No-Bake Lemon Protein Balls Recipe

Soft, citrusy and so delicious- that’s what these lemon protein balls are all about. Go give them a try now! 

Protein balls are a great way to get some of that nutrition and energy kick that you need to keep yourself going during the day. They can be an excellent healthy snack to pop into your mouth when you have that mid-day hunger pang kick in. 

These lemon protein balls in specific, are packed with all the goodness, but also have that citrusy kick of lemon.  

Best of all, they take just minutes to make and are no-bake! Ready to go ahead and give them a try? Read on...

Ingredients For the Protein Balls

Here’s everything you will need to make these protein balls. 

• 1 cup Medjool dates
• 1 cup brazil nuts
• 1 tablespoon vegan vanilla protein powder
• 1 tablespoon maca powder
• 1tbsp cashew butter
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest
• Water as needed

How to Make the Lemon Protein Balls

Ready with all the ingredients? Here’s how to make the protein balls. 

Put the dates and the brazil nuts in a food processor until you get crumbs. 

Add the rest of the ingredients except the water. 

Mix in the processor until you get a dough. If the dough is not creating it means the ingredients are too dry so start adding water spoon by spoon until you are happy with the dough. 

Create balls out of the dough. 

Add some lemon zest on the top of the balls. 

You can leave them in the fridge for a few minutes before you serve them.

What Else Can I Add?

These versatile protein balls offer you the chance to add a lot of different healthy ingredients into the mix. Here are some good options you could consider. 

• Poppy seeds: Poppy seeds add that nice little crunch factor to the lemon protein balls and are loaded with thiamin, folate, and lots more. 
• Chia seeds: Rich in fiber and omega 3 fatty acids, chia seeds can be a powerful addition to these, and practically any other energy balls you’re trying out. 
• Flaxseed powder: Flaxseed powder is another great addition to your no-bake energy balls. They are rich in fiber, low in carbs, and promote digestive health, among many other benefits. 
• Dried berries: Dried blueberries, blackberries, and cranberries taste great when added to the protein balls. They have a natural sweetness and slightly tart taste, which goes well along with the lemon and the other ingredients. Plus, they are chock full of antioxidants and other essential nutrients. 
• Chocolate chips: If nothing else works for you, this is one thing you just can’t go wrong with. Opt for semisweet or unsweetened mini chocolate chips to keep things healthy. 

Is Maca Powder Necessary?

Maca powder is popularly promoted as a health supplement, especially for bodybuilders and athletes. It is thought to help boost energy levels, maintain stamina and improve exercise performance, among the other benefits that it offers. 

Adding it to these protein balls can be great, but if you don’t have it, you could skip adding it too. 

What Can I Use Instead of Cashew Butter?

Almond butter and peanut butter are two easy, no-fail options to pick from if you don’t have cashew butter, or just have a different taste preference. Both of them have pretty much the same texture and a similar, versatile flavor base that works well with almost all other additions into your protein balls. 

You could also opt for any seed butter if you’re not too keen on using nut butter. 

What Can I Use Instead of Medjool Dates?

Medjool dates are the most versatile and healthy base ingredient that you could use for your protein balls and energy bites. They are rich in phytonutrients, selenium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and a lot of other macronutrients that help reduce inflammation and boost the immune system.  

However, if you don’t have Medjool dates or are just looking for an alternative, you could use any other soft dates, dried prunes, or dried apricots. Depending on how dry your alternative is, you might need to add some water to soften the mixture and make it more pliable. 

How Do I Store the Lemon Protein Balls?

The best part about these protein balls is that you can batch make them and store them for later. Transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate if you plan to have them within a week. If you want to store them for longer, let them freeze individually, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container and pop it right in. 

Tips & Tricks to Nail the Recipe

The recipe might be straightforward and simple, but you wouldn’t want to say no to some cool tips and tricks. 

• To lend the protein balls a bit of crunch and some extra healthy goodness, you can roll them in some chia seeds, ground flaxseeds, or coconut flakes, and then refrigerate them. 
• While Medjool dates are already enough to lend your protein balls the sweetness that you are looking for, you can also add some honey or maple syrup in addition to the dates. 
• To bring out the existing flavor and balance out the sweetness of the lemon protein balls, add a pinch or two of sea salt into the mix. 
• Different kinds of protein powders have different abilities to absorb moisture. If your mixture seems too soft, you can add some more protein powder or some almond or coconut flour. 
• In contrast, if the mixture feels too dry, you can make it softer by adding in your nut butter or some water. 
• You could also spread the mixture into a baking tray, flatten it out and refrigerate it and then, cut it into bite-sized cubes. This can be a great idea if you’re not too keen on rolling out the mixture into balls. 

Loved how easy it was to make these protein balls? You might also want to check out these delicious vegan energy balls. And if you’re in the mood to indulge, these no-bake vegan coconut lemon truffles might do the trick.