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My banana protein balls are a healthy, homemade snack full of real banana flavor. They’re naturally vegan, gluten-free, and made with NO protein powder!
Keen on more protein ball recipes? Try my cranberry protein balls, snickerdoodle protein balls, and carrot cake protein balls next.
Craving the flavor of banana bread but need a quick, healthy snack? You’ll love my banana bread protein balls!
Inspired by my banana protein bars and classic protein balls, I figured, why not make them into an even more convenient grab-and-go snack? Made with a shortlist of wholesome ingredients, they’re my favorite post-workout treat.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- No dates! 99% of no-bake protein balls use dates as the binder. I love dates as much as anyone, but I prefer to skip them in this recipe.
- A new way to use leftover bananas. One can only have so much banana bread before it starts to get old (or so I’m told).
- Healthy. There’s no dairy, eggs, heat-treated flour, or refined sugar!
- 20 grams of protein. And that’s all without protein powder.
Ingredients needed
- Coconut flour. My favorite low-carb, grain-free flour that’s naturally absorbent and high in protein. It also gives the protein balls a chewy, cake-like texture.
- Salt. Brings out the sweetness.
- Cinnamon. A must for any banana dessert.
- Granulated sweetener. I used erythritol, but you can use any sweetener or even regular brown sugar if you prefer.
- Banana. The riper the banana, the sweeter your banana bites will be.
- Peanut butter. Smooth and drippy, with no added sugar or salt. Alternatively, use any nut butter, like almond butter, cashew butter, or even sunflower seed butter.
- Maple syrup. For sweetness and to soften the protein bites. Agave nectar or honey can also be used.
- Milk. I used unsweetened coconut milk, but any milk will work.
- Chocolate chips. Optional but recommended. For added texture, I used a mix of mini sugar-free chocolate chips and regular chocolate chips.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
How to make banana protein balls
Step 1- Prep. Line a baking sheet or plate with parchment paper.
Step 2- Mix. In a blender or food processor, blend the banana until smooth. Add the other ingredients except the chocolate chips. Once combined, fold in the chocolate chips.
Step 3- Shape and chill. Using a cookie scoop, form bite-sized balls and refrigerate for 20 minutes to firm up.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Adjust the consistency. If the batter is too thick, add extra milk. If it’s too thin, add more coconut flour. The dough should be firm but malleable.
- Swap the coconut flour. Try blanched almond flour or oat flour instead. Just note you’ll need to add more as neither is as absorbent as coconut flour. Start with 1 ½ times the amount and add more as needed.
- Amp up the protein. Add 1-2 scoops of vanilla protein powder and adjust the texture with more milk. I’d suggest avoiding whey protein powder as it can make the balls difficult to shape.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftover banana bread energy balls should be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
To freeze: Place leftover energy bites in a freezer-safe bag and freeze for up to 6 months.
More ways to use leftover bananas
Banana Protein Balls
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup coconut flour sifted
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1/4 cup allulose * See notes
- 1 medium banana about 1/4 cup mashed
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/4 cup peanut butter can use any nut or seed butter
- 1/4 cup milk ** See notes
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips optional
Instructions
- In a high speed blender, food processor or mixing bowl, blend your banana until smooth. Add the rest of your ingredients, except for the chocolate chips. If your batter is too thick, add a little extra milk. If too thin, add more coconut flour. Fold through your chocolate chips.
- Using your hands, form into bite sized balls and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to firm up.
I have made these twice. I followed the recipe exactly the 1st time. Turned out yummy.
The 2nd time I tripled the recipe and made a little bit of a change, I used 1 cup of each coconut, almond and walnut flour and they came out even more delicious. Thank you for the yummy recipe.
Thank you so much, Surinder!
Just made these (a little bit adapted) for my 16 month-old toddler and he loved them!!! He grabed three at once: had a mouth full and a happy face 😛 I don´t give him sugar yet, therefore I was looking for something with honey, which is the only sweetener he tried so far and in small quantities. Even though I skipped the coconut sugar, chocolate and protein powder, it came out wonderfuly and was a big hit! I just love everyting you post and my little one is already a fan! :*
Aw that means so much- Hope the little one enjoyed it 🙂
Hello! I love raw recipes!!!! Yours! :))) Please don’t stop with them! 🙂 I’m vegan and trying raw vegan… And I love to eat something sweet… 😀 thanks for all you share with us. Kisses from Brazil, Rio de Janeiro.
Hi!!! That is so sweet of you!
I totally have a problem… I realize it has been two years since you posted this recipe, but…
I didn’t have any gluten-free oat flour on hand, and I’m too lazy to grind up oats at the last minute. So these were made with almond flour instead of oat flour.
