Description
These cottage cheese protein balls are a creamy, no-bake snack that tastes like cookie dough but fuels your day with protein. They’re soft, chocolatey, and perfect when you need something sweet that actually satisfies—whether that’s after a workout or during a mid-afternoon slump.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup full-fat cottage cheese (2–4% delivers the best texture and flavor)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups almond flour (or heat-treated all-purpose flour for a smoother dough)
- ¼ cup vanilla protein powder
- 1½ cups chocolate chips, divided
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Add the cottage cheese to a blender or food processor and blend until completely creamy and lump-free.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the blended cottage cheese, maple syrup, vanilla, almond flour, protein powder, and ½ cup of the chocolate chips. Stir until a thick dough forms.
- Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes so it firms up and becomes easier to handle.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Scoop the dough into even portions and roll each one into a smooth ball.
- Arrange the balls on the prepared baking sheet and place them in the freezer for at least 20 minutes to set.
- Meanwhile, add the remaining chocolate chips and coconut oil to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in short 15-second bursts, stirring between each, until fully melted and smooth.
- Dip each chilled protein ball into the melted chocolate, coating it completely, then return it to the parchment-lined sheet.
- Refrigerate until the chocolate shell hardens.
- Transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge or freezer.
Notes
- Almond flour creates a slightly grainy texture, so if gluten isn’t an issue, heat-treated all-purpose flour will give you a more classic cookie dough feel.
- Sweetness is flexible—add more or less syrup depending on your preference.
- For a nut-free option, swap the almond flour for oat flour, coconut flour, or heat-treated all-purpose flour.
- Customize with fun mix-ins like white chocolate chips, caramel pieces, chopped candy bars, nuts, sprinkles, or mini chocolate candies.
- Keep leftovers chilled in a sealed container for quick grab-and-go snacks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts
Nutrition
- Calories: 173 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 46 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.12 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 6 mg