chocolate peppermint peanut butter protein balls on a plate — Makes: *15 Servings*
Per Serving: *4g Protein | 70 Cal*

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If you’re looking for a healthy yet festive snack for this time of year, these Chocolate Peppermint Protein Balls are the perfect choice. Great for those who are looking to boost their protein intake or anyone who needs a healthy treat on the go, these slightly sweet, protein-packed balls are naturally gluten-free and ready in no time at all. The recipe also has a dairy-free option for those with dairy-related dietary restrictions, making them easily customized—you could even make them vegan!

For a quick, seasonal treat that’s as delicious as it is nutritious, look no further than these super simple protein balls that are absolutely bursting with holiday cheer!

Why You’ll Love This Chocolate Peppermint Protein Balls Recipe

Full of Protein: Each of these protein balls contains 4 grams of protein, which is just what you want to help you recover after a workout or when you need a quick and easy midday pick-me-up.
Plenty of Holiday Cheer: Crushed candy canes add a touch of festive flavor.
Easy to Make with Simple, Healthy Ingredients: Just mix up a handful of simple pantry staples in one bowl, roll the protein balls, and you’re done. No baking required.
Versatile and Customizable: Pick your favorite protein powder, nut butter, and mix-ins to make this recipe your own.

close-up photo of chocolate peppermint peanut butter protein balls in a dish

Ingredients

2 scoops chocolate protein powder (my favorite brand is Clean Simple Eats Chocolate for its clean ingredients and rich flavor)
¼ cup nut butter
⅛ cup pure maple syrup
¼ cup cocoa powder
½ tsp salt
2 tbsp almond milk
¼ cup chocolate chips (Use dairy-free if needed) - If you'd prefer, use mini chocolate chips so they're easier to incorporate into the protein ball batter
3 candy canes, crushed

Instructions

Mix the Protein Ball Base: In a large bowl, stir together the protein powder, nut butter, maple syrup, cocoa powder, salt, and almond milk until the ingredients are well combined. Use a wooden spoon or rubber spatula to stir.
Stir in the Mix-Ins: Add the chocolate chips and half of the crushed candy cane pieces. Fold in the mix-ins until they’re evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Roll the Protein Balls: Scoop out a little bit of the mixture (about 1 tablespoon) and roll it into a ball. Repeat with the rest of the mixture until you have about 15 protein balls. Place finished protein balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Roll the Protein Balls in Peppermint: Place the rest of the candy canes in a shallow bowl or on a small plate. Take each finished protein ball and roll in the peppermint to coat it. Set back on the baking sheet.
Chill and Serve: Pop the baking sheet in the fridge for at least 30 minutes so they can set. Once they’ve chilled, they’re ready to enjoy!

Nutritional Info (Per Ball - Makes about 15)

Calories: 70
Protein: 4g
Carbs: 6g
Fat: 3g

Swaps and Substitutions

Make them dairy-free: Swap the chocolate chips for a dairy-free version and use a plant-based protein powder.
Make them more or less sweet: If you’re using an unsweetened protein powder, you may need to add a little sweetness with more maple syrup. If your protein powder is a bit sweeter, you can cut back or even skip the maple syrup entirely.
Add some other mix-ins: Try adding chia seeds, ground flax seeds, crushed pretzels, and more.
Make the rolling simple: Use a small cookie scoop to make portioning and rolling the protein balls a snap.
Storage: Store these in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week—or freeze for longer!

FAQs

If you’d like, you can use vanilla protein powder instead. If you can track down a peppermint-flavored protein powder, you could use that too. Both will give the recipe a slight twist, but the protein balls will still be delicious.
If you don’t want to use crushed candy canes, you can add a bit of peppermint extract or use sugar-free peppermint candies instead. Crush them like you would the candy canes and you’ll be in business.
They’re not, but if you are following a low-carb diet, you can use a sugar-free sweetener and sugar-free chocolate chips to help lower the carb count in this recipe.
Lightly grease your hands with cooking spray or lightly wet your hands to keep the mixture from sticking to them while you’re trying to roll the protein balls. You can also use food-safe gloves if you’d prefer!
Make this recipe with almond butter, natural peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, cashew butter, or any other nut butter you prefer!
No-bake energy bites like these protein balls are great for meal prep. You can mix up a single or double batch, roll them, and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. If you want to store them for longer, freeze them for up to three months.
Consider adding chopped nuts like peanuts, almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, pecans, or walnuts, chia seeds, ground flax seeds, quick oats or oat flour, or even some crushed pretzels are all great options to add as well. If you're tracking nutrition carefully, make sure to account for the extra ingredients!
Place the candy canes in a zipper-top bag and use a rolling pin or meat mallet to crush them. You could also run them through the food processor for fine crumbs, which you might find preferable for this recipe.
If you follow a plant-based diet, make sure you're using a vegan protein powder that uses something like pea protein as its protein source versus whey protein or collagen, which aren't vegan. You'll also need to make sure you're using dairy-free chocolate chips for a fully vegan, festive treat!
Of course! If you don't love the flavor of peppermint, you don't have to add it. If you still want something festive, consider using a gingerbread or eggnog-flavored protein powder to make them a fun seasonal treat.

These Chocolate Peppermint Protein Balls are the perfect way to embrace the season while still keeping your nutrition on track, no matter the time of day. Make a batch (or two) of this easy snack and enjoy the festive flavors all season long!