Now for my problem…
I made an entire batch, and I made the balls fairly small, and my children have devoured more than three-quarters of them and they aren’t even fully set yet. How am I supposed to have some of these leftover for tomorrow… And are these a suitable substitute for dinner?
Also, in case it wasn’t obvious… These are delicious. And thank you so much for this recipe. We have both wheat and dairy allergies so baking is something that’s quite interesting to achieve. We made a couple other recipes. And your blog as one of our favorites to check back with. I especially appreciate the no-bake stuff, because it means that I don’t have to heat the house up to make a quick treat for the kids.
Hello,
I tried making these today and mine needed about a cup of almond milk to achieve more of a thick batter but they don’t look like the photo in the recipe and are still much more dry. I followed the recipe exactly and used almond butter for the nut butter, sugar for the granulated sweetener, honey for the liquid sweetener, and almond milk for the dairy free milk. They are very light in color and as I said on the dry side, they don’t appear to have that soft gooey texture of yours. Any advice? Could it have been the combo of ingredients I used? The coconut flour flavor is very apparent over the others. Thanks!
Hi Alyssa! For sure- Do you mind telling me what brand of coconut flour you used? Many vary brand to brand and some are very absorbant and can be quite difficult to work with. Also, for the optimum texture, I really recommend overripe bananas which lend themselves beautifully to them.
who gives a crap how many no-bake recipes you have?!?! This is your blog, not theirs. I personally LOVE no bake recipes, especially during the warmer months. They are usually quicker to make also. Keep the awesome recipes coming!!!
🙂 Thanks so much, CJ- Appreciate it! (And more no bake to come, ha!)
I love no bake recipes! I’m a busy mom of 4, I barely have time to pee let alone bake! Thank you and keep on no-baking!
Ps. My 13 year old son would take a 1/2 gallon carton of nut milk to school if I’d let him!
Thanks so much, Kelly! 🙂
I know what happened. I think my banana was not ripe enough. I just added another one, quite ripe from my freezer. That made all the difference! Very good. Thanks.
I tried this yesterday, I couldn’t form them into balls because the batter was too sticky (maybe it’s because I used whole wheat flour it was the only flour that I had lol)
Hi Alex- I do recommend using oat/coconut flour, as they really help bind them 🙂
Can it use ap flour??
Hi! You can- However, I’m not the biggest fan as it comes out slightly gritty!
Hello Arman, are the measuring cups yo uuse Australian or US cups?
thanks
Hello Floriane! They are US cups 🙂
Pshh, who doesn’t love no bake and what is wrong with that person? Regardless, if it led to this recipe then I thank them! If it’s ok I’m featuring it on my Friday Favorites (www.chasingmyhalo.com). Keep them coming!
Hey Angie! Thanks for your kind words and for linking me- Would you able to use a small picture and not my long pin? Thanks 🙂
Hi I just found your recipe through pinterest I love these as a lunch box idea and no baking PERFECT!! My son’s have nut allergies so I’m thinking I will sub the nuts for seeds and the cashew milk for rice milk. Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
OH yay! Thanks so much, Monique! Hope the little ones like it 🙂
Do you think it would be okay to use normal flour and milk? I love cashew milk, but don’t have any in my fridge right now..and I never have gluten free flour on hand.
Hi Hannah! I would recommend oats or ground oatmeal over flour- I find normal flour to be quite bitter and dry- Any milk will work 🙂
These are the best! I keep tinkering with the recipe. I use half almond flour and half coconut and double the recipe. I also use sunbutter instead of cashew. This is my second batch and I barely needed any cashew milk. In fact I didn’t use any for the first 12 balls and then the dough started to crumble. I probably put too many vegan chocolate chips and coconut flakes because these did not want to roll as I got to the end! They taste amazing though!!!! And helped me lose 5 lbs last week! Thanks vegan dude! p.s., I used unsweetened cashew milk and added a tablespoon of vanilla to cut the sugar. Heheh!
If I want to use real milk, is it a direct substitution, or would I use a different amount? Also, can I use all-purpose flour? Thanks.
Definitely use the same amount of whole milk 🙂 All-purpose flour, tends to give it a really gritty texture- Can you use rolled or quick oats? 🙂
OMG!!! These are amazing! I’m just a regular gal trying to cut out as much processed sugar as possible, but still trying to satisfy my ravenous sweet tooth. I saw this and knew I had to make them. I used regular white flour, 2% milk (only 2 TBSP), all natural peanut butter, honey and 6 packets of Splenda (which I probably didn’t need) and omitted the protein powder. I tested them on my 4-year-old daughter and she wasn’t happy when I only let her have two! She wanted to keep noshing. I will definitely be making these regularly as a healthy snack.
