These paleo-friendly Almond Joy Protein Bites are like the candy you love – only better – when you want a sweet bite without the sugar crash.
This post was created in partnership with our friends at Primal Kitchen.
Less sugar. More protein.
The perfect little protein bite to curb your craving for something just a little sweet and a great option for when you just need a little something to get you by until the next meal. These Almond Joy Protein Bites include both quality protein and healthy fats, two macronutrients that help with satiety (the feeling of fullness). With only 2 tablespoons of maple syrup for a touch of sweetness they come in at just 5 grams of sugar per bite and taste very similar to the popular candy bar we know of, but with much less sugar and more protein. They also make for a great lunchbox addition, afternoon snacks for kids’, pre-workout fuel or even a tasty food gift for new moms.
Just a few ingredients including coconut flakes, collagen, almond butter and dark chocolate come together to create these paleo-friendly Almond Joy Protein Bites.
I’m all about keeping it simple because I know that recipes with a long ingredient list and multiple steps can be overwhelming. You’ll be glad to hear that all you need to make these Almond Joy Protein Bites is a mixing bowl, a mixing utensil, your hands, eight simple ingredients and about 15 minutes of your time. When making these bites, you may need to add a little water for the dough to come together. This depends on the consistency of almond butter you use as that can vary from smooth and runny to pretty thick. I prefer using an almond butter that is more on the runny side.
This post may contain affiliate links that will not change your price but will share some commission.
Paleo Almond Joy Protein Bites are perfect for meal prep and freezer-friendly, too.
Almost every meal prep I complete includes some sort of energy bite, protein bite or granola bar. Both my husband and I like to have them on hand for an easy grab-and-go option. And because I’m exclusively breastfeeding, these bites also make for a great nursing snack and come with a much-needed boost of protein and healthy fats. Additionally, Almond Joy Protein Bites are freezer-friendly so I often double the recipe and stash some away in the freezer. You never can have too many healthy snack options on hand!
A nice boost of protein from our favorite Primal Kitchen Collagen Peptides.
It’s fun to find new ways to sneak collagen into my diet. Exactly why we are excited to be partnered with Primal Kitchen to bring to you a series of grab-and-go recipes that include a boost of protein from collagen. Why collagen? Collagen is one of the most abundant proteins in the body, and Primal Kitchen’s collagen contains only high-quality bovine collagen peptides, with 10g of type 1 and 3 collagen to support hair, skin, and nails.
These Almond Joy Protein Bites are one of many ways you can enjoy the benefits of Primal Kitchen Collagen Peptides. Feel free to substitute any of your favorite Primal Kitchen Collagens – so many flavors.
For an incredible deal on our favorite Primal Kitchen Foods products, click here.
Drizzle them with chocolate and sprinkle with unsweetened coconut flakes of you wish.
Want to save this recipe?
Enter your email below & we’ll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you’ll get great new recipes from us every week!
Paleo Almond Joy Protein Bites
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup shredded coconut, unsweetened
- ⅔ cup almond flour
- ½ cup smooth or crunchy almond butter (or nut butter of choice)
- 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
- ½ tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 2 scoops of Primal Kitchen Unflavored Collagen Peptides (or collagen flavor of choice)
- ¼ cup chopped almonds
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips or roughly chopped chocolate bar (dairy-free, if needed)
- 1 tsp. water (more if needed)
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine all of the ingredients except for the water.
- Mix well with hands until the dough comes together.
- Add water ½ tsp. at a time if needed in order for the dough to come together. This will depend on the consistency of the almond butter used.
- Once the dough comes together, roll into 16 small balls.
- Optional step – Drizzle each ball with a little melted chocolate and sprinkle with coconut flakes.
Last Step! Please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive so we can continue providing free recipes and high-quality content for you.
Nutrition Information
- Serving Size: 1 Bite
- Calories: 136
- Fat: 9g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Carbohydrate: 8g
- (Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 5g)
- Protein: 7g
Dietary
Pin it now and make it later!
This post was made possible by our friends at Primal Kitchen. Although we received compensation for this post, the opinions expressed here are – as always – 100% our own. Thank you for supporting the great companies we work with thereby allowing us to continue creating great recipes and content for you
Photo Credit: The photos in this blog post were taken by Jess of Plays Well with Butter.
I am going to make these very soon but before that, is there a substitute for coconut flakes in this recipe? I am not very fond of the texture of coconut flakes and just can’t do with it. Also, what is the purpose of coconut flakes? Thank you so very much.
Hi Tina! This recipe calls for quite a bit of coconut flakes so I would suggest a different recipe to try. Here is one that does not call for coconut: https://therealfooddietitians.com/4-ingredient-almond-butter-bites/
I made the recipe as is, the original one…. AND… it’s is duh-uh-licious (very delicious I mean). I didn’t mind the coconut at all because I got the very fine shredded one. And the best thing of all is that my daughter who has sworn off anything homemade gobbled GOBBLED them up. I am so happy right now, I have tears in my eyes. I love you guys for sharing this recipe. It took me 15 mins including cleanup. This is going to be passed around all over my family. Thank you thank you thank you
Gotta go, post it on my Insta!!!!
YES! This is so great to hear. And thanks for sharing the photo with us on IG! 🙂
Can I omit the collagen?
Or is there a substitute?
You can omit the collagen or use your preferred protein powder in place of it.
I just made these and they’re great. Added some dried cherries into the mix. What is the best way to store these?
I love the addition of dried cherries! You can store them in the fridge for up to 1 week or freeze them for longer storage.
Can you tell more about freezing? Going to a cabin/hiking trip at the end of the month and wondering if I could make them a couple weeks in advance…
Also, thanks for the awesome promo code with Primal Kitchen! Love the PB collagen in smoothies. Thinking about using it with this recipe, too…
Absolutely! You can definitely freezer these. Just freeze them as you would a cookie! Perfect hiking food. And you’re so welcome 🙂
This looks great! Do you think it might work with unflavored egg white powder vs collagen? Trying to use what I have … TY
Hi Cathy,
I think that would work just fine. You may or may not need to add extra water depending on the texture/consistency of the ‘dough’ after adding the egg white protein.
These are so good! I have made several batches over the past few weeks and am so glad I did. Was able to send a batch to my daughter who is a NY RN and in the throes of battling COVID19. She loves them too! Thank you 😊
Awesome, Nicole! Love hearing this. Please tell your daughter…thank you! Thank you so much!
These look delicious! Just saw them on instagram.
I have everything except the collagen. I do have beef gelatin, though. Do you think gelatin might work in place of the collagen, maybe bloomed?
Hi Gabrielle,
Gelatin should work, just sprinkle it in a little at a time as you mix to keep it from clumping.