When you’ve ever wished s’mores nevertheless it’s Tuesday afternoon and also you’re not standing round a campfire, that is your resolution.
These protein balls style like s’mores – graham cracker, chocolate, marshmallow – however they’re really made with peanut butter, protein powder, and complete substances. Each has 5 grams of protein and about 100 energy.
No baking required. Simply combine all the things in a bowl, roll into balls, coat with graham cracker crumbs, drizzle with chocolate. Performed in 20 minutes, retains within the fridge for per week.
They’re chewy like cookie dough with little bits of marshmallow all through and that particular graham cracker coating. Principally s’mores you may eat for a snack while not having a fireplace.
Why These Work
Conventional s’mores are marshmallow and chocolate sandwiched between graham crackers. Scrumptious, however nutritionally it’s simply sugar.
These protein balls provide the similar taste profile however with precise endurance.
Peanut butter is the bottom – it offers wholesome fat, protein, and acts because the binder. Protein powder bumps up the protein content material considerably. Crispy rice cereal provides you that graham cracker crunch. Mini marshmallows scattered all through present genuine s’mores taste.
And then you definitely roll them in precise graham cracker crumbs and drizzle with melted chocolate. So that you get the crust and the chocolate coating similar to an actual s’extra.
With 5 grams of protein per ball, these aren’t simply sweet. Two or three of them make a legit snack that can maintain you over between meals.
Good for: Meal prep snacks, post-workout deal with that doesn’t really feel like “well being meals,” satisfying candy cravings, or whenever you need s’mores nevertheless it’s not tenting season.
What You’ll Want
Makes 20-22 balls
For the dough:
- ½ cup pure peanut butter (clean, unsalted)
- ¼ cup honey (or sugar-free honey substitute)
- ¾ cup vanilla protein powder
- ¾ cup crispy rice cereal (like brown rice crisps)
- ⅓ cup mini marshmallows, chopped
- ¼ cup darkish chocolate chips (for mixing in)
For coating:
- ½ cup graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup darkish chocolate chips (for drizzling)
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil (helps chocolate soften easily)
Directions
Step 1: In a big mixing bowl, stir collectively the peanut butter and honey till clean.
In case your pure peanut butter is stiff, microwave it for 10-15 seconds to melt it. I exploit Nate’s natural honey as a result of it’s clean and mixes simply. Makes the entire course of approach simpler.
Step 2: Add the protein powder and stir. The combination will get thick and dough-like. That’s regular.
I exploit Orgain vanilla protein powder for these – it’s candy sufficient that you just don’t want further sugar, and it doesn’t style chalky in no-bake recipes.
Step 3: Fold within the crispy rice cereal, chopped mini marshmallows, and ¼ cup chocolate chips.
I exploit these mini marshmallows from Amazon – they’re the proper dimension and chop simply with kitchen scissors. Use your arms at this level. It’s simpler to knead all the things collectively than attempting to stir with a spoon. The dough needs to be barely crumbly however maintain collectively whenever you squeeze it.
If it’s too dry and received’t stick collectively, add a teaspoon of water or honey. If it’s too moist and sticky, add a bit extra protein powder.
Step 4: Scoop about 1 heaping tablespoon of dough and press it firmly between your arms, then roll right into a ball.
The combination would possibly really feel unfastened due to the cereal, nevertheless it’ll compact as you roll. Press firmly. Repeat till you’ve used all of the dough – ought to get about 20-22 balls.
Step 5: Put the graham cracker crumbs in a shallow bowl. Soften the remaining ¼ cup chocolate chips with 1 teaspoon coconut oil within the microwave (30-second intervals, stirring between, till clean).
Step 6: Roll every ball within the melted chocolate to calmly coat it, then instantly drop it into the graham cracker crumbs and roll to coat all sides.
Work shortly – the chocolate begins setting as quickly because it hits the cooler balls. If it will get too thick, microwave it once more for 10 seconds.
Step 7: Place the completed balls on a parchment-lined tray or plate. When you have leftover melted chocolate, drizzle it over the tops with a spoon for further ornament.
Step 8: Refrigerate for 10-Quarter-hour to let the chocolate agency up. Then they’re able to eat.
Diet Details
Per ball (recipe makes 21):
- Energy: 102
- Protein: 5g
- Fats: 4.6g
- Carbs: 11.7g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 6g
Examine that to precise s’mores – often 150+ energy every with minimal protein and far more sugar. These provide the taste with higher diet and portion management.
The mix of protein from the peanut butter and protein powder plus a little bit of fats means these really fulfill candy cravings as a substitute of simply triggering extra cravings.
Methods to Customise Them
Nut-free model: Use sunflower seed butter as a substitute of peanut butter. Identical measurements, works completely. Ensure your protein powder and chocolate chips are additionally nut-free.
Decrease sugar: Use sugar-free honey substitute or cut back honey to 2-3 tablespoons. Use sugar-free marshmallows and stevia-sweetened chocolate chips. Will get you all the way down to about 3-4g sugar per ball.
Further chocolatey: Use chocolate protein powder as a substitute of vanilla. Add an additional 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips to the dough. Now they’re double chocolate s’mores balls.
No graham crackers: When you can’t discover graham cracker crumbs, roll the balls in crushed walnuts, shredded coconut, or simply skip the coating completely. They’re nonetheless good, simply much less s’mores-like.
