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Healthy S’mores Protein Balls Recipe

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4.6 from 218 reviews

These Healthy S’mores Protein Balls are a delicious, no-bake snack combining the classic flavors of s’mores with the nutritional benefits of protein powder and natural peanut butter. Perfect for satisfying sweet cravings with 5g of protein per ball, these bites are easy to make, portable, and great for meal prep or a quick energy boost.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dough:

  • ½ cup natural peanut butter (smooth, unsalted)
  • ¼ cup honey (or sugar-free honey substitute)
  • ¾ cup vanilla protein powder
  • ¾ cup crispy rice cereal (like brown rice crisps)
  • ⅓ cup mini marshmallows, chopped
  • ¼ cup dark chocolate chips (for mixing in)

For the Coating:

  • ½ cup graham cracker crumbs
  • ¼ cup dark chocolate chips (for drizzling and coating)
  • 1 teaspoon coconut oil (helps chocolate melt smoothly)

Instructions

  1. Mix Peanut Butter and Honey: In a large mixing bowl, stir together the peanut butter and honey until smooth. If your peanut butter is stiff, microwave it for 10-15 seconds to soften, which helps the ingredients combine more easily.
  2. Add Protein Powder: Stir in the vanilla protein powder until the mixture thickens and becomes dough-like. This texture is expected.
  3. Fold in Cereal, Marshmallows, and Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the crispy rice cereal, chopped mini marshmallows, and ¼ cup dark chocolate chips. Use your hands to knead the mixture so it holds together; add a teaspoon of honey or water if too dry, or more protein powder if too sticky.
  4. Shape into Balls: Scoop out about 1 heaping tablespoon of dough, press firmly, and roll into a ball. Repeat until all dough is used, yielding about 20-22 balls.
  5. Prepare Coating: Place graham cracker crumbs in a shallow bowl. Melt the remaining ¼ cup chocolate chips with 1 teaspoon coconut oil in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
  6. Coat the Balls: Quickly roll each ball in melted chocolate to coat lightly, then immediately roll in graham cracker crumbs to cover all sides. Work fast before chocolate sets; reheat chocolate briefly if needed.
  7. Decorate: Arrange coated balls on parchment paper and drizzle any leftover melted chocolate over the tops for decoration.
  8. Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the balls for 10-15 minutes to let the chocolate firm up. Once set, they’re ready to enjoy.

Notes

  • Nut-free option: Substitute peanut butter with sunflower seed butter and ensure protein powder and chocolate chips are nut-free.
  • To reduce sugar: Use sugar-free honey substitute and marshmallows, and stevia-sweetened chocolate chips, reducing sugar per ball to about 3-4g.
  • Extra chocolate: Use chocolate protein powder and add 2 tablespoons extra chocolate chips for more chocolate flavor.
  • If graham crackers are unavailable: Use crushed walnuts, shredded coconut, or skip coating completely.
  • Vegan variation: Use maple syrup instead of honey, vegan protein powder, vegan marshmallows, dairy-free chocolate chips, and any nut or seed butter.
  • Add-ins: Add a tablespoon of ground flaxseed or chia seeds for fiber and omega-3s; add a teaspoon of vanilla extract for flavor depth.
  • Storage: Store in airtight container in refrigerator for up to 1 week or freeze up to 3 months.
  • Press firmly when rolling to help balls hold together despite crumbly texture from cereal and marshmallows.
  • Chill dough if sticky to make rolling easier.
  • Use parchment paper to prevent sticking when coating.
  • Cut marshmallows finely to ease rolling and prevent breakage.
  • Coconut oil in melted chocolate ensures smooth coating and prevents chocolate from seizing too quickly.

Keywords: protein balls, healthy snack, s'mores, no bake, peanut butter, protein powder, low sugar, portable snack, easy recipe

Find it online: https://cookwithlea.com/healthy-smores-protein-balls-recipe/