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No Bake Chocolate Peppermint Protein Balls

Name: No Bake Chocolate Peppermint Protein Balls
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 10 tablespoons cocoa powder; 6 tablespoons maple syrup; 1/4 cup almond butter (, use sunbutter for nut free (see note)); 1/4 cup unflavored pea protein powder (, I use NOW Sports brand (see note)); ¼ - ½ teaspoon peppermint extract (, use more if not using the candy cane option); 1/4 teaspoon sea salt; 2-4 tablespoons crushed candy canes (, or cacao nibs for a healthy crunchy option (plus more to top for presentation if wanted)); 2-4 tablespoons dairy free chocolate chips (, omit for even healthier option); 2-4 tablespoons water (optional (see note))

By Sophia DeSantis, Reviewed by Anjali Shah on September 17, 2026

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I always have these no-bake chocolate peppermint protein balls in the fridge during December as a healthy holiday treat. I make them with cocoa powder, peppermint extract, and almond butter. In just 5 minutes, I have rich brownie-like bites with a cool minty finish and just enough crunch from candy canes or cacao nibs.

White bowl filled with chocolate peppermint candy cane balls on a red checkered towel

Chocolate and peppermint are a quintessential holiday flavor combination, and when they show up in these bite-sized no bake chocolate peppermint protein balls, they are virtually irresistible. These balls have the rich cocoa flavor of brownie batter, but with the nutritious benefits of pea protein powder and natural nut butter. This recipe is focused on a festive flavor, but I make my chocolate protein balls throughout the rest of the year. If you are tired of the unhealthy, tempting treats that show up around Christmas, make sure you have an adequate supply of these protein bites in your fridge.

Table of Contents hide

👩🏽‍🍳 Why I Love This Recipe

🍽 Serving Suggestions

🧊 Storing And ♨️ Reheating

❓Recipe FAQs

🍪 More No Bake Recipes!

After seeing how much my boys loved protein balls the first time they tried them, I made them weekly and even changed them up for the seasons. In October, it was pumpkin protein balls, and when the Christmas holidays started approaching, I knew I needed to do a peppermint version. My kids were very eager to help as soon as they saw me smashing candy canes with a rolling pin. I had to rein them in, or we would have ended up with powder instead. Ha!

👩🏽‍🍳 Why I Love This Recipe

No bake chocolate peppermint protein balls are the kind of treat I love making since it is sweet, festive, and still a little nourishing. Along with all the possible health and nutrition benefits of cocoa powder, such as being rich in antioxidants, it also gives the balls a rich chocolate flavor. The almond butter adds healthy fats and a creamy texture, and pea protein turns these balls into a snack with actual sustenance. As a health coach, I love an indulgent treat that is way healthier than it tastes.

Making no bake chocolate peppermint protein balls from start to finish really could not be easier. I stir the cocoa powder, maple syrup, almond butter, protein powder, peppermint extract, and salt into a thick batter, then add a little water if necessary. After that, I fold in the candy canes or cacao nibs and chocolate chips, chill the mixture briefly, then roll it into perfect little treats.

The first December that I made these, I had some stashed in the fridge, which I intended on using exclusively for visitors and small end-of-year gatherings. I even had some earmarked for Santa’s plate when he came down the chimney. Instead, every time someone opened the fridge, one would disappear. Even I was guilty of pinching one or two. But when I actually had visitors coming over, the bowl was empty. I learned my lesson and started hiding chocolate protein balls in containers with vegetable labels on them. Now I am the only one who steals from it. Ha! Be sure to add this recipe to your list of holiday sweet treats.

🥘 Ingredients

This is everything I use to create the fudgy texture and flavor in my no bake chocolate peppermint protein balls:

Candy cane covered brownie balls on a white plate with a reindeer on it

Cocoa powder: Cocoa powder gives my protein balls their rich chocolate flavor and dark brownie batter look. I prefer using unsweetened, so I have better control over the sweetness myself.

Maple syrup: I use this to sweeten and pull the batter together while also keeping the texture soft.

Almond butter: This makes the balls creamy and satisfying while helping bind everything together. If I need a nut-free option, sunflower seed butter works well, too.

Unflavored pea protein powder: I include this for the protein boost and to help thicken the batter so it is easy to roll.

Peppermint extract: Peppermint extract gives these bites their cool menthol holiday flavor.

Sea salt: A small pinch balances the sweetness and sharpens the chocolate flavor.

Crushed candy canes or cacao nibs: This is where the crunch comes from. Candy canes make the recipe extra festive, while cacao nibs are a great option when I want a less sugary version that still has texture.

Dairy-free chocolate chips: I add these for extra bursts of chocolate throughout the mixture.

Water (if needed): Water is only there if the batter needs a little help coming together. I add it slowly so the mixture stays thick enough to roll.

🔪 How To Make

No-bake peppermint protein balls are a wonderfully low-effort recipe that is still enchanting enough for the holiday season. This is the quick process I follow when I make them:

Add ingredients to a bowl: I add the cocoa powder, maple syrup, almond butter, protein powder, peppermint extract, and salt to a bowl.

