Made with whole foods in mere minutes, these raw brownie bites are packed with protein and the perfect after school snack! There is even a nut-free option making this the ultimate allergy friendly recipe.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of NOW Foods. The opinions and text are all mine.
Unlike other quick snacks, these raw brownie bites will keep your kids full and satisfied. They boost 6 grams of protein in each small bite and are made with healthy whole foods. They take only minutes to put together, keeping them mom friendly, and taste like dessert, keeping them kid friendly. Basically, perfection.
But where do you get your protein?
Everywhere. The question really should be, where do you NOT get your protein. If you eat the right foods, you will get plenty of everything you need to lead a healthy active life. The roadblock to this is kids. The little devils like to make life hard, and when you have a screamer, it’s easy to cave. I should know, I often succumb to the little terrorist.
This school year I decided I am going to be a creative healthy whole food mom. At least I am going to start out that way, I make no promises once the year goes on. So I whipped out my best arsenal, dessert. And made a treat not even my craziest little monster could refuse. Gotcha kid, I finally win.
To keep the DeSantis child hanger from creeping in, I needed something that would fill them up, something stuffed with protein and whole foods, but tasted like it was filled with sugar. So I went to my favorite protein powder, NOW Sports Organic Pea Protein Powder, where the only ingredient is yellow peas.
I am not much of a premixed protein powder drink lover. I prefer to create my own smoothies with whole foods, which is why I have used this pure pea protein for years. It is not only low in fat, carbs, calories, etc, but it has over 2700 mg of branched-chain amino acids and over 1300 mg of arginine. Which makes it the ideal post workout nutrition. And it mixes well in just about anything, so the prefect ingredient for this recipe.
I love that this powder has no added sweeteners (I am not a fan of stevia, which is in basically all of them), so I can add whatever sweetener I prefer. It is also really neutral so any and all flavors go great with it!
Making raw protein bites is so easy, the kids can do it!
Much like my Grain Free Chocolate Chip Cookies, kids will love them and we are okay with a few extra since they are made with great ingredients. Making these no bake brownie bites are really as simple as dump, stir, and roll. Or don’t roll and just shove into mouth. Anything works!
- Put all ingredients, except the chocolate chips and water, into a bowl.
- Stir everything together well. Add water if needed, 1 tablespoon at a time until you get the texture you prefer.
- Add chocolate chips and stir again.
- Eat as is, or let chill while you clean up, then roll into balls.
This easy after school snack will be your next go to! You can even put the balls in their lunch to avoid the end of school day hanger that comes with our stubborn (errr, I mean behaviorally strong) little ones. The list of greatness these have is one to boast about for sure!
- vegan
- gluten free
- grain free
- raw, no bake
- whole food based
- no refined sugar (leave out the chocolate chips for extra pureness)
- packed with protein
- nut-free option
- tastes like dessert
- made in mere minutes!
Raw brownie bites made in minutes, packed with protein and a perfect after school snack! The nut-free option makes this the ultimate allergy friendly treat.
- 10 tablespoons cocoa powder (I use NOW Foods brand)
- 6 tablespoons maple syrup (I use NOW Foods brand)
- 1/4 cup almond butter , use sunbutter for nut free (see note)
- 1/4 cup unflavored pea protein powder , see note (I use NOW Sports brand)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 2-4 tablespoons dairy free chocolate chips , omit for even healthier option
- 2-4 tablespoons water , optional (see note)
Put everything except the chocolate chips and water into a bowl and mix well.
Slowly add water if needed. You may not need any water if your almond butter is runny. If you are rolling these into balls, only add water if you need help mixing the batter well. Start with a teaspoon and slowly add until you get a well mixed batter. If you add too much then the batter will be too soft to roll.
Add chocolate chips and mix again.
Eat right away if you are eating as batter.
Allow to chill in the fridge while you clean up, then roll into balls if you prefer to eat it that way.
