This Chocolate Chip Protein Energy Balls (Paleo, Low Carb, No Bake) recipe is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Vital Proteins. The opinions and text are all mine.
These no bake chocolate chip protein energy balls are such an EASY and tasty healthy treat! They are little bites of paleo, low carb, gluten free, keto friendly chocolatey goodness…almost like eating cookie dough!
Not only are these a guiltless treat, but they are also very quick to make. You could probably whip them up in about 5-10 minutes.
The main ingredient in this recipe is Vital Proteins collagen peptides. It sort of doubles as the protein and the flour. Combine that with rich nut butter (Any will do! I used cashew butter, but peanut butter or almond butter work too!), chocolate chips and a few other things and you have an incredible low carb treat!
I used stevia for the sweetener to keep it low carb, but if you prefer a little more sweetness you can add some honey. I recommend adding one tablespoon of honey and one extra tablespoon of almond flour to make up for the extra moisture. Taste that and if you still want it to be sweeter add another 1 or 2 tablespoons of honey along with the extra corresponding almond flour to achieve the right texture.
What Are Collagen Peptides?
If you aren’t familiar with it, collagen peptides are similar to gelatin, but doesn’t gel up like jello when you add it to drinks. Vital Protein collagen is derived from grass fed cows. It is odorless and tasteless for the most part. Collagen will just dissolve or mix in without changing the texture or taste. That’s why I love using it as a protein add-in for smoothies, coffee or baking it into recipes.
My Love Affair With Collagen…
I literally have collagen every single day… I guess you could say I love it! It’s my most important supplement and just makes healthy eating SO MUCH EASIER for me!
Collagen is the first thing I added to my diet after I decided to stop being vegetarian as a result of crazy hunger and blood sugar problems. It really helped me with those issues and was a great transitional food that was easier to stomach at the time than meat. I knew I needed a high protein breakfast, but I’m not a morning person, so the thought of cooking up eggs or meat in the morning was awful to me. Adding collagen to smoothies or coffee is so much better for me.
Most of the time I add it to a morning smoothie or my paleo no oats “oatmeal”. For most people, having a protein rich breakfast that is low sugar and low carb is the best thing for you to keep you full, to keep healthy blood sugar levels and to avoid energy crashes and sugar cravings.
I even take collagen with me when I travel since it’s easy to pack in a baggie. If I don’t have a high protein, low carb breakfast it totally throws me off for the rest of my day and makes me hungrier and energy depleted. So if I’m in a pinch and need a bit more protein, I’ll just add some collagen to my coffee and it doesn’t change the texture or taste any different! Perfect!
Why Everyone Should Add Collagen To Their Diet
Collagen is a super easy and healthy way to add nutrition and protein into recipes. It has many health benefits like…
- Supports skin
- Maintains healthy hair and nails
- Easily digested and absorbed by the body
- Supports healthy joints
- Promotes bone strength
- Maintains digestive system & gut health
- High in beneficial amino acids
- Supports good sleep
- And more!
To learn more about the benefits of collagen and gelatin, check out my post 10 Incredible Health Benefits of Gelatin!
Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides and More Whole Food Nutrition Products
I love vital proteins because their collagen is sourced from pasture raised grass fed animals. If you are getting collagen or gelatin that is not from grass fed animals, you will not get the same health benefits. Vital proteins offers more than just quality grass fed collagen. They also offer…
- Collagen Veggie Blend (to easily get a big serving of veggies each day!)
- Grass Fed Whey Protein
- Grass Fed Gelatin
- Marine Collagen
- Beauty Waters
- Supplements (like beef liver and spirulina–both nutrient dense powerhouses!)
Chocolate Chip Energy Balls Nutrition Facts
Check for the full nutrition facts at the bottom of the recipe box below. There are a few substitutions you could make with this recipe, but the nutrition facts below are for the sugarless version. I used stevia (no honey) and stevia sweetened sugarless chocolate chips.
The thing I love about these chocolate chip energy balls is that they are sugarless, low carb and keto friendly. There are only 3.2 grams of net carbs in each ball and they have 4.3 grams of protein in each. Plus there aren’t too many calories in them either! Win-win-win!
No Bake Chocolate Chip Protein Energy Balls Recipe
- ½ cup Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
- 1 tbsp coconut flour
- 1 tbsp + 1 tsp almond flour
- ¼ cup nut butter (cashew butter, almond butter or peanut butter work best)
- 4 drops liquid stevia (for sweeter version use 1-2 tbsp honey and add in extra 1-2 tbsp almond flour)
- 1 tbsp + 1 tsp unsweetened applesauce
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup sugar-free chocolate chips
- In a bowl mix together the collagen protein, coconut flour and almond flour. Then add the nut butter, stevia, applesauce and vanilla then mix together.
- The texture should be like thick cookie dough. Fold in the chocolate chips. Take small bits of the mixture to roll into balls. Enjoy right away or store for later in the refrigerator.
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I love energy balls! I Just made some last week. These look great.
Thanks! They are a delicious snack!
I could use some energy balls right about now – feeling that afternoon slump. These look tasty!
Yes, I know exactly what you mean! They are such a good healthy treat for the afternoon slump!
Hmm I didn’t know about collagen – will definitely check this out. Thanks!
I’ve never heard about eating collagen before but sounds interesting. Great healthy recipe
This is all fantastic information about collagen! And the energy balls sound perfect right now..