My chocolate-covered strawberry protein balls are such a fun and delicious treat! My whole family loves this healthy treat, and it’s especially fun to serve up for Valentine’s Day! The pink center is a fun surprise, and the pop of strawberry is delicious paired with the dark chocolate outside. Gather your 7 ingredients and let’s go make some chocolate strawberry balls!
Chocolate Strawberry Protein Balls with Cashew Butter
Before kids, I never really got excited about celebrating the smaller holidays, like Valentine’s Day, St Patrick’s Day…. or the first day of spring (it’s a celebration!).
The fact that all my kids are in school and are more aware of holidays coming up, makes it more fun to add more celebration to them.
So, we celebrate with food (and crafts)! Because food is my love language. And I also love creating treats that give more goodness, like healthy fats, more protein, and that are low sugar and free of refined sugars.
These pink protein balls are such a cute and delicious Valentine’s Day treat! Pack them in a lunch box for a sweet and special surprise, or make them for any day! You and your family are going to be fans of these balls!
Let’s talk about freeze-dried strawberries
A good friend once introduced me to the intense and delicious strawberry flavor that you get with freeze-dried strawberries. The flavor is super concentrated compared to blending fresh strawberries.
The freeze-dried berries easily blend into a powder that can be added to your protein strawberry energy bites.
It adds a pretty pink color to this healthy dessert, but also a huge strawberry burst of flavor!
Simple ingredients for strawberry protein balls
Scroll down to view the recipe card below for the full ingredients list, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions.
- almond flour
- ground freeze dried strawberries
- sea salt
- coconut oil
- cashew butter
- honey
- vanilla extract
- dark chocolate chips
How to make strawberry protein bites
Step 1: If you are starting with freeze-dried strawberries instead of strawberry powder, add 1 cup of freeze-dried strawberries into a food processor or high-powered blender and blend until you have strawberry powder.
Step 2: Whisk together your dry ingredients.
Step 3: Mix the wet ingredients. Stir into the dry ingredients until fully combined. You’ll have a sticky dough at this point.
Step 4: Using a small cookie scoop, scoop, and roll balls, and then chill in the fridge on parchment paper.
Step 5: Melt the chocolate and coconut oil together in the microwave or a double boiler.
Step 6: Roll the strawberry bliss balls into chocolate and chill in the fridge or freezer until set.
Watch me make healthy cashew strawberry protein balls
The full how to video can be watched below, or on my YouTube channel!
How to store
Once your no-bake treat is ready, you can store a couple of different ways. Add to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 7 days
You can also add it to a freezer bag and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months! Remember to label and date it.
When enjoying from the freezer, remove as many as you’d like and let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before enjoying.
Substitutions, optional variations & dietary adjustments
Below you’ll find a list of substitutions that will work well in this strawberry energy balls recipe.
If you try something different out, please leave a comment below letting us all know how it turned out!
Almond flour – Oat flour is a fantastic substitution for almond flour. Almond meal will work here too, however, the center will not be as smooth
Freeze-dried strawberries – This recipe will work with any freeze-dried fruit! To keep it pink, try freeze-dried raspberries, but also have fun trying different flavors using different powdered fruits.
Honey – Maple syrup is a great alternative and will keep this recipe vegan.
Cashew butter – Use your favorite nut butter here – peanut butter and almond butter are both delicious! To keep it nut-free, use tahini or sunflower seed butter.
More recipe ideas you’ll love
- Heart shaped protein brownies
- Chocolate peanut butter snack balls
- Peanut butter chocolate avocado smoothie
- Naturally sweet chocolate avocado pudding
- Chocolate cherry spinach smoothie
- Chocolate covered dried figs
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Protein Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond flour
- ¼ cup ground freeze dried strawberries (see note)
- ⅛ tsp almond flour
- ¼ cup almond flour melted
- 2 tbsp cashew butter
- ¼ cup honey slightly warmed for easy combining
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 2 oz dark chocolate chips
- 2 tsp coconut oil
Instructions
- In a bowl whisk together the almond flour, freeze dried strawberry powder and sea salt.
- In a small separate bowl stir together the coconut oil, cashew butter, honey and vanilla extract. Stir in to the dry ingredients until fully combined.
- Using your hands roll the dough into balls (about 2 tbsp each). The dough may be delicate, so press it and compact it together as you roll. Chill balls in the fridge while you warm the chocolate.
- To melt your chocolate add the dark chocolate and coconut oil in a microwave safe bowl and warm on high for 30 second increments, stirring after each 30 seconds. Repeat until melted.
- Remove balls from the fridge, roll the ball in the chocolate and place on a parchment paper lined sheet. Once all balls have been rolled in the chocolate, place back in the fridge for 30 minutes, or until the chocolate is fully set.
Notes
Nutrition
If you try this high protein strawberry bliss ball recipe, I’d love it if you left a star rating and comment below letting me know how it turned out!
XO
Heather
Originally published February 2020. Updated February 2024.
4 comments
These look so good! Any tips for an almond flour substitute? My daughter has peanut and almond allergies, so I wondered if another alternative flour might work? Thanks!
Hey Sarah! If she isn’t allergic to other nut flours I would suggest those for similar results! Cashew or hazelnut flour would be delicious (you can grind the nuts and make your own flour).
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