Chocolate mint protein balls are one of the best energy bite recipes, especially during the holiday season. Chocolate and mint compliment each other so well and these make a great addition to your holiday cookie tin!
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Why You'll Love This Chocolate Mint Protein Balls Recipe
These mint chocolate energy balls are a healthy snack that taste like Thin Mint cookies. They're made with simple ingredients and have the best texture: slightly chewy but still melt in your mouth.
I love making these to put into holiday cookie boxes or to store in the freezer for whenever the chocolate craving hits!
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl - be sure there's enough space in the mixing bowl to actually mix these chocolate peppermint bliss balls!
- Rubber spatula - this is my favorite utensil for mixing stickier recipes like these energy bites.
- Medium baking sheet - you want enough space to spread out the balls (this recipe makes ~26) but also enough space to chill the bites in the fridge or freezer. I recommend testing out your baking sheet ahead of time by making sure it fits in the fridge/freezer before making the protein balls!
- Parchment paper - I love using parchment paper to prevent any sort of sticking to the sheet.
- Tablespoon - using a tablespoon will ensure uniform sizing for each energy bite!
- Small microwave-safe bowl (or liquid measuring cup) - melting the chocolate to drizzle on top is very easy in the microwave. Just be sure to use a bowl that's safe to get hot!
- Fork or small whisk - either are perfect for drizzling melted chocolate on top of these chocolate mint protein balls!
Ingredients
Full ingredients, measurements, and instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Chocolate protein powder - my go-to protein is a whey protein isolate but you can use any type you want! Just be aware that plant-based protein powders absorb more liquid so you may need to add a little water or almond milk to get the consistency just right. I'd start with a couple teaspoons of water and increase until the consistency is perfect!
- Natural almond butter - I recommend using natural nut butters whenever possible (the ingredients label should read the nut of whatever butter it is and sometimes salt; no hydrogenated oils!).
- Honey - honey adds a little natural sweetness but also helps to bind the bites together so a dough can form.
- Cocoa powder - this intensifies the rich chocolate flavor! Regular unsweetened cocoa powder is what I typically use.
- Salt - a tiny bit of salt goes a long way! It helps to tie all of the flavors together and balance out the sweetness from the honey and protein powder.
- Peppermint extract - this is where the hint of mint comes from in these chocolate mint protein balls!
- Dark chocolate chips & candy canes - I love melting chocolate and drizzling it over the protein bites, and then sprinkling crushed candy canes on top of that. It makes this recipe perfect for the holiday season!
How to Make Chocolate Mint Bliss Balls
1: Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Using a rubber spatula, mix until a dough forms.
2: Using a Tablespoon, scoop dough and roll into balls. Place on a prepared baking sheet, ~1" apart. Place bites in the fridge for 10-15 minutes, or until the chocolate drizzle is ready.
3: To make the chocolate drizzle, place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 15- or 30-second intervals until smooth and melted. Be sure to stir between heating, as chocolate can burn easily! Drizzle melted chocolate on the mint chocolate bliss balls, and then sprinkle crushed candy canes for a festive touch and more peppermint flavor! Let chocolate harden, either in the fridge or freezer (~5 minutes), and enjoy!
Pro Tips
- You can add an extra drizzle of honey if the texture isn't coming together right, but I try not to add too much to keep the added sugar down!
- Add a sprinkle of sea salt for a sweet and salty combination!
Variations & Substitutions
- You can omit the peppermint extract altogether or use vanilla extract instead if you don't like chocolate and peppermint!
- Peanut butter is a delicious substitute for almond butter if you like chocolate and peanut butter. If you want a more neutral nut butter, cashew butter is a great option instead of almond!
- If you're allergic to nuts, sunflower seed butter is another fantastic option.
- You can make these into protein bar form by pressing the dough into an 8x8" baking dish (lined with parchment paper) and cutting them into bars!
Storing, Making Ahead, & Serving
Storing
- Store these chocolate peppermint protein balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days or at room temperature for 5!
- They freeze really well and can last up to 2 months.
