One thing about me — I love a snack that tastes like dessert but is filled with nutrient-dense ingredients. If you have my cookbook, you probably noticed that I have a whole section of energy bites that taste like dessert!
These chocolate protein brownie bites check all of the boxes. They’re incredibly easy to make, are packed with nourishing ingredients that will keep you full and satisfied when the afternoon hunger hits, and they seriously taste JUST like a fudgy brownie.
MAJOR BONUS: You can easily make them nut-free for any allergies or for kiddos taking them to school! Keep a batch in your fridge or freezer and enjoy a nutritious snack or dessert every day.
Brownie bites packed with nutrients
These chocolatey bites are naturally sweetened and packed with protein, healthy fats, fiber, and omega-3s! They’re truly a powerhouse snack that are delicious enough for dessert.
The texture actually reminds me of the cosmic brownies we grew up, but also similar to the chocolate almond GoMacro bars if you’ve ever had those. I’M OBSESSED.
Everything you’ll need to make these protein brownie bites
These fudgy chocolate protein bites are made with super simple ingredients for an easy snack you can always come back to. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Almond butter: I like to use natural creamy almond butter or peanut butter as the base for these bites, which gives them protein and healthy fats. But you can easily make them nut free by using a sunflower seed butter or something like an Oat Haus granola butter.
- Honey: these little bites are naturally sweetened with honey.
- Protein powder: feel free to use any protein powder you’d like! I like collagen peptides because they’re neutral in flavor (and it is the only way I’ve tested these!), but a chocolate protein powder would be delicious if you want to give it a try.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: get that brownie flavor from a little bit of unsweetened cocoa powder. Cacao powder works well too here!
- Flaxseed meal: you’ll also get a boost of fiber and omega-3s from flaxseed meal. It also helps hold the bites together.
- Oat flour: a tablespoon of oat flour also helps keep them together. Make sure to use a gluten-free oat flour to keep them gluten-free!
- Chocolate chips: I love rolling in mini chocolate chips for an extra treat! To keep these dairy-free, be sure to use dairy free chocolate chips.
- Sea salt: if you like a sweet and salty combo, sprinkle the bites with a little flaky sea salt.
Make nut-free protein brownie bites
To make these brownie bites nut-free (and great for snacks or lunchboxes!):
- Simply sub sunflower seed butter, just make sure the only ingredients are seeds and salt! Perfect for kiddos who need a nut-free option for school.
- Another option is to try Oat Haus granola butter (though not as nutritiously dense!)
- Tahini is another go-to, but you may need to add a bit more oat flour to get them the right consistency since tahini tends to be a little more runny.
Can I make them vegan?
These chocolate protein bites should work well with maple syrup instead of honey. Then be sure to use a vegan protein powder and vegan chocolate chips.
Dip or drizzle the bites
Looking for another fun way to jazz these up? Try melting some chocolate and dipping half of each bite in it, or drizzling each bite with chocolate! Just be sure to chill the bites before and after dipping or drizzling so that the chocolate solidifies on them.
Storing & freezing tips
- To store: store these brownie energy bites in an airtight container or a stasher bag in the fridge for up to 1 week.
- To freeze: these little bites are delicious straight from the freezer as well! If they’re too hard, simply let them sit at room temp for 5-10 minutes before eating.
Tools you’ll need to make these bites
Get all of my go-to kitchen tools here!
More no bake snacks you’ll love
- Peanut Butter Protein Cookie Dough Bites
- Salted Caramel Coconut Cashew Energy Bites
- No Bake High Protein Peanut Butter Cereal Bars
- No Bake Superfood Brownies
- Monster Cookie Energy Bites
Get all of my no bake snacks here!
I hope you love these no bake protein brownie bites! If you make them be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked them. Enjoy, xo!
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
Chocolate Protein Brownie Bites
Ingredients
- ½ cup (128 grams) natural creamy almond butter or chocolate almond butter (or sub peanut butter)*
- ¼ cup (80 grams) honey
- ½ cup (about 40 grams) collagen peptides (or protein powder of choice)
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal
- 1 tablespoon oat flour, plus more if necessary
- 2 to 3 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
- Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add all of the ingredients except for the chocolate chips and flaky sea salt. Mix together with a spoon or small rubber spatula until ingredients are well combined and it resembles cookie dough. Note: Sometimes I use my hands to mix them into the batter more easily and really incorporate everything together! If it is too wet, add another tablespoon of oat flour. Fold the chocolate chips in until well incorporated.
