Healthier than cookie dough, my Vegan Cookie Dough Protein Balls are made with plant-based protein powder and are low in sugar for a tasty treat the whole family will love. Enjoy these no-bake treats after a workout, for an easy snack, or when the sugar cravings hit!
A healthy vegan snack that tastes like dessert and keeps me full for hours? Sign me up!
These delicious Vegan Cookie Dough Protein Balls are made with your healthy, refined sugar-free ingredients and are perfect to combat unexpected sugar cravings. They’re full of protein and low in sugar for a tasty treat the whole family will love.
You’re going to love these vegan protein balls because they’re:
- So easy!
- A no-bake recipe
- Made with only 7 ingredients
- Healthier than real cookie dough!
Cookie dough protein bites are flexible and don’t require any baking. You can add fun mix-ins to the dough like chopped nuts or dried fruit to increase the flavor before rolling them up and popping one in your mouth. The balls store well in the fridge and can even be frozen for later.
If you love having an easy and filling snack ready to eat at all times, then you’ll need to make my Chocolate Cherry Protein Balls or my Vanilla Almond Balls as well. It’s so great to always have an entire platter of healthy vegan treats at the ready!
Jump to:
Are protein balls bad for you?
Not these protein balls! I used almond flour and vanilla protein powder as the base of my balls to give them extra protein. They’re still decadent and sweet thanks to natural maple syrup and mini vegan chocolate chips.
These healthy cookie dough balls are not bad for you, have lots of good fats, and enough protein to help you feel satisfied after 1 or 2. The ingredients will reduce the blood sugar spike you’d get from a handful of regular raw cookie dough but still, moderation is key. I wouldn’t down 12 of these puppies in one sitting.
Ingredients and substitutions
All you need are plant-based baking staples and some extra protein to make this recipe:
- Almond flour - These balls need to be made with flour to give them the realistic cookie dough taste and texture. Almond flour binds everything together while lending a nutty flavor and additional protein. If you don’t have any at home, you can sub oat flour, chickpea flour, or quinoa flour. DO NOT sub in coconut flour - that will make the balls dry and fall apart.
- Vanilla protein powder - Protein is important in every diet and not just vegans! Mixing powdered protein into energy balls, smoothies, shakes, and more is an easy way to keep you going for hours. Plus, the vanilla flavoring makes the balls extra sweet! If you don't have vanilla protein powder, you can sub plain protein powder (just add a little extra vanilla extract) or chocolate protein powder for a double-chocolate-flavored cookie dough.
- Mini vegan chocolate chips - I like the Enjoy Life brand but use any kind you like.
- Almond butter - Or you can use natural peanut butter or seed butter instead.
- Maple syrup - To give the cookie dough a little bit of natural sweetness.
- Dairy-free milk - I usually use almond milk but any non-dairy milk would work.
- Vanilla extract - For flavor!
How to make cookie dough energy balls
This easy no-bake vegan recipe takes minutes to make. As a bonus, the balls stay fresh all week long. Bring them to work, the gym, or carry some in your purse for an easy and filling snack. Here’s how this recipe comes together:
Make the cookie dough
Mix the dry and wet ingredients in separate large bowls. Pour the wet into the dry and mix until the dough forms.
Roll the balls
Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to scoop 1 inch balls from the dough. Roll them in your hands to smooth out the edges, then store away or enjoy!
Tips and customizing
- Is the dough too thick? Add a little bit of milk at a time until you reach the desired consistency (it should be a thick, sticky cookie dough).
- To make the protein balls nut-free, replace the almond flour with quinoa or oat flour, and the nut butter with seed butter or tahini. Make sure you use nut-free plant milk as well.
- Customize the flavors! You can easily add more mix-ins to this recipe, like rolled oats, coconut flakes, cinnamon sugar, finely chopped nuts, dried fruit, or even sprinkles. To give them a boost of chocolate, roll the balls in melted vegan chocolate and pop them in the freezer until the chocolate is set.
Make ahead chocolate chip cookie dough protein balls
This feel good snack was made to be enjoyed all week long. To prepare a batch of vegan protein balls ahead of time, make the recipe as normal and store a few balls in separate containers in the fridge for an easy grab-and-go snack. They’ll stay fresh for up to 1 week.
Can you freeze cookie dough protein balls?
I haven’t tested it but cookie dough balls should freeze quite well. Make a batch in bulk and store them in freezer-safe bags or containers. They should freeze nicely for up to 3 or 4 months. When it’s time to eat, let the balls thaw completely in the fridge.
More protein-packed vegan snacks
Stay full while getting your daily dose of vitamins and nutrients with these delicious vegan snacks:
- Snickerdoodle Hummus Dip - Like a healthier version of a cinnamon sugar cookie!
