Birthday Cake Protein Balls

5 from 6 votes
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Birthday Cake Protein Balls take minutes to make, are filled with good-for-you ingredients, and make for quick, portable snacks. Both kids and adults will love these birthday cake energy balls, which taste just like a cake pop!Cake Batter Energy Bites on a platter coated in sprinkles

Why You’ll Love these Birthday Cake Protein Balls

We prep a batch of energy balls every week for quick, convenient snacking. Some weeks it’s Strawberries and Cream Energy Bites, and other times it’s Raspberry White Chocolate. However lately we have been HOOKED on these Birthday Cake Energy Bites, which legitimately taste like a cake pop. 

I love that they’re made with simple, satiating ingredients like whole-grain oats, nut butter, and heart-healthy hemp seeds. They get their sweet flavor from maple syrup (or honey) and cake batter flavor from a mix of vanilla and almond extract.

Plus, who can resist something coated in sprinkles?! They make a healthy treat taste like something far more decadent. 

Prep a batch at the beginning of the week, and enjoy on repeat for breakfast, snacks, or after a workout. They’re nutrient-dense, and a great way to help bridge the gap between meals. 

Recipe Ingredients and Substitutions:Recipe ingredients in separate bowls on a white board

  • Cashews: Tree nuts such as cashews are a good course of protein, monounsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and vitamin E. Healthy eating guidelines recommend eating nuts several days a week, which includes nut butters, too. Look for raw cashews, as opposed to roasted/salted.
  • Oats: Filling, inexpensive, and versatile, old-fashioned rolled oats bulk up these balls with heart-healthy whole-grains. 
  • Maple Syrup: While still considered an added sugar, maple syrup is lower on the glycemic index than granulated or brown sugar. Plus, it boasts disease-fighting antioxidants (darker grades deliver more than lighter ones). You can also use honey, if you prefer.
  • Collagen Powder: Instead of using protein powder, which can often be grainy, we’re leaning on unflavored collagen powder. Collagen is a protein responsible for healthy joints and skin elasticity, and can contribute to stronger hair, nails, and joints.
  • Cashew Butter: Nut butter helps bind the balls, plus adds heart-healthy fats for more staying power. Look for cashew butter with only two ingredients: cashews and salt. I purchase mine from either Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods. 
  • Hemp Seeds: Tiny yet mighty, hemp seeds are a great source of plant-based protein and omega-3 fatty seeds.
  • Vanilla + Almond Extract: This duo is a must for quintessential cake batter flavor.
  • Sprinkles: I love these Nature’s Colors sprinkles, which are made with vegetable colorants and no artificial dyes.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Blend Oats, Cashews, and Hemp Seeds

Combine oats, cashews, and hemp seeds in the bowl of a food processor. Blend until they break down to the consistency of a coarse sand.Oats, Cashews, and Hemp seeds being blended in a food processor

Step 2: Add Cashew Butter, Maple Syrup, Collagen, and Extracts

Add cashew butter, maple syrup, collagen powder, vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt. Blend until ingredients come together and form a dough-like ball. Do NOT over-mix or you run the risk of too many oils releasing from the nuts and the mixture becoming greasy.Cashew butter, collagen, and maple syrup being blended in a food processor

Step 3: Stir in Sprinkles

Turn out into a bowl and add sprinkles; mix with your hands until combined. (Note: you can also do this right in the food processor bowl with the blade removed.) Sprinkles being mixed into energy ball batter

Step 4: Form into Balls and Chill

Use a small cookie scoop (or spoon) to scoop the mixture into 18 balls. If using a spoon, roll them into balls. If using a cookie scoop, I just like to keep them in the mold of the scoop. Store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Protein balls being rolled in sprinkles on a white plate

FAQs and Expert Tips

How to Store Protein Balls:

Store these energy balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days, or freezer up to 3 months. If you freeze them, let them thaw in the refrigerator to desired consistency. 

How Long do Protein Balls Last?

