Sunflower Seed Protein Balls
Today I have an awesome nut-free and gluten-free muscle recovery protein ball snack to share with you all. It’s made with sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter, so folks with nut allergies can enjoy them. And you can take them to school without fear!
Table of contents
Why We Love This Recipe For Sunflower Seed Balls
These sunflower butter protein balls are super simple to make, easy to bring on the go, and a great source of protein and carbs. I find that most protein ball recipes contain peanut butter or almond butter, so I wanted to create a recipe that was accessible to all.
Since nut allergies are so prevalent these days (I mean, hello moms! Raise your hands if your kids class is nut-free!), I thought an alternative healthy nut-free snack would be perfect for Healthy Seasonal. Because we can also never have enough healthy snacks!
Ingredients For This Recipe
Banana
Banana is a great binding ingredient that adds both flavor and fiber. It’s also perfect because who doesn’t always have ripe banana or two laying around the house!
Sunflower seed butter
As mentioned above, I chose sunflower seed butter so that I could make a nut-free protein ball recipe. It also has very similar properties to peanut butter, and tastes amazing. It’s very creamy, and has a very mild flavor.
Unflavored whey protein powder
I love adding protein powders to my protein snack recipes just because it’s a great way to add that extra protein. Sunflower seed butter only has a bout 2-3 grams of protein per 1 tablespoon serving, so to really amp it up, I like to add a few scoops of unflavored whey protein.
Other Ingredients
- ¼ cup honey or pure maple syrup, dark or amber
- 3 tablespoons coconut flour
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch salt
- ½ cup toasted unsalted sunflower seeds
- ½ cup dried cranberries, preferably fruit juice sweetened
(Hint: if you’re feeling extra fancy, you could always add a little bit of chopped up dark chocolate.
Step By Step Instructions To Make These Sunflower Balls
Step 1: Combine & Mix
Combine the banana, sun butter and honey (or maple syrup) in a food processor fitted with a steel blade attachment. Mix the ingredients together until well combined. Add the whey, coconut flour, cinnamon and salt and process until it forms a dense paste. Add the sunflower seeds and cranberries and pulse until just incorporated.
Step 2: Assemble
Roll the mixture into 24 balls, about 1 ½ tablespoons each. Freeze in a re-sealable bag or store in an airtight container in the fridge.
FAQs and Expert Tips
Freeze them in a re-sealable bag or container for up to 1 month. Dethaw them at room temperature before eating.
Yes, since protein balls are a combination of healthy fats and energy, protein, and carbs (from nuts, seeds, and fruit), they will defiantly give you an energy boost.
Since protein balls are a good source of healthy fats and protein, they are technically healthy. However, if you’re watching your calories intake, be weary that they are not a low calorie food.
Alternative Protein Snack Recipes
- Vegan Dark Chocolate Walnut Bites they’re super simple and healthy snack and will satisfy your chocolate cravings in only 15 minutes!
- This Vanilla Green Protein Smoothie is one of my favorite post gym snacks.
- Paleo Energy Balls are also a big hit in my house.
- These Coconut Apricot Fig Bites from Lindsay are so easy to make.
At Healthy Seasonal Recipes, we specialize in cooking with fresh veggies and creating weeknight meals. Sign up HERE to get more produce-forward dinner ideas for FREE! If you make this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review. I would love to hear what you thought! Happy Cooking! ~Katie
PrintSunflower Seed Protein Balls
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 24 balls 1x
Description
Gluten free and nut free whey protein balls with sunflower seeds, bananas and dried cranberries.
Ingredients
- 1 very ripe banana, mashed
- 1/2 cup sunflower seed butter, such as sunbutter preferably organic
- 1/4 cup honey or pure maple syrup, dark or amber
- 4 scoops unflavored whey protein powder
- 3 tablespoons coconut flour
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch salt
- 1/2 cup toasted unsalted sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, preferably fruit juice sweetened
Instructions
- Combine banana, sun butter and honey or maple in a food processor fitted with a steel blade attachment. Process to combine. Add whey, coconut flour, cinnamon and salt and process until it forms a dense paste. Add sunflower seeds and cranberries and pulse until incorporated. Roll into 24 balls, about 1 ½ tablespoons each. Freeze in a re-sealable bag to 1 month. Defrost at room temperature before eating.
