Chocolate Peppermint Energy Balls

I love a good protein ball. They are easy to make, the flavor possibilities are endless, and have the perfect amount of sweetness. With it being the holidays, I figured you couldn’t go wrong with these chocolate peppermint energy balls.

With all the cookies, candies, fudge, and other holiday desserts swarming around you this time of year, it’s nice to have some snacks or desserts on hand that help you thrive. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about balance and enjoying everything in moderation, but it’s nice having some healthy holiday treats.

These chocolate mint protein balls are made with simple ingredients and are super easy to make. The combination of the dates with the coconut butter makes the consistency of these perfect – slightly chewy while being a little dense, but fudgy.

Enjoy them as a snack, dessert, or pre-workout snack. They have a great balance of carbs, protein, and healthy fats to fill you up and keep your blood sugar balanced.

Ingredients

• medjool dates
• unflavored collagen – I like using unflavored to let the other flavors shine
• coconut butter
• dark cocoa powder
• peppermint extract
• sea salt
• water
• shredded coconut

How to make chocolate peppermint energy balls

1. Break down your dates. Place the dates in a food processor and pulse a few times until broken down into pieces. 
2. Make energy balls. Add collagen, cacao, coconut butter, peppermint extract, and sea salt and blend until combined. If the batter is not coming together, add a tablespoon of water and blend until a smooth and sticky ball of “dough” forms.
3. Form into balls. Using a tablespoon as a scoop, form 12 equal-size balls.
4. Roll in shredded coconut. Add shredded coconut to a small bowl and roll each energy ball in it, coating the outside.
5. Let set. Place in the fridge for 5-10 minutes to harder if desired.
6. Enjoy!

Storage

• fridge – store an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
• freezer – freeze for up to 6 months. You can either eat them right from the freezer (they will be a little hard) or let them defrost for a bit.

Substitutions and additions

• medjool dates – dates are what help the balls come together. There isn’t a substitute.
• collagen – I like using unflavored, but chocolate will also work. I have not tried other protein powders and am not sure if they will work as they have different consistencies.
• coconut butter – nut butter will work, but it will change the flavor quite a bit. If using one, stick to a more neutral-tasting one like cashew butter or almond butter.
• dark cocoa powder – cacao powder will work the same.
• peppermint extract – this is what gives it a mint flavor, but you can leave it out if you don’t like it.
• shredded coconut – you can skip this step if you like, but it adds a nice coating on the outside.

And here are some additions you can add:

• vanilla extract
• cacao nibs or mini chocolate chips – for a little crunch.

More healthy snack recipes

• brownie baked oatmeal
• apple cinnamon oatmeal protein cookies
• chocolate chia pudding
• peanut butter chocolate chip protein bars
• pumpkin protein muffins

If you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced plate, check out our FREE How to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!