Paleo No-Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles
Even though I have prioritized a healthy diet since going mostly paleo several years ago, I still enjoy a sweet treat from time to time. These paleo chocolate chip cookie dough balls are made with paleo ingredients and lots of healthy fats. This is the perfect afternoon snack or for when that sweet tooth hits. If you are looking to save time in the kitchen with a healthy dessert made with minimal ingredients, this almond flour cookie dough recipe is sure to become a favorite dessert in your household!
Meal Prep
I like to have a couple of healthier dessert options on hand, so these are a regular in my meal prep rotation. I make a double batch of these at the beginning of the week. I refrigerate half to have on hand for a healthier option when those sweet cravings strike. I put the other half in the freezer, so they are ready to go the following week. Anytime you can save time by batch-prepping ingredients is a total win!
Clean Ingredients
The best part about this delicious recipe is that it transforms just a few simple ingredients into the most delicious, paleo treat. With the addition of the protein powder, this not only might become a favorite treat but is also an easy way to help hit your protein goals for the day. This paleo recipe provides a way for all cookie dough lovers to enjoy a sweet treat with clean and simple ingredients.
Edible Cookie Dough
One of my favorite things about this recipe is that you can eat the raw dough without any baking. Unlike traditional cookie dough made with raw eggs, this no bake cookie dough is made with ingredients that are safe to eat raw. The best way to enjoy this raw cookie dough is straight from the bowl. If you’re looking for traditional, baked cookies, be sure to check out my gluten-free chocolate chip recipe.
Protein Powder
Years before entering the world of affiliate sales, my family and I used Amy Myers brand of protein powder for all of our smoothies and protein powder needs. This protein powder is dairy-free, gluten-free, and sugar-free. It is sourced from grass-fed beef that is non-GMO and hormone and antibiotic-free. Each serving has 21 grams of high-quality collagen protein and includes essential and collagen-specific amino acids.
Simple Ingredients
- Almond Flour – This recipe uses almond flour, not almond meal which includes the almond skins making it a coarser texture.
- Vanilla Protein Powder – For this recipe, I used Amy Myer’s vanilla protein powder.
- Almond Butter – I used almond butter for this recipe, but you can use any nut butter or peanut butter that you would like. Creamy cashew butter would make a great substitution. The key here is using “drippy” peanut butter. If you’re unsure if your nut butter is the right texture, I’ve included a few tips and tricks in the trouble-shooting section below to ensure you get the right texture every time.
- Coconut Oil – I used organic coconut oil to impart that subtle coconut flavor. Avocado oil would also work. You can also use any dairy-free milk of your choice like almond milk or coconut milk.
- Maple Syrup – You can also use honey or agave syrup.
- Vanilla Extract – When it comes to vanilla extract, it’s always important to use a high-quality vanilla extract. I have found that the absolute best tasting vanilla extract comes straight from Mexico. However, so many of the extracts that come from Mexico are sold in plastic bottles. I have been using this Mexican vanilla extract for several years and it comes in a glass bottle.
- Chocolate Chips – Several brands, like Hu, now make paleo chocolate chips that are sweetened with dates or coconut sugar. Those are your best options to keep this recipe truly paleo. If you go that route, you can put the larger chocolate chips in a food processor and give it a few, quick pulses to get your desired size of chocolate pieces to later roll into tablespoon-sized cookie dough balls. I used Enjoy Life chocolate chips because they are gluten-free and dairy-free and have great, mini chocolate chips. You can use any semi-sweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips that you prefer!
Two varieties
There are three delicious ways that you can prepare this recipe.
- Undipped – The first time I had these paleo chocolate chip cookie dough bites was straight from the bowl, and it was fabulous! This is the best way to prepare these protein balls if you’re in a time crunch. It can be made using one bowl and cleanup is so easy.
- Dipped – The second time I had these cookie dough balls, I wanted to elevate them even more to be more like vegan cookie dough truffles. I just dipped the cookie dough balls into melted chocolate, and let me tell you they are amazing!
- Chocolate Bars – Another fun option is to use this cookie dough to make chocolate bars. Press into a greased 8×8 plan lined with parchment paper and set in the refrigerator or freezer until firm. Remove from the pan using the parchment paper as “handles”. Using a sharp knife, cut into bars or squares that are your desired size. Dip into melted chocolate to make these chocolate-covered bars.
You can prepare this cookie dough as balls, chocolate-covered balls, or chocolate-covered bars. Or, if you’re making a double batch on your meal prep day, make one batch as undipped balls and the second batch dipped. Both are super delicious and you can’t go wrong either way.
Troubleshooting Tips
Dry dough – Your dough might be too dry if the nut butter you choose is not “drippy” or “oily” enough. If that’s the case, just add one tsp of coconut oil at a time until the desired consistency is achieved. You will know when you have the right consistency when the dough sticks together when formed into a ball.
Wet dough – If the dough is too wet to hold together, just add a tablespoon of almond flour at a time until the dough sticks together to form balls.
Storage Instructions
Here are two storage options for the cookie dough balls. For the best results, allow them to come to room temperature before eating.
- Refrigerator – Store cookie dough bites in a Ziplock bag or airtight container. These cookie dough balls will keep fresh for about 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
- Freezer – Place each of the cookie dough balls (with or without a chocolate coating) on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Set in the freezer for 24 hours. Remove and quickly place in a Ziplock bag, and then return to the freezer. Alternatively, you can wrap the cookie dough balls in parchment paper and place them in a Ziplock bag. These cookie dough balls will keep fresh for about 2-3 months in the freezer.
Paleo No-Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles
Ingredients
Paleo Cookie Dough Bites
- 2/3 cup drippy almond butter
- 2 tbsp coconut oil melted
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/4 cups almond flour
- 1/4 cup Amy Myers vanilla protein powder
- 2/3 cup chocolate chips
Chocolate Coating (Optional)
- 1-12 ounce bag of chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, start by adding the wet ingredients: almond butter, coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir until combined.
- Next, add the dry ingredients: almond flour, protein powder, and chocolate chips. Stir until combined.
- Using a small cookie scoop or tablespoon, spoon out the mixture and then use your hands to roll into balls.
- Set each ball on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate or freeze until firm.
- Optional: Melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil in the microwave or using a double boiler. Once the chocolate has melted, individually drop the cookie dough balls into the melted chocolate. Use a fork or slotted spoon to rotate to fully coat and then remove, shaking the excess chocolate back off into the bowl below. Place back on a parchment paper to set. Once finished, put chocolate-covered protein balls in the refrigerator or freezer for the chocolate to set.
