Healthy Protein Balls with Dates and Ginger - Beside the Mountain (2024)

9 whole ingredients make these healthy protein balls. Dates and fresh ginger are the key to making these balls stick together and be full of flavor! This snack is high in protein from the almonds, oats, and hemp hearts.

I am all about protein balls, raw balls, bliss bites, energy balls, energy bites, fat bombs - or whatever you want to call yours! These are all the names I've heard for nutrient-dense no bake bites that are a combination of dried fruit (usually dates), nuts, seeds, nut or seed butter. These snack balls are awesome because:

• they are customizable to your favorite flavor and what you have in your kitchen.
• they can be made in large batches and last a long time in the fridge or freezer.
• Protein balls are friendly for any special diet! They are usually dairy free, gluten free, and vegan, (like mine!) and there are many protein balls recipes that are grain free, and nut free too. If you are looking for an energy ball recipe without grains check out my lemon bliss bites.

Ingredients

When I am wondering if a recipe is healthy or not, I look at the ingredients. I want something with whole, simple ingredients that have not been processed - the foods are pretty close to their natural state. This recipe for protein balls with dates and ginger is one of those healthy recipes.

• Almonds are one of the main contributors to protein in this recipe. I use raw unsalted almonds to make these protein balls.
• You can use (old fashion) rolled oats, or quick oats for this recipe. Either way, the oats will be blended down into small granules.
• Hemp hearts also largely contribute to the protein in these bites as ½ cup of these little seeds have 27 grams of protein. Which is great for high energy lifestyle and activities, pregnant and breast feeding women, and those looking to increase protein in their everyday diet.
• Cinnamon increases the flavor in these protein bites and supports in stabilizing blood sugar levels.
• Salt complements the flavor, specifically with the dates. I like to use good quality sea salt as it is a good source of minerals. Here's a link to my favorite sea salt brand.
• Freshly grated ginger is the star ingredient of these protein balls, bringing out the amazing flavor. Ginger is well known as an anti-inflammatory meaning it will decrease inflammation in the body.
• Maple syrup sweetens these balls and brings out a caramel like flavor.
• Coconut oil helps these protein balls stick together well.
• Pitted dates, such as the medjool dates I like to use are big, dark, gooey, and rich in flavor. I find medjool dates in the produce section in plastic containers at my grocery store. Or you can usually find pitted dates in bags in the baking aisle at the grocery store.

See recipe card for quantities of all the ingredients.

Instructions

The photos below will show you how to make these easy protein balls step by step.

1. In a food processor or a high powder blender, blend the almonds and the oats until there are almost no chunks.

2. Add the hemp hearts, cinnamon, and salt, then blend until everything looks like coarse sand.

3. Add the grated ginger, maple syrup, coconut oil, and dates to the blender or food processor and pulse until a dough starts to form. It will become quite thick and hard to blend, when this happens dump this whole ginger date mixture into a medium bowl.

4. Use your hands to knead the dough. There will be crumbs, keep kneading the dough until all the dry ‘coarse sand’ (oats and nuts) is mixed into one dough ball. Using a tablespoon of dough at a time, roll into balls.

Substitutions & Variations

Here are some alternative ways you can make this recipe:

• Take out the cinnamon and ginger and replace with ½ cup of frozen chopped berries (strawberries or raspberries) instead! Add the berries when you would add the ginger. These will need to stay in the freezer until you eat them or they will become very soft.
• Use walnuts or cashews instead of almonds!
• Replace hemp hearts with flax seeds. Or you could use half hemp hearts (¼ cup) and half flax seeds (¼ cup) to make these.
• You can use honey instead of maple syrup.
• As seen in the photos I made a glaze, this was just to make them look pretty. I mixed 2 tablespoon melted coconut oil, with 3 tablespoon sifted powdered sugar then drizzled it over the balls!

Equipment

You will need a food processor or a high power blender for this recipe. This is so the dates break down into small gooey pieces and keep the protein balls stuck together.

Alternatively, you could make this recipe for the best pistachio balls (with dates) which doesn't need a high-power machine.

Storage

Store these healthy protein balls with dates and ginger in an airtight container or bag (like these awesome silicone ones!). They will last in the fridge for 2-3 weeks and up to 3 months in the freezer. I love to have these raw balls in the freezer and have as a quick go-to snack.

These balls can be eaten frozen too! Note: if you don't love how sweet dates taste, being frozen reduces the sweet taste!

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