella Protein Balls are the perfect middle-ground when you need a high protein snack, but you really want a sweet indulgent treat! They are irresistibly delicious, made in the food processor in 15 minutes with a handful of healthy ingredients. Keep them stashed in the freezer for whenever you need a quick bite of energy!

• These Nutella Protein Balls are an Absolute Favorite in Our House! Grabbing one from the basement freezer makes me actually want to head down to switch a load of laundry! Super delicious, they are the perfect guilt-free afternoon snack, bedtime treat, or tiny dessert when you're trying to eat healthy!

• These are Vegan, No-Bake Nutella Peanut Butter Balls, packed with high-protein ingredients like nuts, seeds, oats, raisins and peanut butter with pretzels for that salty crunch. You can eat them refrigerated, but I think they are best eaten frozen! All in all, the perfect little treat-snack!

• Love Healthy-ish Treats? Try my Peanut Butter Protein Rice Krispies Treats, Black Bean Protein Brownies, and these Banana Zucchini Cookies!

Ingredients & Substitutions

• Nuts and Seeds - These Nutella energy bites are really versatile, use whatever nuts and seeds you have on hand, in any combination. Almonds, walnuts, cashews, pecans, peanuts, sunflower, chia, or pumpkin seeds are all great. They add the fiber, protein and lots of nutrition to this little treat! I like raw nuts, but roasted are fine too. Just be careful using salted nuts, as your energy bites might turn out too salty. A few won't hurt, but not the whole cup. Whole nuts, sliced, slivered, or pieces are all fine since they will be chopped in the food processor.

• Pretzels - The pretzels add the salty component for that well-loved salty-sweet taste! Pretzel shapes or pretzel sticks are both fine.

• Chocolate Chips - You can use any kind of chocolate chips or a combination of chocolate, butterscotch, peanut butter or white chocolate chips. Whatever you have and whatever you like! I also love the opportunity to use up a few fun-size candy bars from Halloween! Any kind with ingredients like chocolate, nuts, caramel or peanut butter is ok!

• Oats - Regular rolled oats add protein, fiber and a bit of nutrition to the recipe. Same oats I use for Homemade Almond Granola!

• Shredded Coconut - For flavor, texture and sweetness.

• Raisins - The raisins help with texture, to bind the protein bites together while adding fiber. You can substitute other dried fruit such as prunes or dates.

• Peanut Butter - That lovely marriage of Peanut Butter and Chocolate! Peanut butter adds a lot of protein and is one of the main flavor components of these protein Nutella energy balls. I prefer the taste of natural peanut butter with all that oily goodness, but any peanut butter will do. You can also substitute almond butter or any nut butter.

• Nutella - The star of the show! Who doesn't love Nutella? It's a little protein, not super healthy I know, but we're only using a quarter cup! And if you are out of Nutella, you can make these bites without, just sub more peanut butter.

• Coconut Oil - A healthy fat that binds everything together.

• Cocoa Powder - Adds a little extra chocolatey flavor and color. I like the dark chocolate cocoa powder.

• Maple Syrup or Honey - This adds just the right amount of sweetness.

Instructions

Step 1 - Add the nuts and pretzels to the base of a food processor. If you are using candy bars instead of chocolate chips, you can add those too to make sure they get chopped up.

Pulse 5 or 6 times to grind into a crumb.

Step 2 - Add all other ingredients and process until well combined. Sometimes I like to pulse each ingredient a few times as I add it. Blend them in one at a time.

You may need to stop a few times and scrape down the sides with a spatula or mix things a bit so the blade can get everything incorporated.

Step 3 - Use a small portion scoop to make 32 to 34 Nutella protein balls. You can roll them with your hands, but with a portion scoop there is really no need to.

Place on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.

Step 4 - Set the sheet pan in the freezer for at least an hour, then transfer the Nutella Peanut Butter Balls to an airtight container and freeze. Best eaten frozen!

Recipe Tips

• Freeze Them! - I love popping these Nutella energy bites straight into the freezer and eating them frozen (so delicious) whenever I need a quick snack. They can be eaten at room temperature right after portioning, or stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. But, I think they hold together best and have a delicious texture when eaten frozen! Keeps in the freezer for 4 to 6 months.

• Use Any Chocolate You Have! - You can use chocolate chips, but I also love to use up Halloween candy, extra chocolate Easter eggs, Hershey bars from last summer's s'mores, really any chocolate will do! If you are using larger chunks or pieces, let them pulse in the food processor with the nuts and pretzels first so they get broken up.

• These Oatmeal Bliss Balls are Super Kid-Friendly, like I have to hide them from my kids in the back of the freezer if I want them to last all week! Great to throw in a lunchbox and a perfect dessert when you don't want them to overdo it! Kids love to help make them too!

• A portion scoop is the best to form energy bites into ball shape!  You can roll them with your hands but it's really not needed.  If you don't have a small portion scoop, you can form them into equal sized balls with a spoon and roll them with your hands, but it's a lot more work! I have a couple sizes, they are great for getting equal sized Healthy Zucchini Cookies, Morning Glory Muffins, or Meatballs for Subs!

If you made this recipe, I'd love to hear how you liked it!  Be sure to leave a star rating by clicking the stars in the recipe card, or leave a comment below!

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