Baked Chocolate Protein Balls with a Surprise!

Soft Baked Chocolate Protein Balls with a crunchy Kitkat center! These baked energy bites use protein powder and Greek yogurt for a healthy and low calorie snack.

I was going for something else with this recipe, but ended up with these baked protein bites that were just so good. And that filling - just a game changer.

A very good call and very surprise there by adding the kitkat pieces in.

Soft baked protein bites with a crunchy center!

Ingredients For Baked Chocolate Protein Balls

These baked chocolate protein balls use really simple and healthy ingredients and take only 15 minutes to make too!

Here's what you need:

• Whole Wheat Pastry Flour
• Chocolate Protein Powder needed for high protein donut holes and also replaces the 'sugar'. I used the Chocolate Milkshake protein powder from Quest Nutrition for this recipe (it's a whey-caesin blend and bakes really well).
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, or Raw Cacao Powder (HAYLSKITCHEN.15OFF to save on Kiva Cacao)
• Non-Fat Greek Yogurt for extra protein
• Baking Powder

For the filling

• KitKat Candy Bars!
• Wafer cookies
• Candy
• Chocolate Chips
• Chocolate Bar
• Crackers

Can you Bake Protein Balls?

Most recipes out there are for no bake protein bites, but these chocolate protein balls are oven baked and turn out just great!

Tips for Perfect Oven Baked Protein Balls

This really is an easy one, but here's some pointers for the perfect oven baked protein balls recipe:

• Use cold yogurt so that the dough does not get too sticky and hard to roll.

• Don't use the watery part of yogurt - again to prevent sticky dough.

• Don't over-process the dough or it will get too warm and soft. Also, the protein powder can make the chocolate donut holes tough.

• Don't let dough sit out for too long; Work quickly; You don't want the dough to get warm and hard to roll.

• Slightly wet palms to roll the dough into balls so it doesn't stick to your palms.

How to store Homemade Baked Energy Balls

These homemade baked energy balls keep really well at room temperature, in the fridge or freezer.

Baked chocolate energy balls keep on the countertop in an airtight container for 2 days.

Store the oven baked chocolate protein bites for up to 5 days in the fridge in an airtight container.

For a freezer friendly option, freeze the baked chocolate energy balls on a baking sheet and then transfer to freezer safe zipper bag. It should keep up to 2 months.

When it's time to eat, thaw to room temperature and warm them in the microwave for extra goodness.

Alternatives for Healthy Chocolate Protein Balls Recipe

• Whole Wheat Pastry Flour: All purpose flour or 1:1 Gluten Free Baking Flour, with the same amount by weight, not cups.
• Chocolate Protein Powder: Use Vanilla
• Greek Yogurt: Coconut yogurt

For a Vegan Option

The original baked protein bites recipe here has no eggs and no milk, so these chocolate protein powder energy balls can be easily turned Vegan.

Replace the Greek Yogurt with Coconut Yogurt, and use a plant based protein powder in this case as well. ProteinWorld has a Vegan protein blend that might work well here (HAYLSKITCHEN for a discount).

I haven't tried this option yet, so let me know how it goes if you do!

More Low Calorie Chocolate Protein Balls to try:

• Hot Chocolate Protein Balls - No Bake, Gluten Free
• Dark Chocolate Tahini Protein Balls
• Molten Lava Brownie Protein Balls you will Love!
• Perfect Post-Workout Chocolate Protein Balls (Sugar & Fat Free)
• Chocolate Covered Almond Protein Balls