Two protein balls that don’t use dates – but in fact chickpeas and oats. I love dates but sometimes we can’t find them, they are expensive, and they are hard on the blender, so alternative ingredients are sometimes useful! These treats are also vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
Date Free Protein Balls
Two ultimate no date protein balls! These useful and easy protein snacks, or bliss ball, don’t require dates! So we have bliss balls without dates.
I love dates but decided to create two recipes that don’t need them since they are not always accessible and are a bit hard on the blender/processor. Of course, you can always use dates if you want. I think you will love the ease and nutrition in these two recipes.
Why Protein Balls Are Good For You
Snack balls are an important element to the healthy diet because they provide a fast route to energy. And this recipe also provides sustained energy and a feeling of fullness because chickpeas and oats are used.
Protein Balls are Useful for Weight Loss
Why? Because chickpeas and oats provide protein and fiber, and many essential minerals that provide energy. So hunger pangs are diminished. Let’s look at the nutrition the two base ingredients provide.
Why Chickpeas Are Perfect for Protein Balls
Chickpeas have a lot of nutrition, though until a few years ago they were considered to be another boring legume, haha. Three years ago or so, they rose to the level of superfood and have stayed there.
In general, chickpeas are a legume or bean that is low in fat and sodium, high in protein, fiber, iron, antioxidants. They are also high in vitamin K, folate, phosphorus, zinc, choline, and selenium – all of which are often in short supply in current diets.
Many people build them into edible healthy cookie dough recipes because they provide the correct flavor, blank palate, and color to resemble traditional unhealthy cookie dough. I did that too in this chickpea cookie dough recipe. And I used them in these other popular chickpea recipes:
I used them in this recipe today to make a chickpea protein ball, which makes sense, right? Cookie dough is malleable and high in protein, and provides the perfect texture to roll into a protein ball.
Can You Eat Raw Oats in Energy Balls?
Yes! Rolled oats are a grain that bring a huge amount of nutrition to any meal or recipe. They are full of vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants that support weight control, lower blood sugar levels, reduced risk of heart disease and even boost the immune system.
And oats are actually higher in protein and healthy fats, and lower in carbohydrates, and contain more fiber than most other whole grains. So of course, they make the perfect choice for a foundation for a protein ball recipe.
How to Make These Protein Ball Recipes
Choose the recipes you want to make, either the oat protein ball or the chickpea protein ball.
Blend or process the ingredients into a smooth, malleable batter. Chill it, roll it into balls, and coat with the coating of your choice. Keep them refrigerated until ready to eat.
Along with two different recipes, I also share with you many optional toppings for each so you can make dozens of flavor combinations. Some choices include popped quinoa, beetroot powder, cinnamon, cacao powder, cacaco nibs, goji berries, and more.
Do Protein Balls Go Bad?
Yes, at least they go stale. So store them in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for two weeks. After that, freeze for up to three months.
If you like my protein balls, you might these similar recipes:
- Marzipan
- Sugar Cookie Truffles
- Chocolate Spice Truffles
- Vegan Cookie Dough
- Easy Truffles Recipe
- Chocolate Covered Chickpea Snack
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Date Free Protein Balls
Ingredients
Oat Protein Ball
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/3 cup ground flax seed
- 1/2 cup nut butter
- 1 tbsp cacao powder
- 1/4 cup of water
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- pinch of salt
Optional Mix-ins or Coatings
- popped quinoa, beetroot powder, cinnamon, cacao
Chickpea Protein Ball
- 1 15oz can chickpeas drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup almond flour
- 1/3 cup cashew butter
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla paste
- pinch of salt
Optional Mix-ins or Coatings
- cacao nibs, goji berries, cinnamon, cacao
Instructions
Prep
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
Make Either Oats Or Chickpea Protein Ball Recipe
- Blend all ingredients for either recipe in a food processor or blender.
- The dough should be dry enough to stick together but if you find it crumbly add more nut butter (if it's the runny type), or maple syrup if you taste and would like it sweeter, or water if the taste is fine, you just want the texture sticker to be able to scoop and roll.
- Once you are happy with the taste and texture, use a cookie scoop to grab a consistent amount, and put the portions on the lined cookie sheet.
- Rub your hands with either cacao powder if your recipe chocolate, or chickpea or almond flour. Then pick up each portion and roll into a ball shape.
- You can get anywhere from 12 to 18 balls from each recipe depending on the size you make the
- Rolle the balls into any coating you choose. See ingredient list for options. Chill for 1/2 hour on the cookie sheet in the refrigerator to allow coating to set. Then store in a sealed container in the refrigerator until ready to eat.
How to Store Protein Balls
- Store them for 7 days in the refrigerator or several months in the freezer.
Notes
Nutrition
Dee Dine is founder of Green Smoothie Gourmet, a plant based recipe blog, and author of the recent cookbook, Crazy Healthy with 4 Ingredients . On this blog you’ll find incredibly easy recipes with hidden veggies for anyone wanting to eat healthier, regardless of diet. Dee has graduate degrees in biology, immunology and journalism. More about Dee Dine here.
Nadia
Both recipes sound delicious Dee! I love bliss balls made with chickpeas 😀 Great that you provided options without dates for people who don’t like them.
Dee
Nadia! I’m so glad you love bliss balls with chickpeas too! Aren’t they easy? And I feel great after eating them. I love dates too, but I can’t always find them so I had to come up with options..Dee xx
Ela
Dee! You are a genius! I never ever thought about using chickpeas in my bliss balls, definitely going to try this soon. Thanks for sharing your wonderful recipes 🙂
Dee
Ela, thank you! Yes, I was so excited these ingredients worked so well. Dee xx.
Nisha
These are right up my alley! They look so delicious and make the perfect snack!
Dee
Hi Nisha, thank you so much! Dee xx.
Izzy
These look so good – I cant wait to try them!
Izzy
Dee
Thank you Izzy, I hope you do! Dee xx.