Vegan: Use maple syrup as a substitute of honey. Use vegan protein powder, vegan marshmallows, and dairy-free chocolate chips. Use any nut or seed butter.
Add-ins: Throw in a tablespoon of floor flaxseed or chia seeds for further fiber and omega-3s. Or add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the peanut butter combination for extra depth.
Storage Suggestions
These retailer very well, which makes them good for meal prep.
Fridge: Preserve in an hermetic container for as much as 1 week. They keep tender and chewy. The graham cracker coating would possibly lose a tiny little bit of crunch over time, however the taste remains to be nice.
Freezer: These freeze fantastically. Retailer in a freezer bag for as much as 3 months. You may eat them straight from the freezer (they’re like frozen sweet) or allow them to thaw for 10 minutes at room temp.
Portion management tip: Freeze them in particular person servings. Pull out 2-3 balls at a time as a substitute of getting the entire batch sitting in your fridge tempting you.
Widespread Questions
“Can I exploit almond butter as a substitute of peanut butter?”
Sure. Almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter – any nut or seed butter works. The feel and protein content material are related. Simply use unsweetened, unsalted varieties.
“Why received’t my dough stick collectively?”
Both your peanut butter is just too dry, otherwise you added an excessive amount of protein powder. Add honey or water one teaspoon at a time and knead it in till the dough holds collectively when squeezed.
“Can I skip the marshmallows?”
You may, however they received’t style like s’mores anymore. The marshmallows are what make it genuine. When you should skip them, add an additional 2 tablespoons of honey for sweetness and texture.
“Do these should be refrigerated?”
Sure. The honey and chocolate will get too tender at room temperature, particularly in heat climate. They maintain their form greatest when chilled.
“What if I don’t have crispy rice cereal?”
Use fast oats as a substitute. The feel might be completely different – extra like oatmeal cookie dough than s’mores – however they’ll nonetheless be good. You would possibly want so as to add a teaspoon of milk to assist all the things bind.
“Are these really wholesome or simply much less unhealthy?”
They’re legitimately higher than common s’mores. Actual peanut butter offers protein and wholesome fat. Protein powder boosts protein content material. You’re utilizing honey as a substitute of corn syrup. The portion is managed – one ball as a substitute of consuming three full s’mores. Not well being meals, however a better deal with.
Why Protein Balls Work for Snacking
Most snacks are both excessive in protein however style boring, or style nice however go away you hungry half-hour later.
Protein balls clear up this downside. The mix of protein, wholesome fat, and a little bit of carbs creates precise satiety. You’re not simply satisfying a candy tooth – you’re giving your physique one thing that retains you full.
With 5 grams of protein and about 5 grams of fats per ball, two or three of those will tide you over for 2-3 hours. That’s the distinction between a snack and simply consuming sugar.
Plus they’re transportable. Throw a pair in a container, toss it in your bag. You’ve acquired a snack that doesn’t want refrigeration for just a few hours and really tastes good.
Professional Suggestions
Press firmly when rolling. The dough feels crumbly at first due to the cereal and marshmallows. Actually squeeze it in your palms earlier than rolling. It’ll compact and maintain collectively.
Chill the dough if it’s too sticky. In case your kitchen is heat and the dough is sticking to your arms, refrigerate it for 10 minutes earlier than rolling. Makes it approach simpler to work with.
Use parchment paper. Whenever you’re coating the balls with chocolate and graham crackers, it will get messy. Parchment paper makes cleanup simpler and prevents sticking.
Reduce marshmallows small. Massive marshmallow chunks make the balls more durable to roll and might trigger them to disintegrate. Use kitchen scissors to cut mini marshmallows into smaller items.
Don’t skip the coconut oil within the chocolate. It helps the chocolate soften easily and keep fluid longer when you’re coating the balls. With out it, the chocolate seizes up too quick.
Extra Wholesome Fall Recipes
When you’re into no-bake protein snacks and fall flavors:
No-Bake Pumpkin Protein Power Bites – Related idea however with pumpkin and pumpkin spice. No baking, good for meal prep.
Wholesome Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal – If you need one thing heat. Metal-cut oats with pumpkin and spices, prepared in 25 minutes.
Pumpkin Pie Yogurt Bowl – Fast protein-packed breakfast that tastes like pumpkin pie. 18g protein, 3 minutes to make.
Excessive-Protein Pumpkin Bread – Moist pumpkin bread with cottage cheese and protein powder. 6g protein per slice.
Greek Yogurt Pumpkin Muffins – Seize-and-go pumpkin muffins. 184 energy every, naturally sweetened, freezer-friendly.
The Backside Line
Most “wholesome” desserts both style like cardboard or require seventeen specialty substances you’ll by no means use once more.
These s’mores protein balls use regular substances – peanut butter, honey, protein powder, cereal, graham crackers, chocolate. Stuff you most likely have or can simply get.
And so they really style like s’mores. Not “wholesome s’mores” or “s’mores-inspired” – they style like the actual factor. Graham cracker coating, chocolate drizzle, marshmallow bits all through, chewy texture.
The distinction is you’re getting 5 grams of protein per ball as a substitute of simply sugar. And so they’re portion-controlled – one or two satisfies the craving with out demolishing your complete day nutritionally.
Make a batch on Sunday. Preserve them within the fridge. You’ve acquired snacks for the week that style like campfire treats however even have endurance.
No campfire required. No responsible feeling afterward. Simply s’mores you may eat everytime you need them.
