Description
These Healthy Chocolate Snack Balls are a delicious and nutritious treat made with black beans, cocoa powder, and natural sweeteners. Perfect as a guilt-free snack or dessert, they offer a smooth and rich chocolate flavor with optional flavors like peppermint or coffee. They are easy to prepare in just 5 minutes using a food processor and can be coated with shredded coconut or a chocolate coating for an extra indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 can black beans or 1 1/2 cups cooked black beans
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder or chocolate protein powder
- 3 tbsp coconut oil or nut butter
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- optional 1/4 tsp pure peppermint extract or pinch instant coffee
Optional Coating
- Chocolate coating (as per recipe above)
- Shredded coconut for rolling
Instructions
- Prepare the beans: Drain and rinse the black beans very well to remove any excess liquid and improve texture.
- Blend the ingredients: In a food processor (preferred for best texture), combine the black beans, cocoa powder or chocolate protein powder, coconut oil or nut butter, vanilla extract, salt, maple syrup, and optional peppermint extract or instant coffee. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
- Form the balls: Use a spoon or mini cookie scoop to form the chocolate mixture into 18 to 20 small balls or truffles. Place them on a parchment-lined plate.
- Optional coating: Roll the formed balls in shredded coconut or refrigerate them while you prepare and apply the optional chocolate coating to add an extra layer of flavor and texture.
- Chill and serve: Refrigerate the snack balls for at least 30 minutes to firm up before serving. Enjoy as a healthy snack or dessert.
Notes
- Use a food processor instead of a blender for a smoother texture.
- Substitute maple syrup with honey or agave nectar for alternative natural sweeteners.
- Add a pinch of instant coffee or peppermint extract to vary the flavor profile.
- Roll the balls in shredded coconut, crushed nuts, or cocoa powder for different coatings.
- Store the snack balls in the refrigerator for up to one week for best freshness.
- For a keto version, replace maple syrup with a low-carb sweetener as noted in the optional keto brownie bites recipe.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 truffle
- Calories: 70 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
