There’s no need to deprive yourself this Halloween season. Embrace your inner child — it’s a celebratory holiday that should be enjoyed! And yes, this includes indulging in some seasonal sweets treats — without guilt. However, rather than load up on store-bought candies, (which are often full of sugar and processed ingredients), why not whip up some healthy homemade Halloween treats? Enter: homemade Halloween protein ball recipes that taste like your favorite Halloween candy bars. Packed with protein and made with wholesome ingredients, these copycat candy bar flavors (including Reeses, Almond Joy’s, Twix, and more), will keep your holiday sweet tooth beyond satisfied!
RELATED: The 22 Healthiest Store-Bought Halloween Candy Options
8 Healthy Protein Ball Recipes That Taste Like Halloween Candy
The most popular traditional candy bars transformed into a delicious and nutritious protein-packed treat.
#1 Chocolate-Covered Creamy PB Protein Balls
If you love Reese’s peanut butter cups, you’ll love these PB protein balls that taste like dessert. They’re easy to make and (beyond) delicious to enjoy! The PB base requires 5 simple and all-natural ingredients, topped with a melted chocolate coating for the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Double or triple the recipe as desired!
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter (or any nut butter of choice with a liquid consistency)
- ⅓ cup vanilla protein powder (option to sub with coconut or oat flour)
- 2-3 tbsp maple syrup (or natural liquid sweetener of choice), optional
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt, optional
Chocolate coating:
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 tsp coconut oil
Directions:
Step #1: In a food processor or large mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, protein powder, maple syrup, vanilla, and sea salt. Mix until well combined, until a cookie batter forms. Chill in the fridge or freezer for 30 minutes.
Step #2: Roll into equal-sized balls (about 1 tbsp).
Step #3: Meanwhile, melt chocolate chips and coconut oil until smooth. Then, dip each ball into the melted chocolate mixture until fully coated.
Step #4: Next, evenly place on a tray or plate lined with parchment paper. Chill in the fridge or freezer to set, until chocolate is fully hardened. Store in the fridge until ready to enjoy!
#2 Monster Cookie Protein Balls
These easy-prep, no-bake protein balls taste like a mix between decadent cookie dough and cookies. Filled with your favorite chocolate-coated candy treats as an alternative to M&M candies — you and your kiddos will love these.
RELATED: How to Make Healthier Halloween Monster Cookies
Ingredients:
- 1 cup drippy cashew butter or peanut butter, unsweetened
- ⅓ cup vanilla protein powder of choice (option to use oats as a sub)
- 2 cups rolled oats (+ 2-3 tbsp as needed)
- 2-3 tbsp raw honey
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- ½ tbsp vanilla extract
- Pinch sea salt
- 2-4 tbsp dairy-free chocolate chips
- 2-4 tbsp M&M candy alternatives
Directions:
Step #1: In a medium mixing bowl, mix the wet ingredients, including drippy nut butter, raw honey, and vanilla extract. Cream together until smooth.
Step #2: Add the dry ingredients, stirring in the oats, protein powder, chia seeds, and sea salt. If the mixture is too wet, add 2-3 tbsp of oats as needed. If too dry, add 1-2 tbsp water as needed.
Step #3: Stir in the chocolate chips and candy, and mix until well combined. Then, chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
Step #4: Roll into balls, (about the size of 1 tbsp). Alternatively, you can use a cookie scoop to form.
Step #5: Once formed, place in an airtight container and store in the fridge until ready to enjoy!
#3 Snickers-Inspired Protein Balls
With notes of sweet caramel, creamy chocolate, and the perfect peanut crunch, these healthier Snickers-inspired balls are the perfect Halloween treat when you’re craving candy. Less sugar, more protein, and no guilt!
Ingredients:
- ½ cup creamy peanut or cashew butter
- 12-14 Medjool dates (pitted and soaked in warm water for 10-15 minutes)
- ½ cup unsalted roasted peanuts
- ¼ cup vanilla protein powder (or 2-3 tbsp oat or almond flour)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
- 1 tsp coconut oil
Directions:
Step #1: In a food processor, combine the pitted Medjool dates, nut butter, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Blend until a sticky dough-like consistency starts to form. Then, add the protein powder and peanuts and pulse a few times until creamy and less sticky.
Step #2: Line a baking sheet or tray with parchment paper, then roll the dough into balls. Once rolled, place in the freezer to firm, for about 60 minutes. Once firm, remove from the freezer.
Step #3: Melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil in the microwave or over the stovetop. Once melted, dip the protein balls in the mixture until well coated. Place back in the freezer to harden, for about 20-30 minutes. Once firm, store in the freezer until ready to serve!
#4 Chocolate Coconut Bounty Balls
If Almond Joys, Bounty Bars, Mound Bars — or really, anything made with coconut and chocolate — were among some of your favorite Halloween candies, you’ll love these chocolate coconut protein balls. They’re naturally sweetened, full of protein, and made with simple and clean ingredients!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (about 12-14) pitted Medjool dates, soaked in warm water for 10-15 minutes
- 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- ½ cup chocolate-flavored Paleo-friendly protein powder (or sub cocoa powder)
- ½ cup almonds
- 2 tbsp cocoa or cacao powder, unsweetened
- 1 tbsp almond butter (or any nut or seed butter of your choice)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
- ¼ cup almonds, to top
Optional chocolate coating:
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- 1 tsp coconut oil
Directions:
Step #1: In a food processor, combine the Medjool dates, cocoa powder, chocolate protein powder, almonds, cocoa powder, almond butter, vanilla, and sea salt. Process into a sticky dough mixture. Then add the shredded coconut and pulse again until well blended.
