Banana Bread Protein Balls – All the Healthy Things

These No Bake Banana Bread Protein Balls taste like a part of me healthy banana bread but in a delicious little ball of protein. Made with 9 simple ingredients, they have the best texture and flavor and won’t take you that long. You can serve them as they are or make them a little more decadent in dark chocolate. If you’ve been wanting an easy protein-packed snack to enjoy this recipe is for you!

Quick and easy banana protein balls

Let me introduce you to your new favorite snack!

I’ve been on a kick for creating protein ball recipes and these banana bread protein balls are my latest obsession. I actually had the idea for the past few years, but never got around to trying the recipe and then a similar recipe went viral…life of a creative foodie, I tell you. Anyway, I may be late to share but this recipe is worth the wait. If you love a good bread chocolate chip banana bread but you also want to hit your protein goals, I can guarantee this combo will be one of your new favorites.

As with all of my protein balls, these come together quickly, with no cooking required. The base of the balls is naturally sweetened, packed with protein and has a hint of chocolate for the perfect touch of sweetness. You will love them.

A few important notes about the main ingredients

This is an overview of the main ingredients in this recipe. See recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.

• Protein powder: i use unflavored protein powder for this recipe, but you can substitute vanilla protein if you like.
• Blanched almond flour: this has a fine texture, creating a soft dough as it binds the ingredients together. If you can’t use almond flour, you can substitute oat flour.
• Flavor enhancers: Ground cinnamon, salt, and vanilla extract enhance that classic banana bread flavor.
• Cashew Butter: I like to use store-bought creamy cashew butter with one or two ingredients. Or, I make my own batch homemade cashew butter. You can substitute cashew butter almond butter if you prefer! Peanut butter will work too, but they will taste like peanut butter banana bread, which isn’t bad, but just a different flavor.
• Banana puree: you will need a small banana. Make sure you use ripe or ripe bananas with lots of brown spots.
• Maple syrup: this gives the protein balls a touch of sweetness and creates a sticky consistency that helps them hold their shape. Substitute honey if you prefer.
• Chocolate Chip: I prefer to use small dark chocolate chips, folding them into the dough. Then I often melt extra dark chocolate chips and dip, cut or sprinkle chocolate over the balls. Regular-sized, milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, or white chocolate will also work. Or, use a combination of your favorites! Use dairy-free chocolate if needed.

How to make Banana Bread Protein Balls

1. beat it all dry ingredients in a large bowl.
2. mix it up in the wet ingredients until a smooth dough is formed, and fold in the chocolate chips.
3. the part turning the dough into balls, rolling them between your hands.
4. freeze it until firm
5. melt Microwave additional chocolate chips, if desired, stirring every 30 seconds to prevent burning.
6. Dip and roll Bite the frozen banana bread into the melted chocolate, and transfer to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
7. Sprinkle the flaky salt on top, and leave the balls chill in the fridge or freezer until the chocolate sets. Enjoy!

Tips and tricks from Ashlea

• Make sure you use one smooth, creamy, dripping natural cashew butter for best results. Something like Jif or Skippy won’t work well in this recipe. The dough will be too dry, and the balls may come out crumbly.
• If you add too much dry ingredients and the dough seems a bit dry, try it adding an extra tablespoon of cashew butter! Or, if the dough is too wet, add additional almond flour until it holds its shape.
• Leave the dough cool slightly before wrapping and rolling. I find this makes forming the “dough” into balls much easier.
• A cookie dough ball It’s the easiest way to get these balls out and roll them. believe in me

Go Ahead and Stock Up

Refrigerator: Store leftover banana bread protein balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator a week.

Freezer: This is my favorite storage method! The protein balls will stay fresh for the longest time three months.

To freeze, place the balls on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper, and freeze for 30 minutes or until firm. Transfer the balls to a freezer bag or container to store. To serve, thaw the balls at room temperature for a few minutes to soften, and they’ll be as good as new.

Do you like this recipe? Then you’ll love these!

I hope you give these Banana Bread Protein Balls a test! They are sweet, chocolatey and great for cooking! If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can do it too snap a photo and tag @allthehealthythings on INSTAGRAM. Your feedback and ratings help support all things healthy and make it possible for me to continue creating recipes you trust and love.

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Photo: Sasha Hooper