Making Ahead
- If you're making these for a holiday party, you can easily make them the day before or earlier the day of whenever you plan to serve them! Simply store them in the refrigerator and let them get to room temperature before serving.
- These chocolate mint balls are a great meal prep snack and/or sweet treat. I love making a big batch to store in the fridge or freezer for whenever the sweet cravings hit!
Serving
- My favorite way to serve these is at room temperature, with drizzled chocolate and crushed candy canes on top. They're so festive and delicious!
Recipe FAQ
Protein balls can be healthy but also pretty energy dense! The nut butter base is full of unsaturated fats, which are great, but still high in calories. I would recommend portioning out however many you want to eat and putting the rest away instead of mindlessly eating them!
These chocolate mint protein balls are a great balanced snack: they're full of protein, carbs, and fats. I recommend eating these whenever you want a healthy little snack between meals or something sweet mid-afternoon or after dinner!
I would start by adding a splash or two of water or almond milk (maybe 1-2 teaspoons) and slowly increasing until the consistency is just right. You can also add more honey or nut butter, but these will change the nutrition facts!
I would add a Tablespoon of protein powder at a time until the dough forms better!
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PrintChocolate Mint Protein Balls Recipe
Chocolate mint protein balls are one of the best energy bite recipes, especially during the holiday season. Chocolate and mint compliment each other so well and these make a great addition to your holiday cookie tin!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 26 bites 1x
- Category: Snacks, Dessert, Breakfast, Festive
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the bites
- 1 cup (99g) chocolate protein powder
- ⅔ cup + 1 tablespoon (207g total) natural almond butter
- 3 Tablespoons honey
- 1 Tablespoon cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
For the topping (optional)
- ¼ cup (54g) dark chocolate chips, melted
- ¼ cup (41g) crushed candy canes (~3 canes)
Instructions
For the bites
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix all ingredients (except for optional drizzle ingredients) in a large bowl. Don’t be afraid to use your hands!
- Roll dough into 1 Tablespoon balls and place onto baking sheet.
- Dough may be slightly crumbly. Squeeze dough ball in your hands and it should stick together! If not, add a tablespoon of almond butter or honey and remix. Repeat until a solid dough forms.
- Place bites into the fridge while you make the drizzle.
- If you are skipping the drizzle, enjoy!
For the topping (optional)
- Melt chocolate chips in a small microwave-safe dish for 60 seconds. If not fully melted, continue to microwave in 15-second intervals until melted.
- Using a small whisk or fork, drizzle chocolate onto bites.
- Immediately sprinkle with crushed candy cane pieces (the chocolate will start to harden quickly if the bites are cold!).
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Store these chocolate peppermint protein balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days or at room temperature for 5!
- They freeze really well and can last up to 2 months.
- If you're making these for a holiday party, you can easily make them the day before or earlier the day of whenever you plan to serve them! Simply store them in the refrigerator and let them get to room temperature before serving.
- These chocolate mint balls are a great meal prep snack and/or sweet treat. I love making a big batch to store in the fridge or freezer for whenever the sweet cravings hit!
- My favorite way to serve these is at room temperature, with drizzled chocolate and crushed candy canes on top. They're so festive and delicious!
- You can omit the peppermint extract altogether or use vanilla extract instead if you don't like chocolate and peppermint!
- Peanut butter is a delicious substitute for almond butter if you like chocolate and peanut butter. If you want a more neutral nut butter, cashew butter is a great option instead of almond!
- If you're allergic to nuts, sunflower seed butter is another fantastic option.
- You can make these into protein bar form by pressing the dough into an 8x8" baking dish (lined with parchment paper) and cutting them into bars!
- You can add an extra drizzle of honey if the texture isn't coming together right, but I try not to add too much to keep the added sugar down!
- Add a sprinkle of sea salt for a sweet and salty combination!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bite
- Calories: 103
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 57
- Fat: 6
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Unsaturated Fat: 4
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 10
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 6
- Cholesterol: 0
Becca says
Definitely making these again when the holidays come around. They're so easy and addicting.
Lauren says
I could not agree more, Becca. They're great any time of year but especially around the holidays!