5-Ingredient Chocolate Avocado Protein Balls (Easy, No-Bake)

Can’t get enough of chocolate? Neither can I…!!! Today’s recipe is for all the chocolate lovers out there who are not afraid to challenge their dessert boundaries. No one will ever guess that these yummy, soft, and delicious Avocado Chocolate Protein balls are made with avocado. This healthy recipe that’s made with protein powder, mashed avocado, and chocolate hazelnut spread along with other healthy ingredients is something that keeps my health and craving for chocolates in perfect harmony.

The rich chocolate-filled Avocado protein balls are good to go as a post-workout snack, something to keep you busy with your midnight cravings, and the perfect friend to accompany you after your tiresome day at the office.

***UPDATE 6/5/22: new photos!

Ingredients used to make these Chocolate Avocado Protein Balls

_{**I've linked some of these ingredients to amazon.com to give you an idea of what they are, but you should also be able to find them in your local grocery store (usually, the natural & organic food section). They are also affiliate links, which means that I earn a commission as an Amazon Associate if you decide to purchase the items. The price will be the same for you, link or no link 🙂}

• Protein Powder - You can use any protein powder for this, but I found that whey protein tends to produce gummier results. I used a vanilla plant-based protein powder, like this one below.

• Coconut Flour - Packed with fiber and nutrients, you can’t forget about this gluten-free, wheat free and grain-free ingredient. Coconut flour is great for those allergic to gluten and wanting a low-carb option. While it’s called coco-nut it’s actually nut-free because this flour is made from coconut flesh (which is a fruit, not a nut) that’s been dried and then grind into small flour particles. Coconut flour feels and looks similar to grain flour, and also it has a very mild taste. Here is a brand of coconut flour I like to use.
• Chocolate Hazelnut Spread -  I used this lower sugar vegan brand (the dark chocolate kind), but you can just use Nutella.
• Avocado - For this recipe, I would strongly recommend that you use a ripened (soft) avocado. If you use an avocado that isn't soft, you probably won’t get the velvety texture you see in the photos. Avocados ripen well on their own if left out on the counter at room temperature for a few days, but if you’re in a hurry you can place the avocado in a paper bag with an apple, banana, or kiwi since they produce ethylene gas that softens hard fruits. This quickens the ripening process, though it’s just by a day or two. If you need this recipe now (and trust me, I can relate!) you can also use store-bought frozen avocados that’s been thawed to room temperature. It won’t be as good as a ripe mashed avocado, but it beats having big chunks of unripened avocado showing up in these yummy desserts.

How to Make

Recipe Variations and Optional Add Ins:

• Instead of the chocolate hazelnut spread, you can use almond butter, cashew butter, seed butter or peanut butter.
• Feel free to experiment with natural flavoring / extracts. Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract (I didn't feel like it was essential so I left it out in this recipe), or other flavorings or extracts, such as coffee extract
• Add a teaspoon of instant coffee granules

How to Make this Healthier

• Make this even healthier by adding a handful of nuts, seeds and old-fashioned oats to add texture and nutrition. Even better, add a tablespoon of ground flaxseed, hemp seeds, or chia seeds.

How to Store

• Store these protein balls covered in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
• They can also be frozen, up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge when ready to eat.

Final Tips

• Coconut flour and protein powders are all very different depending on brands, so if you find that the dough is too soft, add more coconut flour; if the dough is too thick, add a teaspoon or more of water, honey or liquid sweetener of choice.

All my Protein Ball Recipes Found (HERE)