Strawberry Cheesecake Protein Balls: Easy Healthy Snack Recipe
These Strawberry Cheesecake Protein Balls are a delicious and healthy no-bake snack, combining the creamy taste of cheesecake with the natural sweetness of freeze-dried strawberries and protein-rich ingredients. Perfect for a quick energy boost or a guilt-free treat, they are easy to make and ideal for on-the-go snacking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12-15 protein balls 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 1/4 cup vanilla protein powder
- 1/2 cup freeze-dried strawberries (crushed into a fine powder)
- Optional: chia seeds or mini white chocolate chips, as desired
Wet Ingredients
- 4 oz softened cream cheese (full-fat or reduced-fat)
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Soften the cream cheese to room temperature and measure out all ingredients. Crush the freeze-dried strawberries into a fine powder using a food processor or by placing them in a zip-top bag and crushing them with a rolling pin for even incorporation.
- Combine Ingredients: In a food processor, blend the rolled oats, almond flour, vanilla protein powder, softened cream cheese, crushed freeze-dried strawberries, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Process until a dough forms that sticks together when pressed but is not overly sticky.
- Adjust Dough Consistency: If the dough is too dry, add water or milk one teaspoon at a time until the mixture comes together. If too sticky, incorporate additional almond flour in small amounts to achieve workable consistency.
- Shape Balls: Use a cookie scoop or spoon to portion the dough and roll between palms to form about 1-inch diameter balls. This size is perfect for a quick, bite-sized snack.
- Chill: Place the protein balls on a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up and set the shape.
- Store Properly: Transfer the chilled balls into an airtight container. Store refrigerated for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months to maintain freshness and texture.
Notes
- For extra texture and nutrition, add chia seeds or mini white chocolate chips into the mixture before shaping the balls.
- Adjust sweetness with honey or maple syrup according to personal preference.
- Use full-fat cream cheese for a richer cheesecake flavor, or reduced-fat for a lighter option.
- These protein balls are best kept refrigerated and can be frozen for longer storage.
- Make sure to use vanilla-flavored protein powder to complement the strawberry and cheesecake flavors.
Keywords: strawberry cheesecake protein balls, healthy snack, no-bake protein balls, easy protein balls, strawberry snacks, cheesecake flavor, protein powder snacks