White bowl with dry and wet baking ingredients

Stir and add fillers: Then stir until a thick batter forms. If the mixture looks too dry or crumbly, I add water a teaspoon at a time until it mixes smoothly. Once the base is ready, I stir in the crushed candy canes or cacao nibs along with the chocolate chips. After that, I chill the mixture for a few minutes.

Collage with a white bowl filled with raw chocolate batter and raw chocolate batter with candy cane pieces

Roll: I scoop the chilled batter and roll it into bite-sized balls, and roll the outside in a little more crushed candy cane for an extra festive finish.

Brownie balls covered in crushed candy cane spread out on a white wooden table

Enjoy: I either place them back in the fridge until I want to serve them or eat one right away.

Fingers grabbing a chocolate peppermint candy cane ball with a bite out of it

💭 Expert Tips

My #1 Secret Tip for this no bake chocolate peppermint protein balls recipe is to add the water very slowly and stop the second the mixture holds together when pressed. This kind of no-bake dough can go from perfectly fudgy to too soft surprisingly fast, especially if my almond butter is already runny. I start with a teaspoon at a time and mix really well after each addition.

Other Tips To Keep In Mind:

Use runny nut butter: A smooth drippy almond butter mixes into the cocoa and protein powder more easily than a stiff crumbly one, like the kind at the bottom of the jar. If mine is very thick, I stir it really well first so the oil is fully incorporated back in.
Chill before rolling: I always give the mixture a quick chill before shaping to firm up the batter and make it less sticky on my hands when rolling.
Taste the mint: Peppermint extract can vary a lot in strength, which is why I like to taste the mixture before rolling it. If I am using cacao nibs instead of candy canes, I usually add a little more peppermint extract so the mint flavor still pops.
Crush candy finely: When I use candy canes, I crush them into small pieces instead of big chunks. That way, they mix through the dough more evenly and do not make the balls crack while rolling.
Mix in last: I stir the candy canes, cacao nibs, and chocolate chips in at the very end. If they go in too early, the dough can become harder to mix, and the candy cane pieces start dissolving into the batter.

📖 Variations

I make these no bake chocolate peppermint protein balls so frequently during the holidays that I change them up slightly to avoid repetition. These are 3 of my most complimented variations:

Mint mocha: I add 1/2 teaspoon instant espresso powder along with the cocoa and keep the peppermint extract at 1/4 teaspoon for a chocolate mint coffee version. My husband and I love having these with a mocha latte.

Double chocolate: I skip the candy canes and add 2 extra tablespoons of dairy-free mini chocolate chips plus 1/4 teaspoon espresso powder for a richer chocolate version. This one tastes most like brownie batter and is my kids’ favorite.

Coconut snowballs: After shaping the mixture into balls, I roll them around in unsweetened shredded coconut. These look like little snowballs, and I love adding them between the dark brown balls for an interruption of color.

🍽 Serving Suggestions

No bake chocolate peppermint protein balls look fantastic next to other festive dessert items. If you want to keep things as fuss-free as possible, I recommend serving them with festive strawberry Santa hats and reindeer holiday sandwiches. But if you want them with something a little more grown-up, they pair really well with a glass of vegan eggnog as an after-dinner treat.

A few years ago, I went all out and hosted a dessert-only party. I made sure everyone had dinner before coming over, and served Nutella donut acorns, chocolate peppermint protein balls, Christmas rice krispie treats, and snowman cupcakes. I arranged the desserts around my very large and festive puff pastry Christmas tree with cups of hot chocolate for everyone.

🧊 Storing And ♨️ Reheating

Refrigeration: I stir protein balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Freezing: These freeze really well, which is why I love making a double batch in the holidays. I freeze them in a sealed freezer-safe container between layers of parchment paper.

Reheating: I usually eat these chilled and straight from the fridge, but if they have been frozen, I let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving so the center softens slightly.

❓Recipe FAQs

How do I keep the peppermint flavor from tasting too strong?

Peppermint extract can overpower the recipe very quickly, so I start with a small amount and taste the batter before rolling. If you want to leave the extract out, that is fine, but then do not skip on the candy canes for that touch of mint. If you do this, I recommend crushing some extra candy canes finely and rolling the protein balls in them after shaping.

Can I make these without protein powder?

Yes, you can swap the protein powder for the same amount of oat flour if you still want a soft, brownie-like texture. The flavor stays very similar, but the balls will be a little more like a no-bake truffle and less like a protein snack. I would still add the liquid slowly since oats and protein powder absorb moisture differently.

What can I do to fix a protein ball mixture that gets too wet?

If I add too much water and the mixture turns soft or sticky, I fix it by adding a little more cocoa powder, protein powder, or oat flour, a teaspoon at a time, until it thickens back up. I usually start with whichever ingredients fit the version I am making. Cocoa keeps the chocolate flavor strong, protein powder keeps the texture closer to the original, and oat flour works when I want to avoid adding too much richness. After mixing in the dry ingredients, I place the bowl in the fridge for 15-20 minutes to help the batter firm up.

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