- Use a small cookie scoop to grab dough, then roll into balls and place on a plate. Repeat with remaining dough batter, placing 1 inch apart. Sprinkle with flaky salt, if desired then chill the balls in the fridge for 1 hour. Once cold, you can keep them in an airtight container for up to 1 week in the fridge. Alternatively, store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Enjoy whenever you need a sweet treat. Makes approximately 10 brownie bites.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats
Just made these. Patiently waited…..ok impatiently, while they chilled in the fridge and gobbled 2 of them right up! Made with peanut butter and oh so delicious!! Monique you’ve done it again!
So good!! Glad you enjoyed!
Yum- can’t wait to make these! Do you think I could sub coconut or almond flour for the oat flour to make them grain free?
Yes, I think that should work! Let me know if you try it 🙂
I’d also love to know how they turned out! 🙂
I made these today for an easy snack for me and a dessert for my toddler. I subbed sunflower seed butter (to make school friendly) and used maple syrup instead (it’s what I had available). I used the recommended 80g syrup and they were a little on the sweet side, I’d reduce maple syrup amount next time.
That being said, they are DELICIOUS and I’m sure my 3 year old will also adore them. Glad to have a little extra protein in my snacks and treats!
So glad they were a hit! Perfect for school lunches. Yes, feel free to reduce the maple syrup a bit next time if you’d like!
Oh! Looked great, always looking for something nutritious to pack my 5 year old for a school snack that’s nut free and gluten free. Do you think these will be ok at room temp for 5-6 hours or will they get too soft?
They will soften up but should still be delicious!
These were just ok for us. I followed the recipe exactly and they were a miss. The mixture came together easily and the texture is nice but these predominant flavor is almond butter. There isn’t much of a chocolate flavor present and they aren’t very sweet. My kids each took one bite and wouldn’t finish. I have made other energy ball recipes from this website that they have enjoyed, particularly the monster cookie ones, I will stick with those in the future.
I find that surprising to hear as someone else said they were too sweet haha. They have 1/4 cup honey as well as mini chocolate chips, and they were plenty sweet for us! if you want them even sweeter, my suggestion might be to use a chocolate protein powder or chocolate almond butter, that would definitely give it more sweetness if that’s your preference. We love these!
10/10. These were delicious. Used peanut butter and vital proteins collagen. Tasted like a perfect bar bite. Will definitely be making again! Thanks for a great recipe.
Anything I could sub for the collagen powder?
Feel free to use any protein powder you’d like!
Made these according to recipe and they are delicious! Love the smooth texture and they are just the right amount of sweet. The sprinkle of sea salt enhances the sweetness (counterintuitive, I know). These will become a regular!
Love a sweet and salty combo! Glad you enjoyed 🙂
These are so easy to make and taste indulgent!! The collagen protein works amazing and you can’t even tell its there! I used half almond butter and half PB (I ran out of almond) and it doesn’t taste overly peanuty! I am hoping these will freeze and thaw well so I can stock up for postpartum!
Perfect! Yes, these freeze very well (I’m stocking up for postpartum, too 🙂 )
Hi, 128 grams of almond butter is 1/2 cup; 1 cup is 256 grams. Is it 1/2 cup or 1 cup?
Thank you for the catch! It’s 1/2 cup (128g). I’ve just updated the recipe to reflect that.
These energy balls are amazing! They taste like a brownie but they are good for you!!! Thanks Monique!
You’re so welcome, Sadie! Thank you for trying them 🙂
Firstly, so delicious and fulfills that need I have for chocolate and secondly – good for you! Used almond flour instead
Absolutely! Glad you enjoyed!
I can’t stop making these! The whole family loves them. I use Vital Proteins chocolate powder and they taste amazing. I make smaller balls (2tsp) so they’re perfect when the kids (or I!) need a bite of something sweet. You’ll want to double this one!
The perfect snack or treat!
I’ve been making protein balls the past few months as a little pre workout snack and we keep coming back to these. My 4 year old loves them too. I sub CSE brownie protein powder for the collagen….yum! I have to resist grabbing one every time I open the fridge hehe
So happy to hear that!!