I cannot get over the deliciousness of these rich and fudgy no-bake chocolate crunch protein balls! Made in one bowl, no food-processor needed, they take just 15 minutes to prep with simple pantry ingredients like almond butter, almond flour, and hemp hearts for over 5 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber per ball (without any  protein powder!). Prep these to enjoy for the ultimate feel-good nourishing treat whenever that chocolate craving hits!

Chocolate-covered crunchy nut clusters arranged on parchment paper, with a glossy coating and a sprinkle of sea salt on top.

If you’ve tried my totally craveable chocolate chip oatmeal protein balls, you already know I love a no-bake snack that’s easy to make and actually satisfying. This chocolate crunch version is exactly that but with double chocolate vibes and the most insane crispy coating that really takes them to the next level.

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When I set out to make energy balls I had two non-negotiables:

  1. They had to taste like a treat first
  2. And also be filling, satisfying and boost your energy. Not drain it.

And I’m happy to report…weI nailed both.

While energy balls have two of the three components of my dietitian PFF combo (protein, fiber, nourishing fats), they’re often lacking protein. Yes, fiber and those nourishing fats are a great base to help stabilize our blood sugars and feel satisfied, but add that protein in and you’ll notice you really do feel full longer. The ultimate trifecta. 

And while most protein balls lean on protein powder, I wanted to make these without. First of all, I need our household snacks to be kid-friendly, we’re working smarter, not harder around here. And second, I just find that protein powder can take over the other flavour. I found the ultimate combo to bump these over the 5g protein mark while keep them soft, chewy and letting those natural flavours shine (more on that below)  

Test Kitchen Tips to Make These The Best Non-Protein Powder Protein Balls 

A flat lay of bowls containing sea salt, almond butter, dark chocolate chips, unsweetened cocoa powder, almond flour, maple syrup, crispy rice cereal, hemp hearts, and coconut oil on a light pink surface. Labels identify each ingredient.

These might seem like a simple no-bake recipe (and they are!), but I still tested a few versions to perfect the texture and flavour for you. Here’s what you need to know:

Maple syrup wins over dates for the easiest natural sweetener
I originally tested these with blended dates instead of maple syrup, and while they tasted delicious, I found myself annoyed at having to soak the dates, take out the food processor…and then clean it of course. After a couple more rounds of testing, I found that just 3 Tablespoons of pure maple syrup gave the perfect amount of sweetness, with less sugar, and allowed everything to be mixed in just one bowl! 

Crunch on the outside > mixed in (trust me!)
I also tested mixing the crispy rice cereal directly into the dough, and while it did keep it’s crisp more than I expected, there just really is nothing like biting right into that crispy chocolate shell.  You get that contrast of soft center + crunchy shell in every bite, which makes these way more satisfying.

The natural protein combo
It took a little testing, but almond butter + almond flour + hemp hearts it the protein power combo. No chalky protein powder taste, plus we’re getting extra fiber and omega-3, heart healthy fats in these babies! Peanut butter will also work if that’s what you’ve got on hand!

Let’s Roll These Balls!

A glass bowl filled with a mixture of hemp seeds and a mound of cocoa powder, ready to be mixed for baking or cooking.
Dump everything into one big bowl.
A close-up of a glass mixing bowl containing a thick, chunky mixture of chocolate and puffed grains, with a spoon partially visible on the left side.
Mix into a soft dough
Nine chocolate energy balls with visible white seeds are arranged on a light beige surface. The balls have a rough texture and are evenly spaced across the image.
Roll into balls, don’t worry about them being perfect
A glass bowl filled with a mixture of melted chocolate and crispy rice cereal, partially stirred together, with some chocolate smeared along the sides of the bowl.
Dip into the melted chocolate and crispy rice mixture.
A hand holding a round, chocolate-covered treat with a textured surface; more similar treats are blurred in the background on parchment paper.
Pop em in the freezer until that shell it set and enjoy!
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Chocolate-covered crunchy nut clusters arranged on parchment paper, with a glossy coating and a sprinkle of sea salt on top.

Chocolate Crunch Protein Balls (No Protein Powder)

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 5 reviews
  • Author: Lindsay Pleskot, RD
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 12 balls 1x
  • Category: Desserts, Meal Prep, Snack
  • Method: No Bake
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe

Description

I cannot get over the deliciousness of these rich and fudgy no-bake chocolate crunch protein balls! Made in one bowl, no food-processor needed, they take just 15 minutes to prep with simple pantry ingredients like almond butter, almond flour, and hemp hearts for over 5 grams of protein and 3 grams of fiber per ball (without any  protein powder!). Prep these to enjoy for the ultimate feel-good nourishing treat whenever that chocolate craving hits!

Ingredients

Scale
  • ½ cup almond butter, well stirred
  • 3 Tbsp pure maple syrup
  • 3/4 cup almond flour
  • ½ cup hemp hearts 
  • 3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 pinch sea salt
  • ⅓  cup dark chocolate chips
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • ⅓ cup crispy rice cereal
  • Flaky salt, optional

Instructions

  1. To a bowl, add the almond butter, maple syrup, almond flour, hemp hearts, cocoa powder and salt. Mix until a thick dough forms.
  2. Roll into 12 evenly sized balls. Place them on a large plate as you go.
  3. In a microwave safe dish, melt the chocolate and coconut oil together in 30 second increments, stirring in between until melted. Stir in the crispy rice cereal.
  4. Using two forks, dip each ball into the chocolate mixture, coating on all sides. Return to the plate and top with flaky salt if using. Place in the freezer to set, about 20 minutes.

Notes

Storage:

Fridge: Store in an airtight container or sealable storage bag for up to 1 week.

Freezer: Store in an airtight container or freezer bag, up to 1 month