Orange Creamsicle Protein Balls – this one bowl, no bake no blender recipe is a brightly flavored change of pace in snacking! oil free, gluten free, vegan
You all know I love my bite size snacks.
I rely on them for a quick something before workouts, because I generally cannot eat a whole bunch beforehand.
After a workout is a whole other story on eating. Ha!
So, I always have at least a couple different protein balls or energy bites or snack bars on hand. Made quickly, usually small variations of a standard recipe.
Earlier this summer, I was craving something different.
Vibrant, bright, fruity, light.
The bright flavor in this recipe relies on an undiluted fruit concentrate.
Think frozen juice concentrate in a can.
I have been using fruit concentrates a bit recently – my Fruit Sweet Rich Fudgy Brownies have an apple base, and my Vibrant Protein Rich Pineapple Chia Pudding uses pineapple. So good – so much flavor!
These balls are so quick and easy – I have added them to the standard snacking all summer long. I just buy a can of 100% orange juice, and transfer it to freezer friendly container to keep in the freezer. I spoon out what I need when making a new batch.
The Orange Creamsicle Protein Balls look a little more natural when I use a more natural protein powder – my current favorite protein powder…
Orange Creamsicle Protein Balls
YIELD: 11-12 one inch bites
dairy, egg, soy, oil, and gluten free, vegan
INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup cashew butter (or sunflower seed butter*)
3 tablespoons orange juice concentrate (undiluted, from frozen can)
1 cup vegan vanilla protein powder
1/2 cup almond flour, + extra for rolling (or oat flour, to keep nut free)
INSTRUCTIONS:
In a mixing bowl, combine cashew butter and orange juice concentrate. Stir until combined completely and smooth. *If using a nut free seed butter option, you may need to increase protein powder or flour by a tablespoon if the seed butter is runny.
Add protein powder and almond flour, stirring to combine completely.
Using your hands, roll dough into balls approximately one inch in size.
Store in covered container in refrigerator up to one week.
Bright and sweet for something different!
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ABOUT KRISTINA SLOGGETT: Kristina is spabettie! She founded spabettie in 2010 to share her vegetarian recipes. Vegetarian quickly became vegan.
As the sole recipe developer and photographer at spabettie, Kristina turned her love of cooking and creativity into an extremely fun and challenging way to spend her days – sharing just how flavorful and vibrant vegan food is!
She loves dachshunds, Portland, Hawaii, drummers – well, one drummer – and travel.
printable Orange Creamsicle Protein Balls recipe:
- ¼ cup cashew butter (or sunflower seed butter*)
- 3 tablespoons orange juice concentrate (undiluted, from frozen can)
- 1 cup vegan vanilla protein powder
- ½ cup almond flour, + extra for rolling (or oat flour, to keep nut free)
- In a mixing bowl, combine cashew butter and orange juice concentrate. Stir until combined completely and smooth. *If using a nut free seed butter option, you may need to increase protein powder or flour by a tablespoon if the seed butter is runny.
- Add protein powder and almond flour, stirring to combine completely.
- Using your hands, roll dough into balls approximately one inch in size.
- Store in covered container in refrigerator up to one week.
spabettie / Kristina Sloggett is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Sandi says
I love that these are bite-sized…perfect for a quick snack between classes.
Sarah says
Love the fresh and light flavor of these and the ingredients! I bet these would be a family favorite!
Chrystal @ Gluten-Free Palate says
Oh, yum! I love the citrus twist you added to protien balls. Cna’t wait to make them.
Trinity Bourne says
So good, so healthy and really easy – I’d love a plateful please!
Linda from Veganosity says
Creamsicles were my favorite frozen treat when I was a kid. I haven’t had one in ages. These protein balls sound absolutely perfect for after a run.
Christina says
Orange Creamsicle Protein Balls? Get out of town, what a great idea! I’m a big fan of making food with the least amount of ingredients possible so this recipe is right up my alley! Annnnd, I have some leftover vanilla protein powder to use up, so finding this recipe is perfect timing!
Alisa Fleming says
I adore the flavor and the concept, but simply love that it only takes 4 ingredients! Brilliant Kristina.
Kristina Sloggett says
thanks Alisa! we are loving these… I will need to always have the orange concentrate on hand, I think…
Nicole Dawson says
I appreciate having the nut-free option.. have you made it by chance?
Kristina Sloggett says
yep! I used my own oats ground into flour, and the creamy style WOW BUTTER – it is the same consistency so no measure changes needed. I have not yet tried with my sunflower seed butter, which is sometimes A TAD BIT runnier? you may need a tablespoon or so less, or one + tablespoon more ‘flour’… I hope you like these! 🙂
Nicole Dawson says
Thanks! I’ll try it out with SunButter and let you know.
Sophia | Veggies Don't Bite says
MMMMM, creamsicle. Did you invent that? HAHA! But really though, one of my old school faves!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
We’re on the same page today with our balls! I’ll have to try yours. They look mighty tasty. 😉
Kristina Sloggett says
and YOU KNOW I cannot wait to try yours – SO YUM.
Jagruti says
These are always handy, when you need something delicious quickly
Ginny McMeans says
These are so cool and simple! Making asap!
Jeni @ Biscuits & Booze says
I have a friend who was a huge fan of the creamsicle – I am bookmarking these for her. I love one bowl recipes!
Dahn says
what a great quick “one bowl” recipe. I could make this in a flash and eat it like a donut hole .. except way healthier 🙂
Dianne's Vegan Kitchen says
This is such a fun recipe! I loved creamsicles when I was little, and I haven’t had one in forever. I miss that creamy orange flavor. I’m looking forward to trying these!
Lisa | Garlic & Zest says
I find orange juice concentrate to be a great flavor enhancer for lots of recipes — in cakes and cookies, pancakes etc. Never tried them in protein balls, but I can see that they’d work well. Great idea!