Chocolate Hazelnut Protein Balls (GF, Low-Calorie, Vegan)

These chocolate hazelnut protein balls require just a few ingredients and a few minutes to set you up for a week of snacks and breakfast! They’re like a healthy Ferrero Rocher! Plus, they’re super fun to make. Let’s play a game of “Hide the Hazelnut!” 

Are the exclamation points extraneous yet? Yep. Thought so.

Substitutions and Specifications (S&S)

Soy Protein- Hemp or Pea Protein, but add the “milk” in increments so the batter is not too wet

Sweeteners- Lakanto Monk Fruit or Let’s Do Organic cane sugar

Plant Milk- I prefer unsweetened almond milk because it’s low in fat/calories but high in calcium:) Any vegan milk will work. Even water, though my brain won’t let me do that because it makes things too simple.

Chocolate Hazelnut Butter Brands- Suntella (my favorite,) Justin’s, Choczero, Luv, Good&Gather, Fin &Raw, Nutilight

Dark Chocolate (for melting)- Lily’s, XOXO, Baker’s Unsweetened Bar, 365 No-Sugar-Added Chocolate Chips

Chocolate Hazelnut Protein Balls (Low Fat Version)

Makes 10 big balls

• 2 tablespoons (15g) coconut flour
• 1/4 cup (20g) soy protein powder, any flavor
• 2 tablespoons (10g) cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon (5g) black cocoa powder, such as Hershey’s Special Dark
• 1/3 cup (80mL) plant-based milk
• Low-volume sweetener such as powdered or liquid stevia
• 2 tablespoons (24g) monk fruit or organic cane sugar
• 1 tablespoon (15g) Suntella or other low-sugar Nutella alternative
• 10 hazelnuts

1. With a fork, stir together the coconut flour, soy protein, cocoa powders, and granulated sweetener.
2. Once it looks and smells like hot chocolate mix, pour in the milk and optional stevia. “Cut” in the chocolate hazelnut spread like butter in biscuits.
3. The mixture will look too thin at first, but give it about 30 seconds to absorb the liquid. Now, pinch off about 1 tablespoon of cocoa dough. Roll it around in your hands, shove a hazelnut into the center, and cover that baby up with another sliver of dough.
4. Refrigerate the finished truffles for 30 minutes or freeze for 5 minutes.

INFO DE NUTRITION (per ball): 32 calories | 2.5g protein | 1.2g fiber | 1.5g fat

INFO DE NUTRITION (per whole recipe): 320 calories | 25g protein | 12g fiber | 15g fat

I suppose a serving of 3-4 balls is more reasonable. Trust me, you will not be able to stop at 1. Just like a box of chocolates.

Is this picture familiar? You lift the lid, confident that a single sphere of richness, sweetness, and nostalgia will satisfy all cravings and squelch all lack of self-control. Two minutes later, you open your eyes. Your fingers are smudged and the tray is empty. 

Maybe you need to gain weight. Or perhaps you struggle to consume healthy fats. I aim for lower-fat recipes, but if you want a more authentic, richer version of the above recipe, shoot for these balls. And yes, they are keto. 

Higher Fat Variation

Still makes 10

• 1/4 cup (28g) hazelnut meal or almond flour
• 1/3 cup (30g) hemp protein powder
• 1/4 cup (20g) cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons (30g) Suntella or other low-sugar “Nutella”-like spread
• 2-3 tablespoons (30g) plant-based milk
• Monk fruit or erythritol, to taste
• 20 hazelnuts, divided
• 1 oz (28g) dark chocolate, 80% cacao or higher

1. Combine the hazelnut meal, hemp protein, cocoa powder, and monk fruit. Add the plant-based milk. Cut in Nutella alternative. You may need to add a dash more leche. That’s fine!
2. Crush 10 of the hazelnuts! This can be fun if you put them in a little bag and bang ’em with a rolling pin. Set aside.
3. Stuff the chocolate balls with a hazelnut.
4. Melt the dark chocolate. Now, you have a grave choice: To Dip Or To Drizzle. Whatever you choose, pick a way to get the chocolate on the protein truffles.
5. Then, sprinkle the crushed hazelnuts on top of the wet chocolate. In colder months, you need to work quickly so the chocolate doesn’t harden before you can get the nutty goodness on there.
6. Give them a break in the fridge for about 20 minutes.

INFO DE NUTRITION per ball: 80 calories | 3g protein | 2.1g fiber | 5g fat

You can serve these to anyone, health (hazel) nut or not!

Best Dishes,

The Hippie Happy Foodist™