- These make 10 balls about 2 inches in size
- To make this nut free use sunbutter, this will change the flavor slightly but will allow it to be completely allergy friendly
- You can sub another kind of protein powder, just make sure it is unsweetened and unflavored
- If you are making balls or your almond butter is runny you may not need any water, add slowly to get the consistency you prefer
- You could also use milk if you want a little extra richness
- Nutrition facts include 1 1/2 tablespoons of chocolate chips
- If you do not have, or do not want to use, a protein powder you can sub oat flour. Use the same amount. My friend Brandi from The Vegan 8 tried this and said it worked perfectly and no water was needed.
Maureen says
Is there a local store to buy the pea protein in a smaller quantity?
veggiesdontbite says
Hi Maureen! NOW is a big brand in the whole sports vitamins and supplements area so any local store that has that stuff should have it. Like a GMC or vitamin shop?? You can try a health food store as well. I’m not sure what is around you but if they carry sports supplements they should have it.
The Vegan 8 says
Like I said, thank you for not using dates! My goodness, finally a brownie bite recipe that does not rely on those awful things, hahahaha. Ok, I’m kidding, but seriously they ALL seem to use them in those raw brownie recipes. Except for myself, I always use syrup in my raw brownies and desserts too, but sometimes like to try other recipes, but never can since everybody always use dates….well, NOW I CAN! haha! Can’t wait to try them!
The Vegan 8 says
Oh and I don’t use protein powders so I’m just going to sub oat flour. In one of my old brownie recipes I used protein powder but that was a few years back and stopped using it and now just sub oat flour and brown rice flour instead, but since these are raw, I think oat flour will be best. I’m sure it’ll work out great! I’ll let you know!
veggiesdontbite says
Yep! I wanted a super fast and easy dump and stir recipe that even my kids can make. I don’t do protein powders either, except for this one since the only ingredient is peas. It is the best low fat, low cal and low carb way I have found to get extra protein in my smoothies so once I found it I have used it ever since. Which is why I used it here, I wanted a way to get some extra protein in the kids and me without having to add a ton more calories. But I definitely think oat flour should work! Although it won’t have the extra protein but if that’s ok then no problem. I’ll put it in the recipe notes too. Thanks girl!
The vegan 8 says
Coming back to rate these! As I said on IG, they are amazing, rich and so satisfying! I love the dark chocolate flavor!! Totally the perfect snack. Olivia loved them too and I subbed with the 2 tablespoons oat flour (16g) and it was perfect! Batter came together like a breeze and I needed no water. Will be making these often! ❤️
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you so much friend! I’m so happy you love it! Thank you so much for trying them!!
Stacey says
I just made these..OMG! I feel like I’m being really really bad..?. I tried to eat just one, but that didn’t go so well. Exactly like brownie batter, exactly as you described. Is there anything you and the Vegan8 dont do great???
Thank you so much!! Will tag you in my unimpressive instagram lol!
veggiesdontbite says
Hahahaha!! SO funny!! The great news is that you aren’t bad at all because these are pretty darn healthy! I am so happy you love these as much as we do. I created them for healthy but real dessert like treat and am thrilled everyone likes them too. You are too kind to put me in the same category as the amazing Brandi, she is such a talented human and I am blessed to call her a friend. I can’t wait to see your IG! Thank you so so much!
Cassie Autumn Tran says
I saw that giant bowl of brownie batter and wanted to dig into it SO BADLY! Spooning into a bowl of cookie dough or un-baked batter is a guilty pleasure of mine. Brownie batter is incredibly delectable, so I know I’d adore this one!
veggiesdontbite says
Ah, thank you Cassie! I love raw dough and batter too!!
Zatara Hale says
Love this recipe! It turned out delicious, I ended up using my vanilla protein from Arbonne. This is such a great treat!
veggiesdontbite says
So happy you liked it! And glad to hear your protein powder worked!
Heather says
The recipe sounds fantastic. Looking forward to trying it.
Can you tell me if the Pea Protein powder is grainy or smooth please?
Really enjoyed reading your blog and that you put the Nutrition Facts in too. Well done and thank you.
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks so much Heather! They really are delicious! The pea protein I use is pretty smooth. You could also use oat flour if you prefer and don’t want to get protein powder. Or use the protein powder you typically use. Just make sure to adjust the sweetener if it is sweetened.
Heather says
Thank you so much Sophia. 🙂
veggiesdontbite says
You are so welcome!!