An easy no bake recipe for salted caramel energy balls which are paleo and vegan-friendly! Made with just 4-ingredients, these high-protein bliss balls are also low carb, nut-free, keto-friendly and ready in 5 minutes!
Healthy Salted Caramel Protein Balls
Energy balls, bliss balls, protein balls, energy bites- these quick and easy healthy snacks are my go-to when I need a boost of energy or a mid-afternoon snack.
We’ve had peanut butter balls, chocolate coconut balls, and even unicorn energy balls.
Friends, it’s time for a nut-free energy ball and one which tastes like salted caramel!
Although I don’t have a nut allergy, I’ve always been a fan of using sunflower seed butter. I remember the first time I went to America and accidentally bought what I thought was a peanut butter cup.
It wasn’t.
It was even better…being filled with sweet and salty sunflower seed butter.
Ever since then, I’ve always had a jar of SunButter on hand. While I love the original version, I’ve started to use the SunButter no sugar added. It not only it suitable for my friends following a paleo and vegan diet, but it also fits those following a ketogenic and sugar-free diet too.
Is sunflower seed butter healthier than peanut butter?
Sunflower seed butter and peanut butter both have their own health benefits, many on par with one another. Using either is a personal preference, but as I want this recipe to be 100% nut-free and top 8 allergen-friendly, I opted to use sunflower seed butter.
Is sunflower seed butter good for keto?
YES! This is another big reason I’ve started using sunflower seed butter in my recipes- I’ve had a few ketogenic diet followers who suffer from nut allergies and wanted an alternative to nut butter.
You may be wondering how we get salted caramel without any actual caramel or sugar, and I have you covered.
Sunflower seed butter has a really mild flavor and isn’t overpowering like peanut butter or soy nut butter. The texture is still very creamy and rich, and when mixed with the other three ingredients, really gives off a delicious salted caramel flavor.
Healthy Salted Caramel Bliss Balls Recipe
You only need 4 ingredients to make these No Bake Salted Caramel Paleo Vegan Energy Balls-
- Sunflower seed butter
- Coconut oil
- Sea Salt
- Caramel flavored liquid stevia
As mentioned earlier, I used the no added sugar sunflower seed butter by SunButter. If you don’t follow a ketogenic or sugar-free diet, you can use the SunButter all natural or SunButter creamy.
If you use the crunchy option, be wary that the texture will be a little denser and you may find the balls difficult to shape.
You’ll notice I included a caramel flavored liquid stevia. This provides both the hint of caramel flavor, along with ample sweetness. Liquid stevia is keto friendly, vegan, paleo and low carb, so is a great low calorie, all natural sweetener to use.
Using liquid stevia also allows you to adjust the sweetness to the level you prefer- I stick to 10-15 drops per batch, but adjust accordingly!
Perfectly shaped energy balls
Because of the ingredients used, you’ll find that the energy ball batter is more fudge-like than dough-like.
The key to achieving perfectly shaped balls is to use a melon baller scoop or fruit baller scoop gadget- It makes it fuss-free and so easy to clean up.
Alternatively, you can simply place the batter in a loaf pan and cut it into bars!
These healthy no bake salted caramel protein energy balls are the ultimate sweet tooth snack fix ready in minutes- You have no excuses!
Salted Caramel Bliss Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup Sunflower Seed Butter
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 serving caramel liquid stevia I used 10-15 drops
- 1 shredded coconut, to roll balls in optional
Instructions
- Line a deep pan or loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a microwave-safe bowl or stovetop, melt your sunflower seed butter with coconut oil until combined.
- Add your sea salt and liquid stevia and whisk very well- A smooth, drippy batter should remain. Pour the batter into the lined pan and refrigerate.
- Once the batter is firm, use a melon scoop and form small balls. Repeat until all the batter is used up. If desired, roll in shredded coconut.
Notes
Nutrition
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A recipe with SunButter? Well this is new, and I’m delighted about that! The caramel liquid Stevia though…I didn’t even know that existed. Now that I do, I NEED to hunt it down!
Sunbutter is currently my favorite nut butter! Can’t believe these ball are pretty much just nut butter..amazing! I have vanilla stevia, but not caramel…need to go get some of that ASAP! 🙂
Sunbutter is my current favorite nut butter…can’t believe these ball are pretty much just made of nut butter! I have vanilla stevia on hand, but not caramel…can’t wait to get some ASAP to make these! 🙂
i had no idea that caramel stevia even existed. Just incase I can’t find it at the market, do you have any recommendations on what else I could use?
Hi Bryan, any liquid stevia works!
Can I use Caramel Extract in place of the Stevia?
It needs some sweetness to it!
Hi! I don’t have sunflower butter readily available where I live. Can i substitute it for something else?
Hi! any nut or seed butter of choice
Could you use honey, or molasses in this recipe? I don’t have stevia on hand, I was just wondering.
Hi! sure- Just start with a small amount of honey first, then adjust accordingly