Last Updated on 9 June 2024 by Brisbane Livewell Clinic
Today we will share an easy to make and extremely nutritious chocolate protein ball recipe. These chocolate protein balls hardly take 15 to 20 minutes to create and are a scrumptious option to add more protein and iron to your plant-based diet.
We have used dark chocolate chips in the recipe. Dark chocolate is an excellent source of iron and antioxidants including polyphenols, flavonols, and catechins. Dark chocolate can improve blood flow and reduces blood pressure level. It reduces many risk factors of a heart attack. It improves insulin sensitivity, increases HDL, and protects LDL from oxidation.
Another protein-packed ingredient in the recipe is peanut butter. It is also a great source of vitamin E, vitamin B6, copper, manganese, magnesium, and niacin B3. It reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases by promoting proper blood vessel function. It can assist in diabetes prevention, increases HDL & decreases LDL, repairs cell damage, and slows down the aging process.
Then we have cashew nuts and shredded coconut in the recipe. Cashew nuts are low in calories and very high in protein, good fat, and fibre. They also provide vitamins and minerals including copper, manganese, and magnesium. They contain different antioxidants that help slow down our aging process and prevent inflammatory diseases. They also boost weight loss, improve heart health, prevent type-2 diabetes, and control sugar cravings. Coconut contains a high amount of fibre, protein, iron, manganese, magnesium, and copper. Although coconut is high in fat, the fat contains MCTs which are metabolized differently through our body. Our body can instantly use MCTs for energy. Coconut has low carb and high fibre, good fat, and anti-oxidants, which makes it a great option to control blood sugar.
The recipe also has apricot, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds as plant-based sources of protein, iron, and other valuable nutrients. Let’s look at the detailed recipe.
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Chocolate Protein Ball
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup dried apricots
- 1 cup shredded coconut
- 1/4 cup roasted cashew nuts
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 pinch of sea salt
- Soak the dried apricots in warm water for 10 minutes. Drain the water after they become soft.
- Add softened apricots into a food processor. Add cashew nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and dark chocolate chips. Pulse until the nuts are broken into small pieces.
- Now add peanut butter, maple syrup, and sea salt. Combine nicely.
- Take about one tablespoon of the mixture and shape it into a smooth ball. You can make 16 to 20 chocolate protein balls from this mixture.
- Enjoy.
