Vegan Coconut Coffee Protein Balls

4.80 from 5 votes

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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.

About the Recipe

  • Under 100 calories with 3 grams of protein per bite.
  • Easy to make with just 4 ingredients.
  • Customize with different add-ins and coatings.
  • Vegan, gluten-free, oil-free, no added sugar
  • Enjoy for an energizing pre-workout snack or little boost in energy anytime you need it!

Looking for more ways to use protein powder? You’ll have to try these No-Bake Chocolate Protein Bars, Easy No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls or 5-Ingredient Vegan Protein Brownies next!

Ingredients

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

This list is not complete. Please see the recipe card at the end of the post for the complete ingredient list with measurements and detailed instructions.

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.

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.

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!

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.

More Energy Balls & Bars

Bowl of protein balls rolled in coconut. Bowl sits on a plate.
4.80 from 5 votes

No-Bake Coconut Coffee Protein Balls

By: Deryn Macey
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!
Prep: 20 minutes
Total: 20 minutes
Servings: 18
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Ingredients 

  • 1 cup tightly packed, pitted dates, 250 g
  • 2 scoops vanilla, chocolate or mocha pea protein powder, 60 g
  • 1/2 cup strongly brewed coffee
  • 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, 100 g

Instructions 

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Use your hands to roll the dough into about 18 balls. 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: 1ball, Calories: 86kcal, Carbohydrates: 12.3g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 3.7g, Sodium: 2.3mg, Fiber: 2.2g, Sugar: 10g
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!

Originally published on June 14, 2015.

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12 Comments

  1. 4 stars
    I made these, mine came out really wet, so added more coconut. I used lavzza coffee. Yum. Thank you

  2. Tried these and they are amazing! I also tried with sealing soaking the dates in coffee instead of water then just adding it in while camping! Turned out so good!

  3. 5 stars
    These are my favourite! Theyโ€™ve become a weekly staple for me. I also use unsweetened cocoa powder in there (along with pumpkin protein powder) so it adds a little extra chocolatey flavour โ˜บ๏ธ

  4. 5 stars
    I made these with Mocha-Cappuccino protein powder and Organic Cacao Nibs which gave them a really nice flavor. These are incredibly easy and everyone I work with, even the picky eaters all asked for this recipe!!

  5. 5 stars
    Totally gorgeous, I added 1 scoop choc protein powder and 1 scoop of our cacao and flaxseed mix, and ran out of coconut so added some oats and was still stonking. Yumola..a daily staple in our house for a go to healthy treat nom xx

  6. 5 stars
    Great vegan recipe ! I’ve been looking for something to combine with our vegan omegas for a perfect morning start for my partner who works long days

  7. Hi! Love the sound of these. Any ideas what I could use to replace Vega Performance Protein in Mocha?

    Thanks a lot.

    1. Any protein powder would make a suitable substitution. You may have to adjust the amount of dates and coffee to reach the right consistency though. Thanks ๐Ÿ™‚