Need a healthy, sweet, and simple recipe for a delicious holiday snack? It takes about 20 minutes of your time to easily whip up a batch of this Christmas pudding flavored gluten-free protein balls recipe. They are infused with traditional Christmas spices like cinnamon, allspice, cocoa, and a touch of orange.
🛍️ These would make a perfect sweet treat after a long day of shopping. 🛍️
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Why this recipe works
- These homemade protein balls are a healthy snack that are gluten-free and filled with traditional Christmas spices like cinnamon, allspice, cocoa, and a touch of orange then sweetened with dates and raisins. It's a guilt-free treat at Christmas time.
- They are easy to make in just 20 minutes and freeze well so you can enjoy them all through the holiday season.
- If you are following a vegan diet then you will be happy to know that thses are also vegan protein balls with no refined sugar. It's a treat your whole family will enjoy.
- They make great unique healthy gifts at Christmas time for your friends. Make them a variety box using my Matcha Energy Balls and Lemon Ginger Energy Balls.
- If you are on a gluten-free diet, it can bei difficult to find a treat to substitue for Christmas cookies. This easy recipe is the answer, with a few basic ingredients you have great snack. Santa would love a plate of these with his glass of milk.
🛒 Ingredient notes
These gluten-free power balls are made with simple ingredients that infuse warm Christmas spices.
- protein powder: For this recipe I use coconut protein powder that is vanilla flavored. If you have a favorite protine powder feel free to use it, I would just suggest it be vanilla
- dates: The best dates to use are whole pitted Medjool Dates. There are differnet brands but this is the best variety of dates. If yours come with pits, the best thing to do is slice the date in half and pull the seed out and discard. You might notice some white crystal like covering on them, don't worry, this is just the sugars crystalizing on the skin.
- orange juice: For the best flavor I like to slice an orange in 1/2 and squeeze it fresh.
- orange zest: Fresh orange zest is best becuse it releases the flavorful oils from the peel into your protein balls.
- raw cacao powder: Do not use hot chocolate mix, which is different from raw cacao because it contains added sugar, fat and milk products.
🔪 Step by step instructions
- Put dates, raisins, protein powder, peacans, orange juice, cinnamon, all spice orange zest, and cocoa powder in a food processor.
2. Blend all of the ingredients in a food processor for 2-3 minutes or until a smooth consistency is obtained.
3. Scoop the sticky mixture using a small cookie scoop into approximately 12 even-sized balls. Roll the ball in the palm of your hand to pack the mixture tight. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and chill for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
3. Cut dried cranberries into thirds, then roll in your fingers to form balls for berry decorations
4. Slowly melt the white chocolate in a double boiler. Remove balls from the refrigerator and top with a dollop of chocolate, encouraging slight drips down the side of the ball.
5. Place two small pieces of cranberry balls and 2 pumpkin seeds on each Christmas pudding protein ball to decorate like holly.
6. Place cookie sheet in the refrigerator to allow the protein balls to harden for about 20 minutes. Store in the fridge until you are ready to eat. Enjoy!
Tip: how to zest an orange 🍊
- Wash the outside peel of your orange. Dry with a clean towel.
- Using a small zester, push the oranges down the grater, just like you would shread cheese.
- Turn the orange frequently as you grate.
- Be very careful not to go past the organe peel into the white layer. This part of the orange is very bitter and would not be good in a recipe.
Zester & Cheese Grater
Variations
- Nuts: You could substitute the pecans with walnuts or cashews. Both would be a great addition.
- Protine powder: You do not need to use coconut protine powder only. Use your favorite as long as it is vanilla.
- Rasins: You can use brown or white rasins or both.
- You could press the gluten-free dough into a small square pan to make protein bars instead of little balls. Just drizzle your white cocolate over the bars and top with holly decorations.
💭 Tips for making the recipe
- If you don't have a double boiler, gather two pans, being sure one fits right inside the other without gaps. Fill the bottom pan with one or two inches of water. Next, set the top pot into the pan with water. Bring to a low simmering boil. You do not want this to boil too hard, or it will cause water to splash out into your top pan. This will ruin your melting chocolate.
