By Made with simple ingredients and ready in 10 minutes, these sugar cookie protein balls have all the flavors of your favorite treat but with 8 grams of protein! Plus, the gooey texture is basically like eating cookie dough, which we all know is the best part of baking. So grab a few to eat for a snack or on the road to your holiday festivities.
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Every year, sugar cookie products start rolling into grocery stores and coffee shops. And every year I'm reminded why I love this flavor so much! But sugar cookies take some time to make, and they don't keep me fueled, so I wanted to create a recipe that's filling and easy but still in the holiday spirit!
These sugar cookie bites are just that! They are somewhere between almond croissant blondies and our wildly popular protein balls without protein powder. They take 10 minutes to whip up (a hand mixer is helpful!), and they are ideal for grabbing on the go between all the holiday events.
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Recipe
sugar cookie protein balls
Ingredients
- ½ cup almond flour
- 1.25 cups oat flour
- ½ cup hemp hearts
- ¾ cup almond butter (use one that's drippy, not dry)
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon orange zest
- 2 tablespoon milk (as needed)
Before you start!
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Instructions
- Mix ½ cup almond flour, 1.25 cups oat flour, ½ cup hemp hearts, ¾ cup almond butter, ¼ cup maple syrup, ¼ teaspoon almond extract, ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon orange zest in a large bowl using a hand mixer to incorporate everything fully.
- Now that the mixture is done, does it seem too dry? Its texture varies based on the almond butter that's used. If it's dry, add milk 1 tablespoon at a time! If it seems too wet, add more oat flour, 2 tbsps at a time. Do this until it's a bit drier than cookie dough.
- Use a cookie scoop (I use a 1.5") to shape these into 14 balls and place them on a plate or baking sheet. Optional to top them with sprinkles, but only do this right before eating because when sprinkles degrade, they release an odd taste into the batter.Let them harden in the freezer, then transfer to an air-tight container to store in the fridge or freezer for up to 2 weeks. If storing in the freezer, let them soften at room temperature for a few minutes before eating.
Notes
Looking for more information?
Additional substitution information can be found above in the substitution section of this post.
Nutrition Disclaimer
Nutritional information is an estimate and for informational purposes only.
Nutrition
the key to the perfect texture!
We're dealing with almond butter here, which can vary widely in texture. So, in order to get a texture that isn't too sticky and holds together, you have to be prepared to play with the ratios. Add your milk or more oat flour super gradually. Think one tablespoon at a time. This little bit of patience is what will take your protein balls from "pretty good" to "absolutely amazing, can't-stop-eating-them good!"
ingredient notes & substitutions
All substitutions are a 1:1 substitute unless otherwise noted. See the recipe card for quantities.
- almond flour: This adds just the right texture, plus fiber and healthy fats. Feel free to swap this with extra oat flour to keep it nut-free.
- oat flour: You can buy this or easily make your own by blending rolled oats until fine. It also adds fiber and protein.
- drippy almond butter: This is key for moisture and binding, plus it adds healthy fats and protein. Make sure it's the drippy kind, not the thick, dry kind at the bottom of the jar.
- maple syrup: It's the holidays, so of course we're using pure maple syrup! For a lower-calorie option, monk fruit maple syrup works well but it has a runnier texture so you'll need more oat flour.
- almond extract: These can vary widely in texture, so look for a drippy one. I like the Target and Whole Foods brands. For nut-free, use granola butter. It's much milder than sunflower butter.
- orange zest: The secret sauce! It brightens the overall flavor profile, making the sugar cookie taste more authentic and less flat. Just a tiny bit is needed.
- hemp seeds: Our protein powerhouse! Sometimes these are called hemp hearts, too, because technically they are shelled hemp seeds.
- milk (as needed): You might not need this! But use to adjust the consistency as needed. Any milk works - dairy or non-dairy.
- salt and vanilla
- optional butter extract and sprinkles: If you want an even richer, more buttery cookie flavor, a tiny dash of this can be added. For the sprinkles, I like to use naturally colored ones or dye-free, but they should only be added when you're ready to eat! More on that below.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
high protein ingredient spotlight: hemp seeds
Just 3 tablespoons pack a whopping 10g of plant-based protein! They have a mild, slightly nutty flavor that doesn't overpower these sugar cookie balls, so you get all the benefits without a "health food" taste. They're also a great source of healthy fats (omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids), fiber, and minerals like magnesium and iron.
I love using them in smoothies, sprinkled on yogurt or oatmeal, and, of course, in no-bake treats like this one or my peanut butter protein cookies (no bake) for an easy protein boost.
here's how to make sugar cookie protein balls
Be sure to scroll to the recipe card for the full protein balls recipe!
- Mix all ingredients (except the milk) in a large bowl.
- Shape them into balls using a cookie scoop. Top with optional sprinkles right before eating.
why not add sprinkles?
This is something I learned the hard way. Sprinkles (all natural, especially) release their color into wet recipes like protein balls. As that seeps into the recipe, it reacts with the other ingredients, creating a very chemical taste (odd, I know).
The longer the protein balls are in the fridge with sprinkles, the worse the taste gets. To avoid this, just hold off adding the sprinkles until right before you want to eat them because they do add a nice crunch!
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