- Chocolate Protein Balls - A hit of chocolatey goodness that will keep you full.
- Port Wine Cheese Ball - Party-ready vegan cheese made from cashews and port wine.
- Sweet Pumpkin Hummus - This dip is so tasty, you’ll have a hard time believing that it’s healthy!
If you make this recipe and LOVE IT, please give it 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐!
📖 Recipe
Vegan Cookie Dough Protein Balls
Ingredients
- ¾ cup finely ground almond flour
- ½ cup vanilla protein powder
- 3 Tablespoons mini vegan chocolate chips
- 4 Tablespoons almond butter or peanut butter
- 2 Tablespoons maple syrup
- 4 Tablespoons dairy-free milk more if needed
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients together (almond flour, protein powder, choc chips) in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl add the rest of the ingredients together (wet ingredients).
- Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and incorporate until a dough forms. Add more milk if necessary. You want it the consistency of a cookie dough.
- Make 1" size balls with your hands.
- Store in fridge for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional information data is computer generated and only an estimate so it should be used only as a guide.
Mary Ellen Valverde MS, CNS, LDN is a Licensed Nutritionist and Certified Nutrition Specialist who empowers vegans to feel clear and confident about what is uniquely nourishing to them. Mary Ellen's recipes and nutrition information have been featured on Yahoo News, Parade, VegNews, LIVESTRONG, Dr. Axe, Greatist, LIVEKINDLY, Brit+Co, Well+Good, and more.
Juniper says
If I am allergic to almonds, could I use peanut butter instead?
Mary Ellen Valverde | VNutrition says
Hi Juniper! Yes, you can sub in peanut butter. They might be a little less sweet but I feel like you can't go wrong with the classic PB and chocolate combo!
R Singh says
Hi
Can you freeze them?
Mary Ellen says
Hi! I've never frozen them myself but I don't know why it wouldn't work. If you do freeze them, let me know how it goes!
E Spaulding says
These were amazing! We are trying to get healthier in my household, and these sounded delicious. I used Orgain Vanilla Bean protein powder. My 5 year old kept grabbing some out of the bowl and eating. Thank you!
Mary Ellen says
So glad you and your little one enjoyed them! I haven't try that brand of protein powder before but I'll look around for it to try. Thanks so much for posting to let me know. 🙂
Alex says
Hi!
I really want to make these but i dont have vanilla protein powder. Could i substitute it with maca powder and a bit of vanilla extract do you think?
Thanks 🙂 xxxx
Mary Ellen says
Hmmm, that might work. I haven't tried it before so I can't say for sure but if do try it, let me know!
Kimmythevegan says
I just made a batch of your vanilla almond date balls actually haha. I look forward to trying these out too. I feel like the best way to get through the work day is to pack snack balls like these =)
Mary Ellen says
It's the only way I get through the afternoon!
Christine @ Run Plant Based says
Wow, these look wonderful - a much healthier version. Thanks! I have vanilla peanut powder, wonder if that would work in place of the almond flour.
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Christine! Oooh if you do try the peanut powder let me know it tastes, I think that would be good. 🙂
Sarah says
Yes! I totally love cookie dough! These look perfect!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Sarah!
Jenn says
These sound amazing! I know I shouldn't eat all 12, but I just might! 🙂
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Jenn! I think I ate 4 in one sitting once - I actually thought I'd eat more (I've been known to down at least half a container of regular cookie dough) but they filled me up too much!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
These look really delicious, Mary Ellen! I'm allergic to almonds, but I'm sure I can figure out a substitute for the flour.
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Amy! I've used quinoa flour before and they're just as tasty!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
LOVE cookie dough! When I got to college my form of rebelling was buying a whole tube to keep in the fridge and eat raw.... lol. This recipe probably would have been a much better idea. 🙂
Mary Ellen says
Haha! That's a fun way to rebel!
Dianne says
I'm feeling snacky right now – a few of these would really hit the spot!
Mary Ellen says
They always do for me!
Kate says
These look amazing! In fact, they look like the healthy version of Timbits (donut holes) but even better. I'm going to make some tonight I think, so that I can take some to work tomorrow... Yum!
Mary Ellen says
Kate, thanks so much! I've never heard of Timbits before! They sound tasty! Let me know what you think! I love taking them to work for a not-so-naughty snack. 🙂
kateringforveggies says
I'm so sad right now... I don't have any almond flour! I'm buying some tomorrow for sure.
When you come to Canada eventually, you'll see the Timbits are everywhere! I made a vegan version for the blog last year so I'll have to make you some. 😊
Mary Ellen says
Yes, I need to try those timbits! They sound so fun!
I seem to use a lot of almond flour. I'm mostly gluten free so that comes in handy. You could probably use regular flour if you have it, I just haven't tried it with normal flour.