Ferrero Rocher Protein Balls (Vegan Gluten-Free)

These Ferrero Rocher Protein Balls taste just like the best chocolate hazelnut truffles in protein ball form. They are vegan, gluten-free and have a crunchy dark chocolate and hazelnut shell.

There is something so delicious about chocolate and hazelnuts together and Ferrero Rocher chocolate truffles have always been a favourite of mine. After making my Ferrero Rocher Cake Balls, I knew I had to make another chocolate-hazelnut truffle combination and these have it all. They are so quick and easy to make with wholesome ingredients, great for snacking, desserts and on-the-go.

Why will I love these protein balls?

These chocolate hazelnut balls are delicious, they are:

• Rich, chocolatey, nutty and moreish
• Packed with protein
• Made with wholesome ingredients
• Naturally vegan and gluten-free
• Easily nut-free
• A hidden hazelnut in the middle
• Coated with a dark chocolate hazelnut shell
• Great for meal prep
• A delicious on the go snack or dessert

If you already love the sound of these snacks then skip ahead to the recipe card below. Or, first let’s discuss the recipe in more detail.

What ingredients do I need?

We need 9 basic ingredients for these snacks:

• Hazelnuts: there are three types of hazelnuts for the recipe. Some are blitzed to a finer texture for the energy ball mix, some are left whole for inside the balls and thirdly, some are chopped small for the chocolate shell. I prefer to use the skin-off hazelnuts for this recipe.
• Smooth hazelnut butter: the runny, smooth hazelnut butter provides the best texture for these balls. I love the one from KoRo (Nourishing5 is my discount code for money off) and it’s so delicious. If make these nut-free or with other nuts, use cashew, almond or peanut butter or use runny tahini or sunflower seed butter.
• Coconut oil: this helps for texture when the balls chill in the fridge.
• Coconut yoghurt: thus adds a rich, creamy texture to the balls that mean they melt in the mouth.
• Maple syrup: for a little sweetness. You can use other syrups like agave or vegan honey.
• Cocoa powder: to make the energy ball mix really chocolatey. You can use raw cocoa or cacao powder here.
• Vegan chocolate protein powder: I love the rocky horror road flavour of protein from Macromike which is a Halloween special but also the deluxe chocolate or chocolate hazelnut flavours are perfect here.
• Salt: for flavour.
• Dark chocolate: for coating the balls in. You can use your favourite dark chocolate flavour here or keep to a rich plain bar.

How do I make these snacks?

To make these energy balls:

• Prepare all the hazelnuts: blitz some, keep some whole and chop some small.
• Stir together the wet ingredients: for the balls till smooth.
• Stir in all the dry ingredients: and bring the mix to a sticky dough.
• Divide the dough into 14 pieces: of equal size and weight.
• Roll each into a ball and make an indent with your thumb: place a whole hazelnut inside.
• Pinch the edges together and shape into a ball: and chill in the fridge for 20 minutes to firm up.
• Melt the chocolate and coconut oil: and pour into a bowl or glass.
• Coat each ball in chocolate: allowing the excess to drip off.
• Roll each chocolate ball in the crushed hazelnuts: to coat evenly.
• Chill the balls until ready to eat: and enjoy.

How long will these last?

These no bake energy balls will keep for up to 1 week in the fridge in a sealed container or for up to 1 month in the freezer. Allow to defrost at room temperature before eating them.

Are these gluten-free and nut-free?

Yes, these are gluten-free, just read any labels where necessary. To make these nut-free, they will no longer be Ferrero Rocher flavoured, but they will still be delicious. Swap the ground hazelnuts for ground sunflower seeds or use oat flour, swap the hazelnut butter for tahini or sunflower seed butter and skip the hazelnut in the middle. Check that your chocolate is nut-free, and roll the balls in crushed seeds.

What else can I make?

I hope you are going to love these Ferrero Rocher Protein Balls and for more ideas, how about my:

• Funfetti Protein Cookie Dough Balls
• Chocolate Truffle Bliss Balls
• Chocolate Salted Caramel Cake Balls
• Tahini Fig and Chocolate Bliss Balls
• Ferrero Rocher Cake Balls

I look forward to what you think of these Ferrero Rocher Protein Balls so please let me know in the comments below and leave a star review above. If you do make these snacks, I’d love to see them so please tag me, I’m @nourishing.amy on Instagram and use the hashtag #nourishingamy. I’m also on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest  – please say hello!

With Ferrero Rocher balls of love x