Boost your energy with these Chia Chocolate Protein Bites—a delicious, no-bake vegan snack packed with plant-based protein, healthy fats, and fibre.

Made with chia seeds, nuts, dates, and cacoa, these bite-sized treats are perfect for post-workout fuel, meal prep, or an on-the-go snack. Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free, they’re a wholesome way to satisfy your sweet tooth while staying nourished. Whip up a batch of these chia chocolate protein bites in literally minutes and enjoy a nutritious, high-protein snack any time of day!

Food blogging is not without its pitfalls.  It’s a LOT of hard work and it’s incredibly time consuming – there’s all the researching, developing, photography – and editing!  There’s newsletters to write and send.  There’s posting to and keeping up with what’s going on on all the social media channels.  And don’t get me started on the trying (and failing) to understand analytics.  And there’s the ‘you never switch off from it’ issue as well.  No matter what I’m doing it’s always going on in the back of my mind.

BUT…

Overall it’s one of the BEST things I’ve also done.  First there’s that can’t really be described feeling when someone tells you they’ve made your recipe and it tasted delicious.  Honestly, I wish I could bottle that heart popping feeling.  I’ve also ‘met’ some amazing people thanks to the powers of social media and quietly fallen in love with them (and their pets)  Then, well, there’s all the yummy food.  Because being a food blogger you don’t ever really get stuck in a rut – there’s ALWAYS something new cooking.  And because of this I also get to try some amazing ingredients.

Health Benefits of Chia Seeds

Now, if you’ve followed me for a while you’ll know how much I love chia seeds.  For such tiny little things they’re pretty amazing.

• They’re high in fibre, turning gel like when mixed with liquids and increasing in size and weight. All of which help keep you fuller for longer!
• Their iron content gives your immunity a boost as well as aiding tiredness and fatigue
• Chia seeds are antioxidant and Omega 3 rich too!
• And they have a unique blend of both soluble and insoluble fibre – this helps reduce the rate at which complex carbohydrates are digested – good news for diabetics as this helps regulate insulin in the blood, preventing spikes in glucose levels

Not bad huh?!  And I’m very proud to announce that one of our regular partners – the very lovely people at Hodmedods – now have the first UK grown Chia Seeds!

Other ingredients

I’ve also used cacao powder because it’s less sweet and less processed than cocoa powder. It also has a much richer, more chocolatey flavour. It’s also considerably more expensive, so use what you can afford.

The hemp protein powder is optional and there for an extra vegan protein boost. I’m generally not a fan of protein powders as, to me, they can have a very artificial flavour. The hemp protein powder is less processed and has a very neutral flavour but with all of the protein oomph.

How to make vegan protein balls

To make these vegan protein energy balls simply put everything into a food processor and whizz until it becomes a slightly sticky lump that holds it’s shape when you squidge it together in your hands.

Unless you’re using fairly fresh dates the mix may feel a little too dry.  Just keep whizzing in the food processor and the whole mix will eventually turn into a sticky lump that holds together when squished. OR you can soak the dates in a little hot water before draining and whizzing with the rest of the ingredients.

Then it’s simply a case of rolling into bite sized balls.

Once they’re shaped they can be stored in the fridge but they’re also blooming lovely at room temperature where they soften to an amazing fudgy texture!

If you make this recipe or any of the recipes from The Cook & Him I’d LOVE to see! Just snap a picture and share it on Instagram using #thecookandhim and tagging @thecookandhim in the photo itself (as this guarantees I’ll see your picture!)

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