Salted Caramel Medjool Date Protein Balls
If you want a high fiber, high protein snack that is grab and go then you need to make these salted caramel medjool date protein balls with 8 grams of protein per bite. Loaded with protein, fiber, and flavor, these protein balls make it both fun and delicious to snack on healthy options.
Oatmeal protein balls have always been a favorite snack of mine. Why? Because they are portable, meal prep friendly, and can be made in so many different ways and flavors that you really never get sick of them.
While I have made many protein ball recipes in the past, few have captured my tastebuds the way that this salted caramel medjool date protein ball recipe has. Perfectly sweet and subtly salty, these medjool date protein balls are loaded with flavor, protein, and fiber from the dates, oats and chia seeds.
While the name may lead you to believe that this recipe is made with caramel, it actually gets all of its caramel flavor from the natural flavor and sweetness of blended medjool dates. When blended smoothie, dates make a delicious date caramel sauce that is a healthy ingredient for many sweet treats.
The perfect protein bite for fall, I think you are going to love having these protein balls in your refrigerator!
Why you’ll love these date protein balls:
If I haven’t convinced you to try this recipe already, here are a few reasons why I think you’ll love these protein balls:
They’re high in fiber: Many protein balls focus only on the “protein” part but I wanted mine to also be high fiber protein balls. With 1/4 cup of chia seeds, the old fashioned oats, and the fiber from medjool dates, these protein balls are as loaded with fiber as they are with protein.
Balanced macro’s: These protein balls have carbohydrates from oats and dates, fat from peanut butter and chia seeds, and then protein from protein powder and chia seeds making them a balanced snack option that will keep you feeling satisfied.
While protein powder selections will vary the macronutrients slightly, each protein ball has roughly 165 calories, 8 grams of protein, 23 grams of carbohydrates, and 5 grams of fat if you make 12 protein balls from this recipe.
Naturally sweetened with no refined sugar: While this will depend on the type of protein powder you use, but this recipe mainly gets its sweetness from maple syrup and medjool dates.
High in protein: This recipes gets its protein content from protein powder (vanilla or unflavored), chia seeds, and the peanut butter.
Meal prep friendly: The longer these protein balls sit in your refrigerator, the better they get as the flavors come together. After making them, these protein oatmeal balls should sit for a MINIMUM of 2 hours or ideally overnight to allow the oats to soften.
You’re going to love these salted caramel protein balls with medjool dates. Now let’s get into the ingredients you will need to make them!
Healthier peanut butter caramel dip
The base of this protein ball recipe is this healthier peanut butter caramel fruit dip that pairs perfectly with freshly sliced apples.
Ingredients for protein balls with medjool dates:
Like I said, one of the reasons that protein balls are a great snack is because they can made in so many different ways featuring new flavors.
For these salted caramel protein bites with medjool dates, you’ll need:
Medjool dates: I recommend buying the pitted kind to save time. If you have whole, simply remove the pit before blending.
Maple syrup: You could also use honey.
Milk: This is going to help thin out our date caramel sauce when we pulse it in the food processor.
Peanut butter: You could also use almond butter or any nut butter of your choice!
Protein powder: I recommend using vanilla flavored protein powder OR unflavored will work as well.
Old fashioned oats: You could also use quick oats but I prefer the thicker texture of old fashioned oats:
Chia seeds: Chia seeds add a boost of protein, fiber, and healthy fat. This recipe is loaded with chia seeds so if you prefer fewer, I would add 2 tbsps instead of the full 1/4 cup.
Salt: To give your salted caramel sauce its salty flavor.
Course ground salt: This will be lightly sprinkled on top for garnish and to enhance your salted caramel flavors. You could skip this if you want to cut down on sodium and ingredients!
That’s all you’ll need for this recipe! It really is that easy.
Step by Step Instructions:
Now let’s walk through how to make this recipe. All you’ll need is about 10 minutes for prep and then we will let the protein balls sit in the refrigerator for a minimum of 2 hours, ideally overnight, before enjoying.
Here’s how you’ll make them:
1) Let’s start by making our salted date caramel sauce. Add your pitted dates, peanut butter, maple syrup, salt, and milk to a food processor.
