Dessert · From Adam's kitchen
Brownie Batter Balls
No-bake brownie bites made from dates, walnuts, and protein powder, rolled in a salty coconut-cacao coating. They taste like brownie batter and keep in the fridge for grab-and-go snacks.
- Makes
- About 24 balls
- Skill
- Easy
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- None
- Total
- 75 min
Method
Heads up
Read the whole recipe once first. Hard, dry dates? Soak them in hot water for 10 minutes, then drain well.
Chop the walnuts (1 min)
Pulse the walnuts in the food processor until roughly chopped.
Add the dates (2 min)
Add the dates, water, vanilla, and honey. Blend until it forms a smooth, sticky paste.
Ready whenIt clumps together into a ball and you do not see any whole dates.
Add the dry ingredients (1 min)
Add the protein powder, cocoa powder, and chia seeds. Blend until evenly combined.
Press and chill (1 hr)
Sprinkle half the almonds over the bottom of the lined pan. Press the date mixture in evenly and sprinkle the rest of the almonds on top. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.
WhyChilling firms up the dough so it is easy to roll and not sticky.
Make the coating (2 min)
Pulse the coconut, cacao, salt, and almonds in the food processor into a fine powder. Pour it into a shallow bowl.
Roll (10 min)
Pull off golf ball-size pieces, roll them between your palms, and roll each one in the coating.
Ready whenEach ball is evenly coated and holds its shape.
Make it cheffy
Toast the nuts
How
Before you start, toast the walnuts and almonds on a baking sheet at 350°F for 7-9 minutes. Let them cool completely before blending.
Why
Toasting deepens the chocolatey, roasted flavor. You will know they are ready when they smell nutty and look a shade darker.
Swaps
- Walnuts → pecans or cashews.
- Honey → maple syrup.
- Mixture too dry to hold together? Add water 1 tsp at a time.
- Too sticky to roll? Chill 15 minutes more, or wet your hands slightly.
Make ahead & storage
Make ahead
Make the whole batch up to a week ahead.
Storage
Fridge in an airtight container up to 1 week. Freezer up to 3 months; eat straight from the freezer or thaw for 10 minutes.
Macros per serving
Estimate- Calories
- about 150
- Protein
- about 5 g
- Carbs
- about 19 g
- Fat
- about 8 g
Per ball, based on about 24 balls (the whole batch is about 3,610 calories, 112 g protein, 448 g carbs, 189 g fat) and 2 scoops of whey or plant protein at about 30 g each. Protein powders vary, so check your label.