- To make sure your protein balls are uniform in size don't use a wooden spoon to scoop out the dough. It is best to use a small cookie scoop (LINK0 to scoop out even size pieces of dough before rolling them into a ball. It might help to start with wet hands so the sticky dough forms a ball instead of staying on your hands.
- Be sure and choose whole pumpkin seeds for the leaves next to the cranberries to look more like holly
FAQ
Protein balls are a healthy alternative to processed snacks high in sodium and refined sugar. The sweetness is from all-natural dried fruits.
Protein-energy balls can last up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator if you store them in an air-tight container. The key is to keep them cool and sealed, so they do not dry out.
How to store
Place a single layer of the protein balls in an airtight container. Place in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Another great way to store protein balls in the refrigerator or freezer is using a deviled egg tray carrier. This carrier will keep the protein balls separate and the decorations on top nice. It's perfect for carrying them to a friend or a Christmas party.
Giving as a gift
These Christmas Pudding Gluten-Free Protein Balls would make a great healthy gift during the holiday season. You could give them a variety box using my Matcha Energy Balls and Lemon Ginger Energy Balls.
Wrap them in a pretty truffle box to make the gift even more special.
BAKIPACK 20 Truffle Box, Chocolate Box Packaging, Candy Boxes with 8-Piece Plastics Tray
Perfect size to hold up to 8 standard size protein balls, chocolates, and candy. It has a clear viewing window for optimal product visibility. Tie a pretty bow around the box, and you have the perfect healthy Christmas treat gift.
More Christmas ideas
Recipe
Christmas Pudding Flavored Protein Balls
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup dates pitted
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup coconut protein powder or your favorite vanilla protein powder
- 1/2 cup pecans
- 1 tablespoon orange juice fresh-squeezed
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon all spice
- 1 teaspoon orange zest fresh
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
Deocorations
- 1/4 cup white melting chocolate vegan
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds nice shaped pumpkin seeds for leaves
- 1/2 tablespoon dried cranberries
Instructions
- – Blend raisins, protein powder, pecans, orange juice, cinnamon, allspice orange zest, and cocoa powder in a food processor.
- Blend all of the ingredients in a food processor for 2-3 minutes or until a smooth consistency is obtained.
- Scoop the dough using a small cookie scoop into approximately 12 even-sized balls. Roll the ball in the palm of your hand to pack the mixture tight. Place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and chill for 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- Cut dried cranberries into thirds, then roll in your fingers to form balls for berry decorations.
- Melt the white chocolate in a double boiler. Remove balls from the refrigerator and top with a dollop of chocolate, encouraging slight drips down the side of the ball.
- Place two cranberry pieces and 2 pumpkin seeds on each Christmas pudding protein ball to decorate.
- Place cookie sheet in the refrigerator to allow the protein balls to harden for about 20 minutes. Store in the refrigerator until you are ready to eat. Enjoy!
Notes
- Wash the outside peel of your orange thoroughly. Dry with a clean towel.
- Using a small zesting grater push the oranges down the grater, just like you would shread cheese.
- Turn the orange frequently as you grate.
- Be very careful not to go past the orange peel into the white layer. This part of the orange is very bitter and would not be good in a recipe.
- If you don't have a double boiler, gather two pans, being sure one fits right inside the other without gaps. Fill the bottom pan with one or two inches of water. Next, set the top pot into the pan with water. Bring to a low simmering boil. You do not want this to boil too hard, or it will cause water to splash out into your top pan. This will ruin your melting chocolate.
- To make sure your protein balls are uniform in size don't use a wooden spoon to scoop out the dough. It is best to use a small cookie scoop (LINK0 to scoop out even size pieces of dough before rolling them into a ball. It might help to start with wet hands so the sticky dough forms a ball instead of staying on your hands.
- Be sure and choose whole pumpkin seeds for the leaves next to the cranberries to look more like holly
Nutrition
update Notes: This post was originally published in 2020 but was republished with new photos, step-by-step instructions, and tips in September 2021.
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