There’s a big handful of dark chocolate chips stirred into these fun-to-make, fun-to-eat protein bites, and I think you’re going to love them!

As you can tell from the last five or six recipes, I’ve been having a love affair with dark chocolate chips lately. Does my body need quick-burning carbs? Am I craving the tiny hit of caffeine? Are my hormones out of whack? Or has tossing a bag into my shopping cart simply become a habit?

It could be all or none of those reasons, and I don’t think I really care. I mean, sure, you should watch your overall sugar intake to keep your body’s insulin levels in check. But when you’re mostly eating fresh, unprocessed foods—I’m talking vegetables, fruits, and whole grains—you can afford to have a little fun.

Aside from the chocolate, the best thing about this recipe is that you don’t need to turn on the oven. These bites are no-bakes! And you probably already have all of the ingredients in your pantry. So gather your loved ones (those dark chocolate chips and the kiddos!) and mix up a batch of these now! 

Ingredients

• 1 cup Old-Fashioned Oats
• ½ cup Peanut Butter
• 1/3 cup Mama Love Chocolate Protein
• 1/3 cup Dark Chocolate Chips
• ¼ cup Maple Syrup
• 2 Tablespoons Cocoa Powder

Instructions

Put all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix with a wooden spoon. (Be prepared for an arm workout!) Or place all ingredients in a food processor and blend on high until well mixed. Use a small ice cream scoop to roll the mixture into ping-pong-ball size portions. Or just roll them up with your hands. Store in a covered container in the fridge. Makes about 12 balls; 6 servings. 

Nutrition Facts

Servings: 1 (2 balls)

Calories 248 

 *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.