These birthday cake energy balls should remain refrigerated to prolong their storage life. If left at room temperature for too long, you may notice they start feeling “greasy.” This is just the natural oils from the nuts/nut butter, however it can make the coconut crust loose its crunch.

Therefore, store in the refrigerator for up to 10 days, and try to minimize the time they’re left out at room temperature.

Can this Recipe be Doubled?

This is a great recipe to double or even triple since you can keep a stash of protein balls in the freezer for up to 3 months.

  • Food Processor: I love my 8-cup Cuisinart Food Processor, which is reasonably priced and dishwasher-safe. 
  • Cookie Scoop: The one tool you probably never knew you needed, yet will use constantly!

Birthday Cake Protein Ball with a bite taken out to show inside texture

More of my Favorite Energy Ball Recipes:

Raspberry White Chocolate Energy Bites

Strawberries and Cream Energy Balls

Raw Superfood Brownie Bites

If you give these birthday cake protein balls a try, snap a pic and tag #dishingouthealth on Instagram so I can see your beautiful creations. I also really appreciate readers taking the time to leave a rating and review! Lastly, follow along on Facebook and Pinterest for the latest recipe updates.

5 from 6 votes

Birthday Cake Protein Balls

Birthday Cake Protein Balls take minutes to make, are filled with good-for-you ingredients, and make for quick, portable snacks. Both kids and adults will love these energy balls, which taste just like a cake pop!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 18

Equipment

  • Food processor
  • Small Cookie Scoop (optional, but recommended)

Ingredients  

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Instructions 

  • Combine oats, cashews, and hemp seeds in the bowl of a food processor. Blend until they break down to the consistency of a coarse sand.
    Add cashew butter, maple syrup, collagen powder, vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt. Blend until ingredients come together and form a dough-like ball. Do NOT over-mix or you run the risk of too many oils releasing from the nuts and the mixture becoming greasy.
  • Turn out into a bowl and add 2 Tbsp. sprinkles; mix with your hands until combined. (Note: you can also do this right in the food processor bowl with the blade removed.)
    Use a small cookie scoop (or spoon) to scoop the mixture into 18 balls. If using a spoon, roll them into balls. If using a cookie scoop, I just like to keep them in the mold of the scoop. If desired, roll balls in extra sprinkles. Refrigerate for up to 10 days.

Notes

Store these energy balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days, or freezer up to 3 months. If you freeze them, let them thaw in the refrigerator to desired consistency. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1ball | Calories: 118kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 68mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g

I calculate these values by hand to ensure accuracy, however expect up to a 10% variable depending on food brands.

If you love this recipe, please leave a star rating and review below!
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Recipe Rating




9 Comments

  1. Marisa Flavin says:

    5 stars
    I make these all the time. They are a great mid afternoon snack. Super filling!

  2. Ashleigh says:

    5 stars
    Easy to make and delicious!

    1. Jamie Vespa says:

      I’m so glad you enjoyed them, Ashleigh! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review!

  3. Leslie Knapp says:

    5 stars
    This came together nicely! Very easy. With the scoop I had, I ended up with only 10 balls instead of 18, but I think that will be an acceptable serving size for my breakfast on the go. Thanks

    1. Jamie Vespa says:

      Hi Leslie – So glad you enjoyed them! Thanks for the note of scoop size and final recipe count

  4. Britt l says:

    5 stars
    So delicious and easy, love this recipe. Going to be my go to from now on.

    1. Jamie Vespa says:

      Hi Britt–I’m so glad you loved them!! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review!

  5. Angie says:

    5 stars
    Tasty Tasty Tasty! Definitely worth finding some cashew butter. Next time I will probably omit the sprinkles because although they do make the balls more visually appealing, don’t really add to the taste and are not so great for you.

    1. Jamie Vespa says:

      Hi Angie–I’m so glad you enjoyed them! The sprinkles are just a fun addition, but agreed, not necessary to get the cake batter flavor. Thank you for taking the time to leave a rating and review!