These no-bake, vegan coconut coffee protein balls are easy to make with just 4 basic ingredients and make the perfect sweet and satisfying snack.

Bowl of protein balls rolled in coconut. Bowl sits on a plate, dish cloth in background.

Features

  • nutrition: under 100 calories with 3 grams of protein per bite
  • dietary features: vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, no added sugar
  • pre-workout: enjoy for an energizing pre-workout snack or little boost in energy anytime you need it.

Ingredient Notes

Dates, coffee, coconut and protein powder in bowls. Each ingredient is labelled with text overlay.
  • dates – since we’ll be soaking the dates first, any variety will work…if you do use a nice, soft date like medjool, you can skip the soaking
  • coconut – use unsweetened fine or medium shredded coconut (may be labelled desiccated coconut)
  • coffeeany kind works but the stronger the better for the most flavour (be sure to use decaf if needed though!), espresso works too if you really want to go wild
  • protein – use a pea protein such as Vega or Nuzest (may be pea protein-based but may have other proteins such as hemp or brown rice mixed in), pea protein absorbs moisture well and adds a dough-like texture to the balls

Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located in the recipe card below.

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1. Place the pitted dates in a bowl and cover with hot water. Soak for 15 minutes then drain well.

Quick Note: If your dates are soft and moist you can skip soaking and just blend everything up. I added the soaking step just to be on the safe side. It won’t hurt either way.

Dates soaking in water in a bowl.

Step 2. Add the drained dates and the rest of the ingredients to a food processor and blend into a thick dough you can easily press between your fingers.

Quick Tip: It’s ok if the dates are wet when you add them to the but make sure you drain off any excess water before adding. I like to press them into the bowl I soaked them in to squeeze out the excess water, then drain it off.

Thick dough blended up in a food processor container.

Step 3. Use your hands to roll the dough into balls.

Two hands rolling dough into energy balls.

Roll the balls in coconut, cinnamon, cinnamon sugar or cocoa powder for extra treat!

Hand rolling and energy ball in coconut on a small plate.
Overhead view of a plate of energy balls rolled in coconut.

Notes

  • Dates: If your dates are soft and moist, you can skip soaking. Otherwise, take the extra step to ensure they’ll be moist enough for the recipe. It doesn’t hurt either way.
  • Coffee: Be sure to use decaf if you’re sensitive to caffeine or want to enjoy these in the evening.
Stack of energy balls on a plate, one on top has bite taken out of it.

Storing

  • Fridge: Up to 2 weeks in a sealed container.
  • Freezer: Up to 3 months in a sealed container.
  • Room Temperature: Best if kept cold but if taking to-go, they’re ok at room temperature for a day or two. Keep cool if possible.

Did you try this recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Scroll down to the comment section to leave a star rating and review.
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Print
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Bowl of protein balls rolled in coconut. Bowl sits on a plate.

Vegan Coconut Coffee Protein Balls

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 6 reviews
  • Author: Deryn Macey
  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 18
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Food Processor
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan
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Description

These no-bake, vegan protein balls are easy to make in minutes with just 4 ingredients! The combination of coffee and coconut is amazing and with the hints of caramel from fresh, soft dates, these little snack balls are quite addictive!


Ingredients

  • 1 cup (250 g) tightly packed, pitted dates
  • 2 scoops (60 g) vanilla, chocolate or mocha pea protein powder (such as Vega Performance Protein)
  • 1/2 cup strongly brewed coffee
  • 1 cup (100 gunsweetened shredded coconut

Instructions

  1. If dates are nice and soft, you can skip soaking. Otherwise, place pitted dates in a bowl, cover with hot water and let soak for 15 minutes. Drain well then proceed with the recipe. It’s ok if the dates are wet when you add them to the but make sure you drain off any excess water before adding. I like to press them into the bowl I soaked them in to squeeze out the excess water, then drain it off.
  2. Add the drained dates and the rest of the ingredients to a food processor and mix into a thick dough you can press together between your fingers.
  3. Use your hands to roll the dough into about 18 balls.
  4. Option to roll the balls in coconut, cinnamon, cinnamon sugar or cocoa powder.

Notes

Storing: Sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freezer for up to 3 months. If taking to-go, they’re ok at room temperature for 1-2 days but keep cool for best results (they’ll be fine but will just get soft otherwise).

Coffee: Be sure to use decaf coffee if you’re sensitive to caffeine or plan to enjoy these in the evening.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 ball
  • Calories: 86
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 2.3 mg
  • Fat: 3.7 g
  • Carbohydrates: 12.3 g
  • Fiber: 2.2 g
  • Protein: 3 g

Originally published on June 14, 2015. Updated with new photos and text on October 14, 2020.