Double Chocolate Chia Protein Balls
These double chocolate chia protein balls (or bites) are a terrific healthy snack for adults, and kids too! They’re a tasty no-bake treat full of good-for-you ingredients like chia seeds and oats, and jam-packed full of protein, fibre and healthy fats. They can also easily be made school-safe by substituting the peanut butter for pumpkin seed butter.
As a dietitian mom of three, I know how tricky it can be to find healthy, kid-friendly snacks that check all the boxes: nutritious, easy to make, and actually appealing to little ones. That’s why I love these double chocolate chia protein balls (or “bites”). They’re a quick, no-bake treat that’s packed with good-for-you ingredients like chia seeds, oats, and a touch of chocolate. Not only are they delicious, but they’re also rich in protein, fibre, and healthy fats—making them a fantastic option for keeping little tummies satisfied until the next meal. And with a simple swap of pumpkin seed butter for peanut butter, they’re school-safe too!
Nutritious Energy Ball Recipe for Kids
If you’re on the hunt for nutritious, homemade snack ideas, these healthy energy ball recipes are a great alternative to store-bought options. Like many parents, I’d gotten stuck in a routine of grabbing granola bars, cheese sticks, and apples to keep things simple. But even my son started to complain about the same old snacks, and honestly, I was getting bored of packing them too!
What can I say? Mom-ing is tough and lunches are my arch nemesis after a long day.
The registered dietitian in me loves that these energy balls balance protein, healthy fats, and fibre—all essential for keeping kids fueled and energized. And the mom in me? I’m just happy they’re a hit with my kids! They’re a little sweet, a little salty, and have that perfect blend of chewy and crunchy to keep things interesting.
The Power of Chia Seeds and Protein
With these chocolate chia bites, you get an extra dose of nutrition from chia seeds, which pack in fibre and healthy fats to keep kids fuller for longer. Combined with oats, these ingredients create a nutrient-packed snack that’s perfect for lunchboxes or as an afternoon pick-me-up.
Whether you’re looking to refresh your snack options or just want a fun, easy recipe to add to your rotation, you’ll find that these double chocolate protein balls deliver both flavor and nutrition. Try them out—they might just become your new go-to for a tasty, nutritious snack that the whole family will love!
Double Chocolate Chia Protein Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup oats I used quick-cooking steel-cut oats
- 1 cup peanut butter or pumpkin seed butter if you’re making for school
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 2 1/2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients except the chocolate chips into a food processor and process until well-blended. Transfer to a medium-sized bowl and add chocolate chips. Mix well.
- Roll into 1-inch balls and place on parchment paper inside an airtight container. Chill and serve!
Notes
Sarah Remmer, RD, is a registered dietitian and mom of three, specializing in family and pediatric nutrition. She’s the founder of Centred Nutrition Collective and has nearly 20 years of experience helping families feel confident about feeding their kids.
This post may contain affiliate links. View our policy.
LOVE your recipes Sarah! Recommend them to so many 🙂
Awe thank you Nat!!
Hi Sarah,
I’m going to give these a try this week as a snack for my little girls and for my lunch at work too! How long do they keep in the fridge? Can you freeze them?
thanks!
Did you try storing them or freezing them?
Do you need to grind the chia seeds first?
Nope! You get the same benefits from the Omega-3 with the whole seeds (I don’t grind)
I have a recipe with protein powder, wondering if they would be safe for my grandkids if they visited and wanted one. The recipe is basically the same but with chocolate flavored whey powder.
Thanks for any input.
Heather
Hi Heather. If you’ve got the recipe made and the kids want one – then go for it. The recipe will likely only yield a little bit of protein per serving. But if you have a choice between a baked good with protein powder and without – I would recommend without. Kids can easily meet their protein requirements through food alone. Protein powder, if used regularly, can push them over their requirement and cause trouble for their liver and kidneys. Hope this helps 🙂
Can you freeze these?
Totally!
Hi Sarah,
My wee one refuses meat, milk, and anything ‘odd’ for the most part. She eats some fruit, some veggies and her favorite go to meals are rice,corn, and peas, pasta with sauce, french fries, peanut butter sandwiches and grilled cheese sandwiches. Should I be trying protein powder for her.
She is 2 and a half.
These recipes look great and I can’t wait to see if she will eat them!
Thanks,
Rebecca
Thanks,
Hi Rebecca, thanks for reaching out! I would not try protein powder with your little one. She can get enough protein in food. She actually needs less protein than you think. Check out my blog post on this: https://sarahremmer.com/how-much-protein-do-kids-need/ If you need further support, please contact my team at the Centre for Family Nutrition! https://sarahremmer.com/book-an-appointment/
Thanks for sharing the recipe. I am eager to try them out.
How much protein is in each ball?
Hi Abby. It’s hard to tell exactly as it really depends on the yield. For the entire recipe the chia seeds and peanut butter will give you 72 grams of protein. So say you roll 24 protein bites then each bite will have 2 grams! Yum!
Any sub for the coconut oil?
Hi Eileen. You could probably omit if you don’t have coconut oil on hand. Simply add a tiny bit of water if necessary to help you form the bites. I love the flavour the coconut oil adds 🙂
Re double protein chia chocolate balls – for how long can you keep them in the fridge in an airtight container or how long can you keep them in a freezer?
Hi there! You can keep these energy balls in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, and in the freezer for up to 3 months! Enjoy!
It’s looks good and very tasty recipe. it’s great article. Thanks for sharing this good one.
Thank you! I think you’ll love my other similar recipes, like these https://sarahremmer.com/20-easy-nutritious-kid-friendly-energy-ball-recipes/
Really yummy, really chocolate-y, surprisingly guilt-free!
So glad you enjoyed them as much as we do! Guilt is never an ingredient for us over here :).
I would love to try this recipe but I don’t have a food processor. Do you think a magic bullet would work?
Thanks, Carol! Yes, I do :).
Hi there
Could you share the nutritional value? Calories per serve?
Thank you
Hi Sarah! I’m so sorry, I don’t usually provide this information. However, I’m happy to do a rough calculation for you! Here you go:
Calories: ~123 kcal
Total Fat: ~8.9 g
Saturated Fat: ~3.1 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: ~57 mg
Total Carbohydrates: ~9.3 g
Dietary Fiber: ~2 g
Sugars: ~4 g
Protein: ~3.4 g
Thank you so much
You’re so welcome!