Alisha!!!! Thank you so much for your kind words and I LOVE it when recipes are kid approved- Seriously, they have the best tastebuds 🙂
Have a great day, Alisha and give the little one a hi 5 from me!
“I turned on my oven to make some roasted potatoes to go with some **seafood** I’d picked up at the store earlier that day”
“I then cursed ‘Anonymous’ (even though it was not their fault my face got the sauna treatment) and proceeded to eat my potatoes with my **chicken**”
Which was it? Seafood or chicken?
Hey there! thanks so much for picking that up- Beyonce’s picture threw me off ha! It was seafood (broiled salmon) Cheers!
i’m assuming that actual milk can be used instead of soy milk. Correct? These sound delicious!! I love “nana” bread, but would like a healthier option.
Hi Alisha! You are absolutely correct, you can use any milk of choice- Although add one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached! 🙂
You are so so awesome!! Just found your blog and I am obsessed!! Your photograph, writing style, and {obviously} your recipes are absolutely fantastic!!! *PS no bake recipes are my favorite;) Thanks for doing what you do!!
Thanks so much- This means a tonne! 🙂
I absolutely adore the no bake recipes, hit the jackpot stumbling upon your page! Mommy to 4 being able to whip up simple yet yummy and NOT so bad for you treats is wonderful, thanks and keep sharing 🙂
Cali, this comment absolutely made my day- That’s my goal- easy quick and healthy recipes 🙂
OK I made them this morning…mine are more like ummmm cookie dough LOL…not sure where I went wrong…but they still taste good!
Oh no! Sorry to hear that- It often can be attributed to the brand of protein powder or amount of liquid you use! 🙂
Holllllaaa at 40 No-Bake recipes. So not mad. And these banana babes…. *heart eyes*
Hahaha thank you, Natalie!
These looks cute and perfectly delicious… I love all no bake recipe!
I love banana bread, but I love the idea of no bake banana bread more. And the addition of chocolate chips just takes this over the top. So, team chocolate, because chocolate+bananas=amazing.
The BEST combination- Thanks Heather!
Everything you post…I wanna make. STOP IT!! Just kidding don’t because you are brilliant. I am such a snacker/healthy treats/indulgent treats everyday so your recipes are always right up my alley. Also my Monday has been craziness so therapy baking is happening once I am done with all the hoopla-business. These may have to make the list 🙂
Please do!!! 🙂
I haven’t turned the oven on in forever, although since we just turned the AC on today, there’s a chance we might use the oven this week. We shall see. Tonight’s dinner was leftovers from Saturday so all we used was the microwave. Score.
I love anything and everything banana, bites and all.
No bake is perfect for summer, and these look delectably gooey!
Thank you so much 🙂
Anonymous can bite it because no bake is where it’s at, yo! Especially in the form of banana bread bites!
Hahaha bite these balls. You rock, Gina!
Banana bread is the bomb.com. Thanks for making it into a no-bake form! Now I have use for all these bananas that are browning….
Thanks Jess! enjoy!
These sound crazy good! Keep on with the no-bake recipes! #rebelsrule
Thanks so much Mandy! 🙂
You are definitely king of no bake and I think that is a good thing. Who wants to bake when its hot outside?! I think people who don’t have anything nice or constructive to say should back off. And these look delicious! I wonder what Anonymous will have to say…lol!
Haha thanks so much 🙂 I appreciate it!
I never turned off my oven – it’s been running all summer – what can I say – I like it HOT! 🙂
Arman – I am loving the texture of these no bake banana bites! so what was the reasoning behind Anonymous’ was warning against posting any more no-bake recipes? I say you should guard these recipes and open up a no bake bakery and we will all be lining up!
Hahahaha thanks so much, Shashi 🙂
Lve your no-bake delights! Don’t you ever stop! 😉
Banana bread is SERIOUSLY my favorite. I studied abroad in Sydney and the cafe’s there literally had the best banana bread I’ve ever had. I don’t know what it was, but holy crap so good.
And I gotta go with TEAM CHOCOLATE <3
Thanks Ashley- Banana bread is my favourite too! OH wow- That is awesome- I worked in Sydney last year 😀
Dear Arman, I must admit, not even this hot summer has kept me from turning on my oven! It’s nice to no-bake recipes to refer to however, no matter what time of year, especially when it comes to healthy snack foods like these banana bites. I thoroughly enjoy your recipes and posts, Arman. Keep up all the good & delicious work my friend. Take care, Catherine
Thanks so much for your kind words, Catherine- It means the world 🙂
Greedy girl goes for chocolate and vanilla! I love cashew milk. It’s my favorite at the moment.
