By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 4, 2018
Walnut Brownie Protein Balls are the perfect pop-able breakfast, after workout snack, or simple sweet treat to fuel you throughout the day. This grab and go chocolate energy bite recipe is so fast and easy, you’ll want to make a batch every week. Stuffed with nutritious ingredients such as walnuts, unsweetened cocoa powder, chia seeds, walnut butter, and more…these nutty, chocolate energy bites taste like brownie batter but are packed with good ingredients!
Easy Recipe for Energy Bites
Walnut Brownie Protein Balls take everything we love about fudgy brownie batter and makes it healthy! These energy bites are the only sweet treat you need to feel great today!
I have a major sweet tooth. My husband has one too, so natural Henry has been plagued as well. We crave chocolate and caramel and all things sweet. Great for the taste buds but not great for the waist line! I’ve found the perfect solution with these Walnut Brownie Protein Balls for satisfying our sweet tooth while keeping with a fit lifestyle. These little bites are loaded with nutritious ingredients.
I love to pop one of these Walnut Brownie Protein Balls first thing in the morning before waking up Henry, have another when the afternoon is making me want a nap, and maybe have a third as a midnight snack. Pat loves them for after workouts and Henry cannot get enough as a little feel-good dessert at night. We are a family obsessed with Protein Bites!
Protein Bites are what got me through breastfeeding when Henry was itty-bitty. A glorious friend brought over a batch and I was hooked from the get-go. When I would be up at all times in the night, it was so comforting to know I could pop a Protein Bite as a reward!
Is there anything better than Walnut Brownie Protein Balls? They taste like brownie batter but are filled with nutritious ingredients. Gimme one! (or 3)
Walnut Brownie Protein Balls are made with wholesome ingredients
These little protein bites pack a crazy powerful punch! Here are some of the ingredients that we are proud to serve our family in these Walnut Brownie Protein Balls:
- Walnuts: Source of good fats – one ounce serving of walnuts has 2.5g of monounsaturated fat, 13g of polyunsaturated fat, including 2.5g omega-3 ALA, as well as 4g of protein.
- Dates: Ditch the refined sugar and use this natural sweetener.
- Chia Seeds: Rich in fiber, these little seeds provide about 10g of fiber per ounce.
- Coconut Oil: Includes medium-chain fatty acids, which are generally easily digested by the body!
- Honey: An excellent binder of all ingredients, that adds sweetness too.
- Optional Add-ins include protein powder, flaxseed meal, or old fashioned oats!
Are you getting excited to try these Walnut Brownie Protein Bites yet? The best news is they taste AMAZING and just like brownie batter. They’ll keep you coming back for more every day!
Benefits of Walnuts in cooking:
Did you know just 1 ounce of walnuts has 4 grams of protein, 2 grams of fiber, and 2.5 grams of plant-based omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (Walnuts are the only nut that contain significant amounts of this beneficial nutrient!).
I love tossing walnuts into recipes I make to add extra flavor and nutrients. Some of my favorite recipes using walnuts include:
- Baked Salmon with Basil Walnut Pesto
- Easy Candied Walnuts
- Brussels Sprouts with Pears, Walnuts, and Blue Cheese
- Baked Brie with Bacon and Candied Walnuts
- Apple Pie Cupcakes
- Homemade Brownies from Scratch
- Easy Carrot Cake Bars
What to substitute for Walnut Butter in these Protein Balls
If you have an allergy, you can substitute for Sunflower Butter! I love that this recipe has options and is perfect for each family’s individual needs.
Can you freeze Energy Bites?
Yes! Make the Chocolate Protein Balls according to the instructions below, then seal in 2 freezer safe ziplock bags (double bag). Freeze for up to three months. Allow to defrost in the fridge for 6-8 hours before serving. BOOM! So easy!
How to make Brownie Energy Bites:
Be sure to check the recipe card below for full instructions, but here are the steps for making these Protein Balls:
- Place chopped dates, walnuts, walnut butter, chia seeds, honey, coconut oil, and cocoa powder in a food processor or powerful blender.
- Blend until fully combined and smooth.
- If adding in mini chocolate chips, stir those in after blending.
- Store in a bowl in the fridge for 1 hour until firm.
- Roll into 1 inch balls and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Store in the fridge, covered, until ready to eat or freeze according to instructions above.
- Enjoy!
I cannot wait for you and your family to try these sweet and filling Walnut Brownie Protein Balls. I think they’re the perfect bite of goodness that you need to have a good day and stay fueled for everything you need to get done! I know we love them. (BONUS: These protein balls make an amazing homemade gift for new moms! When I was breastfeeding these were my go-to middle of the night snack!) Let me know how you like them!
See the recipe card below for full details on How to Make Brownie Protein Balls. Enjoy!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 1 cup Medjool dates 96 grams, about 12 small dates, pitted and chopped
- ▢ ½ cup walnut butter 135 grams
- ▢ ¾ cup chopped walnuts 85 grams
- ▢ 1 tablespoon coconut oil 14 grams
- ▢ 1 tablespoon honey 22 grams
- ▢ 1 tablespoon chia seeds 15 grams
- ▢ 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 11 grams
- ▢ ½ cup mini chocolate chips 89 grams, optional
Video
Instructions
- Combine dates, walnut butter, walnuts, coconut oil, honey, chia seeds, and cocoa powder in a high powered blender or food processor. 1 cup Medjool dates, ½ cup walnut butter, ¾ cup chopped walnuts, 1 tablespoon coconut oil, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- Blend until combined and smooth. You may need to scrape the sides. A very thick batter should form. (SEE NOTE)
- Pour batter into a large bowl and, if using, stir in the chocolate chips. ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- Place the batter in the refrigerator for 1 hour to allow to chill and harden.
- Remove the batter from the refrigerator and roll into 1-inch balls.
- Serve or store in refrigerator until ready to serve.
- If freezing, double bag in freezer-safe Ziplock bags and freeze up to 3 months. Allow them to defrost in the refrigerator for 6-8 hours before serving.
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- High Powered Blender (optional)
- Food Processor (optional)
Becky’s Tips
- NOTE: If the batter is too thick and not smooth, add in 1 tablespoon water at a time until batter forms.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Walnut Brownie Protein Balls
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- High Powered Blender (optional)
- Food Processor (optional)
Ingredients
- 1 cup Medjool dates 96 grams, about 12 small dates, pitted and chopped
- ½ cup walnut butter 135 grams
- ¾ cup chopped walnuts 85 grams
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil 14 grams
- 1 tablespoon honey 22 grams
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds 15 grams
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 11 grams
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips 89 grams, optional
Instructions
- Combine dates, walnut butter, walnuts, coconut oil, honey, chia seeds, and cocoa powder in a high powered blender or food processor. 1 cup Medjool dates, ½ cup walnut butter, ¾ cup chopped walnuts, 1 tablespoon coconut oil, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- Blend until combined and smooth. You may need to scrape the sides. A very thick batter should form. (SEE NOTE)
- Pour batter into a large bowl and, if using, stir in the chocolate chips. ½ cup mini chocolate chips
- Place the batter in the refrigerator for 1 hour to allow to chill and harden.
- Remove the batter from the refrigerator and roll into 1-inch balls.
- Serve or store in refrigerator until ready to serve.
- If freezing, double bag in freezer-safe Ziplock bags and freeze up to 3 months. Allow them to defrost in the refrigerator for 6-8 hours before serving.
Video
Notes
- NOTE: If the batter is too thick and not smooth, add in 1 tablespoon water at a time until batter forms.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