2) Pulse until it reaches a smooth, caramel sauce consistency. These ingredients should give you 1 full cup of salted peanut butter date caramel sauce.
3) Add all of your salted date caramel sauce to a medium sized bowl the add your chia seeds, oats, and protein powder. Stir until fully combined.
4) Using your hands, roll the dough into equally sized 1 to 2 inch balls and place on a lined baking sheet. You may need to wipe your hands off if they get too sticky and are making it hard to roll the protein balls. Once done, refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours or ideally overnight.
5) After your protein balls have sat in the refrigerator, garnish with some melted peanut butter and a light sprinkle of course sea salt. Store in an air tight container and enjoy throughout the week!
Swaps and substitutions:
These medjool date protein balls can be customized to your liking. You could try:
Changing your protein powder flavor: I went for a salted caramel protein ball but you could easily add a different protein powder flavor for a different flavor profile:
Adding extra nutrition: Stir in ingredients like hemp seeds, flax seeds, or dried fruit for an extra boost of healthy fats and antioxidants.
Mix in different ingredients: Chocolate chips, dried coconut, cranberries, and even finely diced medjool dates would be delicious additions to this recipe if you want to change it up.
Swap your nut butter: I made my date caramel sauce with salted peanut butter but you could easily make it with almond butter, sunflower butter, walnut butter, or any other nut butter you prefer.
Blend your oats: If you prefer a smoother protein ball texture, you can blend your oats into oat flour instead of leaving them as whole oats. You may need to adjust how many oats you use to ensure your protein ball dough isn’t too thick or too thin.
Make these salted caramel protein balls your own!
Recipe FAQ:
How to store protein bites?
These protein balls should be stored in the refrigerator in an air tigher container. They can be enjoyed for 5 days.
What to eat with medjool date protein balls?
These protein balls are great on their own or can be paired with hardboiled eggs, a greek yogurt cup, or even beef jerky for an extra protein boost. I would also recommend serving these with a side of fruit for some extra antioxidants.
Can I use any type or flavor of protein powder?
Yes! I think unflavored collagen protein powder or vanilla flavored protein powder will let the medjool date caramel flavors shine through the most but you can add your own preferred protein powder type and flavor if you want a different taste.
What are the macronutrients in these protein balls?
Brand selections will change the macronutrients slightly but each protein ball has roughly 165 calories, 8 grams of protein, 23 grams of carbohydrates, and 5 grams of fat if you make 12 protein balls from this recipe.
*nutrition information is approximated using myfitnesspal.
Other high protein recipes you will love:
If you love this protein ball recipe, then you’ll probably love some of the other high protein recipes I have on the blog as well! Check out:
3 ingredient protein biscuits
These 3 ingredient protein biscuits come together quickly and feature over 10 grams of protein per biscuit. With a surprisingly light texture, they are a deliciously easy way to add some protein to your day.
High Protein Buffalo Chicken Dip
This buffalo chicken dip with greek yogurt is a high protein take on a classic appetizer and can be paired with fresh vegetables for a balanced meal.
High Protein Mac and Cheese
This high protein mac and cheese is coated in a creamy cottage cheese sauce and has over 60 grams of protein. Building up a balanced bowl of pasta has never been more delicious!
High Protein Orange Creamsicle Smoothie
The nostalgic vanilla and orange flavors of an orange creamsicle blended together in a creamy, high protein smoothie that is deliciously refreshing on a hot summer day.
Salted Caramel Medjool Date Protein Balls
Ingredients
Instructions
- Add your milk, salt, medjool dates, peanut butter, and maple syrup to a food processor and blend until smooth. This should make about 1 cup of medjool date salted caramel.
- Add your medjool date salted caramel to a large bowl then add your chia seeds, oats, and protein powder. Mix until fully combined.
- Roll into 12-15 small balls and place on a lined cookie sheet. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours then top with drizzled peanut butter and lightly sprinkle with course sea salt. Enjoy!
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Hey! I’m Lauren
I’m a Registered Dietitian and busy toddler mom committed to bringing you delicious, nutritious, and easy-to-make recipes!