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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.
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 🙂