Sometimes I wonder what these Anonymouses suppose to achieve with comments like that! Does that make them feel better? How very sad!
On the other hand maybe I should say thank you to her/him because otherwise we wouldn’t have gotten this recipe 😉
Right? Thanks Juli!
These no bake bites look perfect to make in this hot weather! Since I love coconut flour, I will try that version.
YES! Great to see another coconut flour fan 🙂
I love no-bake recipes – especially this time of year! I love these little banana bread bites – what a genius idea!!
Thanks so much 🙂
I think I threw my oven out…TEAM VANILLA! (…with sprinkles)
Oh no that’s no good!
I haven’t made any no bake bites YET – anything that is quick and easy has got to be good. So I’m watching my bowl of bananas for a real ripe one and I will give it a go, although I have had some serious FAILS with coconut flour! I have been following your blog for a while and watching with interest how it is evolving. Enjoy your Aussieisms cause I’m one – but seriously, as a newish blogger – your on a winner. Keep up the good work and the humour.
Thanks so much, Roz- Great to see a fellow Aussie on here!
HAHAHAHA i am so obsessed with you i cant even take it. the beyonce meme might be one of my favorite ever. and the fact that my oven is so hot it makes the fire alarm go off is quite sad. or the fact that i can’t put on make up and then cook something unless i want to melt into the wicked witch of the west.
i have a scary obsession with banana bread and chocolate chips and the fact (there’s alot of facts in this comment) that I also have chocolate chip banana bread nut butter is just saying DONT PUT THE DAH IN DUMB MERE and hop on this recipe now.
i would like to thank anonymous, because it fuels the no bake… fire? is than an oxymoron?
Hahahahah you are beyond amazing. I have a banana bread recipe to share which I think you’ll enjoy 😉
is peanut butter a nut butter?
Technically it’s a legume but you can use it any recipe which asks for a nut butter 🙂
These look awesome! Love that they are NO BAKE too!!
Thanks so much, Kelley! 🙂
Team chocolate!! As for bread that is SUPER tough….I’d eat pumpkin, banana and carrot zucchini in a heartbeat! Anyways, that “anonymous” has no idea what he/she is talking about LOL! I hate bake recipes because I get so impatient! These look amazing! Sounds weird but I’d make these, put them in a bowl and have them with almond milk like cereal XD
That sounds delicious, Cassie!
um… can I be on both teams? if I HAD to choose, OH DANG I just cannot.
my favorite sweet bread is probably pumpkin, though. which could go well with chocolate or vanilla equally, so… still no answer, I am going to need both team jerseys.
YES. YES YES YES.
Team #nofuss
I have a couple of overripe bananas sitting on my counter. Now I know exactly what I am going to use them for! 🙂
Thanks, Alison- Enjoy! 🙂
i never even thought of using a liquid. But the cashew milk — HOLY MOLY YES! Brilliant mr no bake man! I’d go with vanilla
So good- Thanks Linds!
Rock on with your no-bake self! Especially in the summer! who wants to bake snacks all the time!?
Right? Thank you Kaila!
Dude! Banana bread is one of my favorite comfort foods ever!! But let’s be real, I can’t go a week without turning on my oven. I just love to bake too much. Maybe I do rotate out to the grill a good bit in the summer, but I still have to have my homemade breads. Yum! And and definitely Team Vanilla. No question there. I actually tried tasting vanilla extract by itself the other day. Umm, don’t do that.
WHAT! Fun(ish) Fact- In some supermarkets in Australia, they ID you when you buy vanilla extract because of the alcohol content!
I way prefer no bake snacks to baked ones anyways! Baking is 50% more work which means I’m 50% less likely to make them. 😛
Hahaha right? Thanks Chelsea!
I love the no bake recipe even though I still use the oven all the time in the summer. They make great on the go snacks! My favorite quick breads are banana and pumpkin, but u love zuchinni bread in the summer!
Thanks heaps, Catherine! 🙂
I love chocolate but for some things, I prefer vanilla. I do use the oven in the summer but sometimes try to cook on the stove top or use my toaster oven (which is a convection oven too) instead of the main oven when I can.
I hope you have a raging AC on too 😉
Can’t get enough of the no bake snacks and treats! I’m team vanilla for the most part although I can be pretty easily talked into chocolate 🙂
Thanks Michele 🙂 I hope you’ll like a recipe coming soon then- Vanilla Fudge haha!