Strawberry Cheesecake Protein Balls Recipe
These Strawberry Cheesecake Protein Balls are a delicious and nutritious no-bake snack combining the creamy richness of cream cheese with the fresh flavor of freeze-dried strawberries and the protein boost of vanilla protein powder. Perfect for a quick energy bite or post-workout snack, these protein balls are easy to make and store well in the fridge.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 protein balls 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup vanilla protein powder
- 1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries (crushed into a fine powder)
Wet Ingredients
- 4 oz softened cream cheese (full-fat or reduced-fat)
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Add-ins
- Chia seeds (optional)
- Mini white chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Soften the cream cheese and gather all ingredients. Crush the freeze-dried strawberries into a fine powder using a food processor or by placing them in a zip-top bag and crushing with a rolling pin.
- Combine Ingredients: In a food processor, combine the rolled oats, almond flour, vanilla protein powder, softened cream cheese, crushed strawberry powder, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Blend until the mixture forms a dough that sticks together but is not overly sticky.
- Adjust Consistency: Check the dough’s consistency. If it is too dry, add water or milk one teaspoon at a time until it holds together well. If the dough is too sticky, sprinkle in a bit more almond flour and mix.
- Form Balls: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, portion out the dough. Roll each portion between your palms to form 1-inch diameter balls. If desired, incorporate optional chia seeds or mini white chocolate chips during rolling for extra texture and flavor.
- Chill: Place the formed protein balls onto a parchment-lined tray or plate. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow them to set and firm up.
- Store: Transfer the chilled protein balls into an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to one week, making them convenient grab-and-go snacks.
Notes
- Freeze-dried strawberries can be replaced with other freeze-dried berries for varied flavor.
- Use full-fat cream cheese for a richer texture or reduced-fat for a lighter option.
- Adjust sweetness by varying the amount of honey or maple syrup.
- For a vegan version, substitute cream cheese with a vegan alternative and use maple syrup instead of honey.
- If you don’t have almond flour, finely ground nuts or oat flour can be used as a substitute.
- These protein balls are best stored in the refrigerator to maintain their shape and freshness.
Keywords: strawberry protein balls, no bake protein snacks, cheesecake protein balls, healthy snacks, post-workout snack
