Name: Lemon Protein Balls
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 cup raw cashews; ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut; 7 medjool dates (pitted and soaked for 10 minutes in hot water); 2 tbsp vegan vanilla protein powder; juice from ½ lemon; ½ tsp lemon zest ((from about ½ lemon))

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These Lemon Protein Balls might be my new favorite healthy, high-protein snack or dessert! They only require five simple ingredients and are sweetened naturally with dates. Not to mention, they taste like a bite of Spring!

The only thing that could make this recipe better is doubling it. Seriously, these Lemon Protein Balls are addicting. I love that they are filled with healthy fats from the cashews and coconuts, naturally sweetened with dates and have an extra punch of protein. Plus, they are no-bake and so easy to make.

What You Need to Make Lemon Protein Balls

Cashews: Raw, unsalted cashews are what we’re using in this recipe. I have not tried substitutions yet, but I’m guessing that almonds would work as well.
Medjool Dates: Dates are what will provide these lemon protein balls some sweetness! If your dates are old and hard, soak them in very hot water for about 10 minutes to soften them up.
Shredded Coconut: The unsweetened kind! The balls won’t have a super strong taste of coconut, so don’t be worried if that’s not your thing.
Lemon Juice & Zest: Duh, how could you have lemon protein balls without lemon!? We will use juice and zest from about half of a lemon.
Vanilla Protein Powder: To keep these vegan, I use this vanilla protein powder. Feel free to try other ones at your own risk! Also, it doesn’t have to be vanilla flavored but beware the flavor might change slightly.

How To Make Lemon Protein Balls

First, start by soaking your dates in very hot water for about 10 minutes or until softened. Drain that water and add the dates to your food processor along with the remaining ingredients. I love to use my mini food processor for this recipe since it takes up less space, is easier to clean and works better with recipes that yield a small amount of “dough.” You can also try using a very powerful blender, but the dough is pretty thick and sticky, so it may not work.

Next, pulse all the ingredients in your food processor until it’s starting to form a ball on the side of your food processor. You want everything to be mostly chopped up and combined, with a few small pieces of cashew left (see pictures). However, you really can’t mess these up! It’s all about personal preference. If you want more or less chunks, just alter the amount of time that you blend.

Then, using a small cookie scoop (or a spoon), scoop about about 1 heaping tablespoon of dough per ball. Roll them between your hands to make the perfect ball shape. Place on a parchment-lined plate or in a food storage container. It should make about 14-15 small protein balls. Feel free to dive right in or throw them in the fridge until you’re ready to eat!

Can I Omit or Substitute the Protein Powder?

If you do not have any protein powder on hand, I think that these will still turn out just fine! If you notice that after blending, the dough seems too wet/sticky, you can either add in more nuts or shredded coconut, or even a bit of almond or oat flour.

I have only tried making these Lemon Protein Balls with Sprout Living Vanilla Lucuma flavored protein powder. This is a vegan protein powder that is slightly sweetened with stevia. Other protein powders, including collagen (not vegan), should work as well, but I cannot 100% guarantee the taste/texture will be the exact same. If you try out a substitution and have success, please let us know in the comments below!

Looking for more high protein snacks?