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Easy Chewy Snickerdoodle Protein Balls Recipe Perfect Peanut-Free Snack

snickerdoodle protein balls - featured image

These chewy, cinnamon-sugar coated protein balls capture the classic snickerdoodle flavor without baking, making a quick, allergy-friendly, and wholesome snack perfect for busy days.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (90 g) rolled oats (gluten-free if needed)
  • 1/2 cup (45 g) vanilla protein powder (plant-based recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup (60 g) dairy-free cream cheese (or regular cream cheese)
  • 1/4 cup (80 ml) maple syrup or honey
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup (60 g) sunflower seed butter or pumpkin seed butter (or tahini)
  • 1/4 cup (40 g) mini chocolate chips (optional, dairy-free if needed)
  • Cinnamon-sugar mix for coating: 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon + 2 tablespoons coconut sugar or organic cane sugar

Instructions

  1. Measure and combine dry ingredients: rolled oats, vanilla protein powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg (optional), and salt in a mixing bowl. Stir until evenly mixed. (Approx. 3 minutes)
  2. Add wet ingredients: dairy-free cream cheese, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and sunflower seed butter to the dry mix. Fold together until a sticky dough forms. If too crumbly, add a teaspoon of water or more maple syrup one at a time. (Approx. 5 minutes)
  3. Optional: Gently fold in mini chocolate chips. (1 minute)
  4. Form the balls: Scoop about 1.5 tablespoons (20 g) of dough and roll between palms to form smooth balls. Yield about 12-14 balls. Wet hands or dust with cinnamon-sugar mix if sticky. (Approx. 10 minutes)
  5. Prepare cinnamon-sugar coating: Combine ground cinnamon and coconut sugar or cane sugar in a shallow dish. Roll each ball in the mixture until fully coated. (Approx. 5 minutes)
  6. Chill: Place coated balls on parchment-lined baking sheet or plate and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up and meld flavors. (30 minutes)
  7. Enjoy: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week or freeze for longer storage.

Notes

Do not overmix the dough to avoid dense texture. Roll balls immediately in cinnamon-sugar to keep coating sticky. Chill thoroughly for best flavor and firmness. If too soft after chilling, refrigerate longer or add more oats next time. Fresh spices improve aroma and taste. For allergy variations, swap nut butters cautiously.

Nutrition

Keywords: snickerdoodle protein balls, peanut-free snack, chewy protein balls, cinnamon sugar snack, dairy-free protein balls, healthy snack, no bake protein balls