15-Minute No-Bake Cranberry Almond Protein Balls
No-bake protein balls combining oats, almond butter, and protein powder with tart dried cranberries and warm cinnamon. Sweetened with maple syrup and finished with almond and vanilla extracts. Quick to prepare in a food processor, these nutrient-dense bites require no baking and minimal equipment.
Ingredients
- ½ cup quick oats
- ½ cup protein powderunflavored collagen1:1nutrition
different texture, less sweet
- 2 Tbsp hemp seeds or chia seedsground flaxseed1:1vegannutrition
similar nutrient density
- ¾ cup almond butter
- 3 Tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- sea salt, pinch
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon(optional)
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- 2 Tbsp water
Instructions
- 1
Add oats, protein powder, hemp seeds, almond butter, maple syrup, almond extract, vanilla extract, sea salt, and cinnamon to a food processor.
- 2
Blend until combined into a thick dough, stopping to scrape sides with a rubber spatula as needed for even blending.
- 3
Taste and adjust sweetness with additional maple syrup or dried cranberries if desired.
- 4
Add water in 2 to 4 tablespoon increments if dough is too crumbly to press together, until it reaches firm cookie dough consistency.
- 5
Form 12 to 16 balls from the mixture.
Tips
Stop food processor periodically to scrape sides for even blending.
Dough should resemble firm cookie dough before forming balls.
Taste before adding extra sweetener to avoid over-sweetening.
Good to Know
Refrigerate in airtight container up to 1 week or freeze up to 3 months.
Prepare dough up to 1 day ahead before forming and refrigerating balls.
Serve chilled or at room temperature as grab-and-go snack.
Common Mistakes
Over-blend to prevent dough becoming too wet and sticky.
Add water gradually to avoid crumbly dough requiring additional binder.
Chill formed balls if handling is difficult before serving.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
Vegan Options
similar nutrient density
Nut-Free Alternatives
General Alternatives
different texture, less sweet