Banana Protein Balls
These banana protein balls are perfect for busy days. Featuring whole food ingredients and no refined sugar, they’re both healthy and tasty!
We love energy bites here at this house. In fact, it’s our favorite after-lunch treat. We have a consistent batch of them in the cupboard. And I love changing up the flavors. That’s where these banana protein balls come in handy.
Key Ingredients
- Lemon — We’ll use both the zest and the juice of the lemon.
- Oats — I used rolled oats for this recipe, but you can substitute instant oats.
- Chia — We’ll add some ground chia seeds to create a thicker texture. You can use whole chia seeds; I just prefer ground because it creates a smoother finished texture.
- Syrup — I used maple syrup, but you can substitute agave nectar.
- Milk — We’ll use almond milk for the best overnight oats! Substitute your favorite plant-based milk.
- Yogurt — I love adding some plant-based yogurt (plain, unsweetened) for an even more tangy flavor.
- Protein Powder — I add some vanilla protein powder for increased flavor and nutrients. If your protein powder is not sweetened, you may want to add an extra teaspoon or two of sweetener.
- Cornstarch — We’ll use cornstarch to thicken the lemon curd topping.
- Turmeric — A pinch of turmeric makes that lemon curd sunny yellow.
- Oats — You’ll need rolled oats for this recipe, otherwise known as old-fashioned oats. You can substitute instant or quick-cooking oats, but you’ll need to add more to make up for their finer texture.
- Dates — You’ll need 1 cup (10 to 12) Medjool dates. You can substitute 1/4 to 1/3 cup maple syrup or agave nectar (depending on your preference for sweetness).
- Peanut butter — You can substitute almond butter.
- Chocolate protein powder — There are several vegan protein powders that work great with this recipe.
- Flaxseed — You can use ground flaxseed or substitute ground chia seeds.
- Banana — We’ll be mashing one ripe banana for this recipe.
- Chocolate Chips — Everything’s better with a few dairy-free chocolate chips in the middle!
- Banana extract — This is optional, but adding a drop or two of banana extract (sold near the spices in grocery stores) can add more banana flavor. Be careful, because too much can make it taste like banana Laffy Taffy. A couple of small drops is perfect.
Why This Recipe is a Winner
- HEALTHY — Made with all-natural ingredients with no added sugars, these energy balls are a filling and healthy treat!
- KID-FRIENDLY — Make the dough and get the kids involved in rolling the balls with you.
- FREEZER-FRIENDLY — You can make a double batch and freeze half for later.
Frequently-Asked Questions
Are energy balls good for you?
Made with whole-food ingredients, energy balls are naturally sweetened thanks to dates. They’re also very filling, meaning they come with naturally-inspired portion control.
How do you store energy bites?
Store energy bites in an airtight container to keep them from drying out. They can be kept at room temperature for a few days or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. You can even freeze them for up to 2 months!
Serving Suggestions
Serve energy bites with some favorite add-ins, such as:
- Dried fruit (raisin, blueberries, cranberries)
- Dipped in chocolate just like these Vegan Peanut Butter Balls
- Vegan white chocolate chips
- Chopped nuts
Storage Tips
Store energy balls in an airtight container. They will keep up to 7 days at room temperature, or up to 15 days in the fridge. They can be frozen for up to 2 to 3 months in appropriate freezer-safe containers or bags.
More Energy Balls
If you love these banana energy balls, you’ll want even more energy bites in your repertoire. Here are some of our favorites:
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Banana Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups rolled oats
- 1 cup Medjool dates (about 10 dates with pits removed)
- ⅓ cup peanut butter
- ¼ cup chocolate protein powder
- ⅓ cup ground flaxseed (see notes)
- ½ cup mashed banana (from 1 ripe banana)
- ⅓ cup dairy-free chocolate chips
- 2 drops banana extract (optional, see notes)
Instructions
- Place the oats and pitted dates in a food processor and pulse a few times to combine.
- Add the remaining ingredients except for the chocolate chips and pulse for a few seconds.
- Use a spatula to push down the ingredients and pulse again until the ingredients are combined. Test the batter. It should stick together between your fingers. If not, add a tablespoon or two of maple syrup and pulse to combine.
- Add the chocolate chips and pulse in short bursts until combined. You can reserve a few chocolate chips to add to the finished energy balls.
- Roll the dough into bite-size balls, and roll in reserved chocolate chips.
- Store energy bites in an airtight container to maintain moisture. They can be kept at room temperature for a few days or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Recommended Equipment
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Notes
The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
I made these to pack in my kids school lunches and they were perfect. Thanks for the recipe!
These protein balls are perfect. And I love the banana flavor!
So glad you like them Eileen!