Step #2: Line a baking sheet or tray with parchment paper, then roll dough into balls. Press one raw almond into the top of each ball and place in the freezer for 30-60 minutes until firm.
Step #3: Meanwhile, melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil in the microwave or over the stovetop. Remove balls from the freezer and dip in the melted chocolate mixture until well coated. Place back in the freezer to harden, for about 20-30 minutes. Once firm, store in the freezer until ready to serve.
#5 Copycat Twix Protein Balls
While these copycat Twix bars require a few extra steps, they’re worth it — trust us! Made with a high-protein almond base, date and almond caramel layer, and dairy-free chocolate coating. Naturally sweetened, plant-based, and no baking required!
Ingredients:
Base Layer:
- 1 cup almond flour
- 2 tbsp vanilla protein powder (or sub almond flour)
- 2-3 tbsp raw honey or pure maple syrup
- 2-3 tbsp coconut oil, melted
- ½ tbsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
Caramel Layer:
- ½ cup Medjool dates (pitted and soaked in warm water for 10 minutes)
- 2 tbsp almond butter
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
Chocolate Coating:
- 1 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
- 1 tsp coconut oil
Directions:
Step #1: To form the base layer, add the almond flour, vanilla protein, raw honey, melted coconut oil, vanilla, and sea salt to a bowl. Mix together until a dough forms. Then, press the batter into a square pan lined with parchment paper and place in the freezer to chill.
Step #2: Meanwhile, make the caramel layer. In a food processor, combine the soaked and pitted Medjool dates, almond butter, coconut oil, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Blend until you achieve a smooth and caramel-like consistency.
Step #3: Remove the base layer from the freezer. Spread the caramel layer evenly on top of the first layer and return it to the freezer to set, about 20-30 minutes.
Step #4: Next, melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil together in the microwave or over the stovetop.
Step #5: Once the base layers have hardened, remove from the freezer. Slice into 1-inch squares, then dip each square into the chocolate mixture until well coated. Place each bar back onto the parchment paper and place back in the freezer to firm. Once chocolate has hardened, remove from the freezer when ready to serve!
#6 Butterfinger Protein Balls
If you love the crunchy, flakey texture and indulgent chocolate-peanut butter taste of traditional Butterfinger candy bars, you’ll love these copycat protein bites. Made with creamy nut butter, vanilla protein, a drizzle of all natural sweetener, and a better-for-you cornflakes cereal alternative. Simple and delicious!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter, unsweetened
- 1 ½ cups cornflakes cereal (such as Nature’s Path)
- 3-4 tbsp raw honey
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
Chocolate coating:
- 1 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
- 1 tsp coconut oil
Directions:
Step #1: Add the cornflakes cereal to a large ziplock bag. Tightly seal, then gently crush the cereal using your fists or a roller.
Step #2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter, honey, cornflakes, and protein powder. Blend into a dough-like consistency, then cover and chill in the fridge or freezer for 30-60 minutes.
Step #3: Once firm, remove from the fridge and shape into balls.
Step #4: Next, melt chocolate chips and coconut oil until smooth. Dip each ball into the melted chocolate mixture until fully coated.
Step #5: Place on a pan lined with parchment paper and chill in the fridge until the chocolate coating has hardened. Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to enjoy.
#7 KitKat Protein Balls
Give us a break — or should we say, bite! These KitKat-inspired protein balls are full of antioxidants, healthy fats, and protein. Plus, they’re naturally sweetened and made with simple wholesome ingredients like rice cakes, cashew butter, and cacao!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of plain rice cakes, crushed
- ½ cup cashew butter (or any nut or seed butter of your choice)
- ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa or cacao powder (or ¼ cup chocolate protein powder)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
Chocolate coating:
- 1 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
- 1 tsp coconut oil
Directions:
Step #1: Add the rice cakes to a large ziplock bag and crush. Once evenly crumbled, add to a large mixing bowl along with the cacao, vanilla, and sea salt.
Step #2: Meanwhile, melt the honey and cashew butter together in the microwave or on the stovetop until well combined and warm (not hot). Then, pour over the dry mixture. Stir well, until a dough consistency forms.
Step #3: Roll (or scoop) the dough into balls and place on a lined baking sheet. Chill in the fridge for 20-30 minutes until firm.
Step #4: Meanwhile, melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil until smooth. Then, remove the protein balls from the fridge and dip each ball in the chocolate mixture until well coated.
Step #5: Place the balls back onto the lined baking sheet. Chill in the fridge for 15-30 minutes until the chocolate coating has hardened. Enjoy immediately or store in the fridge until ready to serve.
#8 Nestle Crunch Protein Balls
Chocolate lovers, these crispy cocoa protein bites will satisfy all your chocolate cravings. Not only are they naturally sweetened, but they’re dairy-free and full of satiating protein and healthy fats, thanks to almond butter and chocolate protein. Enjoy this Halloween season, and all year long!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups unsweetened rice crisp cereal
- ½ cup almond butter (or nut or seed butter of your choice)
- ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa, cacao, or chocolate protein powder
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
Directions:
Step #1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the rice crisp cereal, cocoa or protein powder, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Mix until well combined.
Step #2: Next, melt the almond butter and honey in a microwave-safe bowl or on the stovetop. Once warm, pour the melted mixture over the dry ingredients and mix into a sticky dough.
Step #3: Form into balls, and place on a baking sheet or tray lined with parchment paper. Chill in the fridge for 30-60 minutes until firm and set. Serve and enjoy!
Scare Your Sweet Tooth Away With These Protein-Packed Copycat Candy Bar Recipes
By making your own Halloween treats, you’ll help to balance your blood sugar, avoid sneaky ingredients, and maintain your health and fitness goals. Plus, there’s no depriving yourself here — these recipes taste delicious and indulgent!
