Almond Butter Balls

These almond butter balls are studded with chocolate chips and made with lots of healthy ingredients. Made with only 5 ingredients, these little healthy pick-me-up snacks are ready in minutes.

A plate holds several almond butter balls, all of them with chocolate chips. There are almonds in the background and a bowl of almond flour.

I love cookies, which is why I continue to make these vegan chocolate chip cookies. They’re just a fun and tasty treat in the middle of the day. I even love the dough which is why this edible peanut butter cookie dough comes in so handy. But sometimes you want something simple and healthy, which is why things like banana protein balls and these almond butter balls are perfect!

What Makes This Recipe Shine?

  • Combining almond butter and almond butter creates the perfect texture and flavor
  • Adding ground flax seeds contributes nutrition (they’re loaded with omega-3s) and also keeps that texture in check
  • Chocolate chips add pops of color and flavor throughout every bite

Key Ingredients

You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe, including substitution ideas:

  • Almond butter — You can use either almond butter or a nut butter that is made with a mixture of almond butter and other nut butters. Kirkland Mixed Nut Butter is a favorite and is part of my regular buying vegan at Costco shopping trips.
  • Almond flour — You can use either almond flour (which uses balanced almonds) or almond meal (made from almonds with the skins).
  • Ground flax seeds
  • Agave nectar — I use agave nectar, but you can substitute maple syrup. Or if you prefer a zero-calorie sweetener, use monkfruit syrup. Or for zero added sugar and a more plant-based approach substitute dates. You’ll need anywhere from 5 to 10 Medjool dates for this recipe.
  • Chocolate chips — Use my dairy-free chocolate chips guide to pick the best vegan chocolate chips for you.
A jar of almond butter has a spoon it. There is a bowl of almonds beside it along with a few almonds on the table.

What Almond Butter is Best?

Almond butter is made by grinding up almonds, forming a paste otherwise known as nut butter. You can select from roasted or raw almond butter. You can even find almond butter that is combined with other nut butters, like cashew butter. I prefer to use unsweetened almond butter, but just about any almond butter will work for these energy treats.

How to Make Almond Butter Balls

  1. Process the ingredients in a food processor.
  2. Add chocolate chips.
  3. Roll the dough into balls.

Here are more detailed instructions with step-by-step photos:

Step One: Process the Dough

Combine all ingredients except the chocolate chips in a food processor. Pulse for a few seconds until the ingredients are combined. Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

If you’re using Medjooj dates, assess their texture. If they’re dry and firm, you should heat them in the microwave for a few seconds to soften them before processing.

Ingredients are in the bottom of a food processor including almond butter, ground flax seed, almond flour and more.

Step Two: Add Chocolate Chips

This step is purely optional, but I like adding chocolate chips for the bit of color, texture, and flavor they offer. You can use the food processor to break them down into small pieces in the dough, or stir them into the dough for large pieces of chocolate chips.

Step Three: Roll the Dough

Use a cookie dough dispenser to measure out rounded spoonfuls of the batter. Roll these up in balls.

If the dough is too dry and won’t roll, add a little more almond butter (around a tablespoon) and/or another tablespoon of agave. If they are too moist and sticky, add a little more almond flour (around a tablespoon or two), until you achieve the desired consistency. 

Almond Butter Protein Balls

These tasty treats already come with 5g of protein, but you can boost that by adding vanilla protein powder to the dough. Even just 1/3 cup of plant-based protein powder will add up to 10 grams of protein to the batch.

Frequently-Asked Questions

Is almond butter a healthy snack?

Almond butter is a great healthy, plant-based snack. It’s loaded with protein, vitamins, and minerals. You can use almond butter as a spread or serve it with your favorite fruits.

Are protein balls good for you?

Like any snack, protein balls when eaten in moderation are a great way to stay healthy while indulging your cravings for occasional sweets.

Serving Suggestions

Here are ways to serve these almond butter balls:

  • After School Snack — These treats are quick to make and fun to share with friends coming by after school!
  • Breakfast — these treats are so healthy and filling, they’re perfect for breakfast.
  • Pre or Post Workout — Get your workout going right with these healthy treats.
  • Dessert — Satisfy your after-dinner sweet tooth with an energy ball.

Storage Tips

Store energy balls in an airtight container. They will keep at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the fridge for up to 10 days. They can be frozen in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 2 months.

A hand holds an almond butter ball, hovering over a stack of two. There are more balls, raw almonds, and chocolate chips around it.

More Healthy Sweets

If you love these tasty almond balls, you should make these chocolate-dipped cashew butter balls. Maybe that will inspire you to try even more healthy sweets. Here are some favorites to try:

For more almond butter snacks, you’ll definitely want to try this almond butter cake. It’s delicious!

A stack of three almond butter balls are studded with chocolate chips. There are more balls in the background, along with almonds, chocolate chips, and a bowl of almond flour.

Almond Butter Balls

These delicious almond butter balls make a pretty tasty snack any day of the week. They're made with only a few ingredients and so you won't waste much time in the kitchen. Make these vegan, gluten-free protein-packed treats today!
4.75 from 4 votes
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 12
Calories: 175kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients except the chocolate chips in a food processor. Pulse for a few seconds until ingredients are combined. Stir in chocolate chips if using.
  • Use a cookie dough dispenser to measure out rounded spoonfuls of the batter. Roll these up in a ball. See notes for troubleshooting.
  • Store in an airtight container. They will last up to a week in the fridge or up to 3 months in the freezer.

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Notes

If the dough is too dry and won’t roll, add a little more almond butter (around a tablespoon) and/or another tablespoon of agave. That should fix it, but feel free to add a smidge more if you need to. If they are too moist and sticky, add a little more almond (around a tablespoon or two), until you achieve a desired consistency. 
Calories: 175kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 5mg | Potassium: 146mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 1mg

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.

One Response to Almond Butter Balls

  1. Avatar thumbnail image for MarlyOrsdia Reply

    Yummy! Thanks for the recipe.

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