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Looking for high protein snacks or healthy snack ideas? Make these chocolate cherry energy bites! These healthy protein balls are a super easy snack. They’re clean eating, gluten free, nut free, and vegan. Packed with protein, oats, and two types of chocolate, these protein energy balls taste like cookie dough! Add these no bake protein balls to your list of healthy snacks to make!

Healthy Chocolate Cherry Energy Bites

© Amy's Healthy Baking
Yields: 32 energy bites
These energy balls are packed with protein and two types of chocolate. They almost taste like fruity brownies — but with a cookie dough-like texture! Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep for at least four days, possibly a week or more… If they last that long!
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Ingredients 

Instructions

  • Add the cherries and water to a large microwave-safe bowl, and microwave on HIGH for 1 minute. Let the mixture cool for 5 minutes before adding just the hydrated cherries and 1 tablespoon of leftover water to a food processor. Pulse until smooth. Let the mixture cool completely to room temperature. (Tip: Place in the refrigerator to speed up the process.)
  • Add the oats, protein powder, and cocoa powder to a medium bowl, and stir until thoroughly combined. Mix in the cooled cherry paste until fully incorporated. (If the mixture is too dry, add 1 teaspoon of the reserved water at a time as necessary to bind everything together.) Fold in the chocolate chips.
  • Lay a sheet of wax paper on a large plate. Shape the chocolate mixture into 32 balls, placing each on the wax paper after rolling. (See Notes!) Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to eat.

Notes

IMPORTANT PROTEIN POWDER NOTES – READ BEFORE BEGINNING: This recipe was specifically designed for PlantFusion vanilla bean protein powder. I buy it here. Many protein powder brands and products behave differently, especially when it comes to absorbing moisture. If you decide to try substituting a different plant-based protein powder, you may need to add more protein powder, oats, and/or cocoa powder if the dough is too wet -OR- more water if the dough is too dry.
 
Do NOT substitute whey-based protein powder. The mixture will be too sticky to roll into balls and won't set properly.
 
For more tips, questions, and answers (including substitutions!), see my Protein Powder Recipes: Tips & FAQ Page.
 
IMPORTANT MEASURING NOTE – READ BEFORE BEGINNING: It's very important to measure the oats, protein powder, and cocoa powder, using this method or a kitchen scale. (← That’s the one I own!) Too much of any of these in the mixture will make your energy bites dry and crumbly, instead of soft, moist, and cookie dough-like. Too much cocoa powder will also make your energy bites taste bitter, instead of rich and dark chocolaty.
 
IMPORTANT SHAPING NOTE – READ BEFORE BEGINNING: The mixture is sometimes a little difficult to roll (thanks to its cookie dough-like texture!), so I often mold and squish it into round shapes using my fingers and palms instead. You can also moisten your palms and fingers with a little water in between shaping each sphere to minimize how much of the mixture sticks to your hands.
 
OAT ALTERNATIVES: Instant oats (gluten-free, if necessary) may be substituted for the old-fashioned rolled oats. Instant oats are also called "quick-cooking" or "one-minute" oats. Do not substitute steel-cut oats.
 
COCOA POWDER NOTES: I do not recommend substituting Dutched or special dark cocoa powder. Both of these have a different acidity level, which can affect the taste and texture of your energy bites. (I've also found these have a blander and noticeably muted chocolate flavor when used to make these.) For the best results, use regular unsweetened cocoa powder.
 
EGG-FREE, DAIRY-FREE + VEGAN OPTION: Use vegan-friendly miniature chocolate chips (I like these).
 
NUT-FREE OPTION: No modifications necessary!
 
GLUTEN-FREE OPTION: Use certified gluten-free old-fashioned rolled oats or certified gluten-free instant oats.
 
HOW TO STORE: Store these energy bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They should keep for at least 4 days, if not closer to a week or more.
 
{gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, clean eating, low fat, low calorie, high protein}
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?I'd love to hear what you think of it in a comment below! If you take a picture, tag @amys.healthy.baking on Instagram or use the hashtag #amyshealthybaking.