crunchy chocolate chip cookie protein balls

**Full disclosure:  I feature some products in this post, some were gifted and some I bought.  All opinions are my own.**

(warning. I say “balls” a lot today.)

Promise you this – I’ll never claim to be good at cooking.  Baking.  Grilling.  Chef-ing. (?)  But I make these balls every week and my kids (and hubby…well, and I) gobble them up.  If you want some REALLY good protein balls, go check out this girl.  She’s legit and awesome and pretty and my friend and I’m in love with her Spring Sprinkle balls.  In fact, they were the one sweet thing that I could eat during my pregnancy with Porter.  I’d order two dozen at a time and tuck them away in the very back of my freezer where nary a child or husband could find them.

Anyway, I’ve found that I can throw ingredients in a bowl, mix them up, form them into circles and they taste pretty good.  Perfect for a pre or post-workout snack (depending on what type of protein powder you use) or just anytime you’re passing by the freezer and remember that you want to eat a ball.  Which for me happens to be multiple times a day.  I even made a huge batch of these to take to the beach to help fuel our long days in the sun!

There are a few star players here.  We’ve got the two protein powders:   ON Casein (the “slow digester”) and Plant Fusion (the “quick digester”).  The “crunch” comes from the oatmeal and Crunchy NuttZo.  Another must for the successful protein ball are, of course, chocolate chips.  I mean…you’ve freaking worked out.  You deserve a little chocolate.  Am I right??  I am.  Lily’s Sweets (who was one of our Blend sponsors) just sent me some goodies, one of which was their STEVIA-sweetened dark chocolate baking chips!!

These chips are pretty amazing – with 25% fewer calories when compared to traditional baking chips.  I’m thinking that means you can skip the workout and move right on to the balls.

(balls. balls. balls.

Told ya.)

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Crunchy Chocolate Chip Protein Balls

Yields 3 dozen balls

Ingredients:

• 1 scoop Optimum Nutrition Natural Casein – French Vanilla
• 1 scoop Plant Fusion – Chocolate
• 1/2 cup quick oats
• 1/2 cup Crunchy Power Fuel Nuttzo
• 1/3 cup honey (can sub maple syrup or agave)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup Lily’s dark chocolate baking chips

Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl.  Add in nut butter, honey and vanilla.  Mix together with hands.  If needed, add liquid (milk, almond milk, egg whites, even water) to make balls moist.  Mix in chocolate chips.  Form into teaspoon size balls and place on wax paper.  Store in an airtight container in the freezer.

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QUESTION:  Protein balls?  Love/hate?  What do you put in yours??

splendid…lindsay