Notes
Freezing:
Freeze them in a re-sealable bag or container for up to 1 month. Dethaw them at room temperature before eating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: No cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 98
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 35 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 5 g
Disclosure: I was not compensated by Cabot Creamery Cooperative for this post or to be on the Cabot Fit Team. I received a free sample of the Whey protein from Cabot. All opinions expressed here are my own.
This looks so good! What a great way to keep a healthy snack on hand!
I never expected we can make a protein ball using sunflower seeds. This looks gorgeous by the way.
Thanks for sharing this deliiiicious and healthy snack! most of the recipes are with nut butters indeed and great to have an alternative!
This recipe is fantastic. They were tasty, easy to make, and I could snack on them all day!
I love energy balls and these sunflower seed ones were delicious.
These flavours are so delicious and they are so pretty too. Love the addition of the sunflower seeds.
How long do these last in a sealed container?
You can freeze them in a sealed container for a month. Or store them in the fridge for 4 days.
I like the flavor, but are to soft and runny to stay in a ball.
I’m not sure why that would happen, but I am happy to help get to the bottom of it, and to figure out how to improve the texture. Did you make any substitutions? I am also wondering if the sunbutter was stirred before you measured it out of the jar.
Omfg – drool all over.
Thanks Kimberly. Glad to know a protein ball can inspire such revere!
Yum, I’ve been trying to figure out a way to make a banana-based protein ball… just pinned these, thanks for sharing!
The banana really made these all work with less added sugar. I was really surprised how well it worked. Thank you for visiting Cassie!
Hi, which protein powder is used in this recipe? I’m currently using icon nutrition but want one that is gluten free. Thank you. Kevin.
I used the Cabot unflavored whey.
Unsalted Sunflower seeds are my all time favorite snacks and it’s really nice to see a recipe with them in it. I’m training these days to run my first 5K this summer and find your marathon training story to be so inspiring.
Thank you Angela. I hope you enjoy these protein balls!
I saw pictures of you teaching BodyPump classes on Instagram and thought Wow..and now I’m even more blown away by those arms! I want to attend your class! I’ve been doing a lot of yoga lately and am considering going through the yoga instructor training course once the semester is over. My right side is def stronger than my left. Perhaps I need a gyrotonic device..but then again, my exercise route in is not so intense as yours. I’ve been spending a lot of time on the road so having these protein-packed snacks on hand may help with my road rage ;).
Thank you Min. Yoga is one of the elements I really need to add into my routine. I think everyone agrees with that, it is just making the time for it at this point. I think you would be an inspirational teacher. If only we lived near each other we could attend each others classes. 🙂 The gyrotonics device is really cool. It is so relaxing for sore and tired and overworked muscles, and really gets weak ones engaged. You with road rage? That idea cracks me up!!! I don’t think it is possible.
First up, I could never think you are dorky… Pandora station zone out or not. You’re such an inspiration Katie… seriously.
Love these protein balls!! I’m now looking for more and more ways to use whey, specifically for the reasons you detail… b/c it is such a great recovery ingredient.
One question – is the analysis per ball or a serving? And if so, did I overlook the # in a serving?
Ha ha, Regan. Thank you. The nutrition analysis is for one ball. I have been having one or two for a serving depending on my workout.
look at those BICEPS!!!! holy cow Katie you are looking phenom!! that BodyPump is def doing wonders, keep it up girrrl!
anddd I love this recipe! I recently started adding sunflower seeds to pastas and salads for an extra hit of healthy fats + protein and I can’t get enough! these are right up my alley
Thanks Christine! Gotta love the results from Pump! 😉 I love sunflower seeds too, especially as a nut-free sub and YES on salads totally yummy.