Strawberry Cheesecake Protein Balls Recipe
These Strawberry Cheesecake Protein Balls are a delicious, no-bake snack combining the creamy tang of cheesecake with fresh strawberries and a boost of protein. Made with almond flour, vanilla protein powder, and cream cheese, they’re perfect for a quick energy-boosting treat that feels indulgent but is packed with nutrition. Customize with optional add-ins like white chocolate chips or graham cracker crumbs for added texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes (includes chilling time)
- Yield: Makes about 12 balls 1x
- Category: Snack
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
The Cheesecake Base:
- 1 cup almond flour (or oat flour for nut-free)
- ½ cup vanilla protein powder
- 4 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup fresh strawberries, mashed (or freeze-dried strawberries)
- 2 tablespoons cashew butter or almond butter
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Optional Add-Ins:
- 2–3 tablespoons white chocolate chips
- Graham cracker crumbs for rolling
- Extra freeze-dried strawberries, crushed
- Lemon zest for extra tang
Instructions
- Mix the Dry Stuff: In a large bowl, combine almond flour, vanilla protein powder, and a pinch of salt. Stir well to prevent protein clumping when wet ingredients are added. If using fresh strawberries, mash them lightly, leaving some chunks for bursts of flavor.
- Add the Creamy Components: Add softened cream cheese, nut butter, honey, and vanilla extract to the dry mix. Mix vigorously for about a minute until a thick, cookie-dough-like consistency forms, ensuring all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Strawberry Time: Gently fold in the mashed strawberries and, if desired, white chocolate chips. The mixture will become a pale pink and may feel slightly wet. This is normal and will firm up during chilling.
- Roll Into Balls: Scoop tablespoon-sized portions of the mixture. Using damp hands or a little cooking spray, roll them into smooth balls. For an extra touch, roll the balls in crushed graham crackers, freeze-dried strawberry powder, or shredded coconut.
- Chill Out: Refrigerate the balls for at least 20 minutes before serving. This step enhances flavor melding and firms up the texture, making them taste more like cheesecake.
Notes
- Softening the cream cheese is key for easy mixing; leave out at room temperature for 30 minutes or microwave for 10 seconds.
- If nut allergies are a concern, substitute almond flour with oat flour and use sunflower seed butter instead of nut butter.
- Store these protein balls in the fridge for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- For a vegan variation, use vegan cream cheese and maple syrup instead of honey.
- Adjust sweetness by altering honey or maple syrup to taste.
Keywords: Strawberry cheesecake protein balls, no-bake snack, high protein snack, healthy dessert, energy balls
