Lemon Poppy Seed Protein Balls are a bite-sized, citrusy, no-bake treat made with good-for-you ingredients to keep you full while satisfying your sweet tooth! Quick and easy to make, they’re perfect for easy breakfasts, snacks, or desserts.

lemon poppy seed balls on plate with icing and lemon slices

No-Bake Lemon Poppy Seed Protein Balls (With Lemon Drizzle!)

I LOVE a good lemon recipe, like my lemon poppy seed bread and gluten free lemon bars. This year I’m really focusing on hitting my protein goals by incorporating more protein into my diet. So, when I found a couple of leftover lemons in my kitchen, I decided to transform my favorite flavor combination into a protein-rich snack.

With just a handful of simple ingredients, I managed to create soft, chewy bites that are perfectly sweet with bursts of bright citrus flavor in every bite! Refreshing and delicious, they’re quickly becoming a meal prep staple for me and are perfect for taking on-the-go to workout classes or packing for lunch!

lemon poppy seed protein balls ingredients in small bowls

A Few Notes About the Key Ingredients

This is an overview of the main ingredients in this recipe. See the recipe card for full ingredients and instructions, below.

Unflavored Protein Powder: I prefer to use unflavored protein powder so that the lemon flavor really shines through. A vanilla flavored powder would also work well if that’s what you have on hand. If you use flavored and sweetened protein powder you might need to lower the amount of maple syrup you use to ensure the balls aren’t too sweet.
Blanched Almond Flour: I like to use blanched almond flour for this recipe because it has a fine texture that prevents the lemon bites from tasting grainy. If you can’t use almond flour, you can substitute oat flour instead.
Poppy Seeds: these add a subtle crunch and a slightly nutty taste, creating the signature lemon poppy seed flavor we want! I typically find them in the baking or spice aisle of my local grocery store.
Creamy Cashew Butter: I like to use a creamy store-bought cashew butter with just one or two ingredients or make a batch of my homemade cashew butter. You can swap the cashew butter for almond butter if you prefer! I wouldn’t use peanut butter for these because it has such a strong flavor and will overpower the lemon.
Lemon: speaking of lemon, we’re using both lemon juice and lemon zest to infuse the balls with that bright, citrusy flavor.
Maple Syrup: this gives the balls the perfect touch of sweetness and acts as a “glue,” helping them hold their shape. Substitute honey if that’s what you prefer.

protein ball energy bites in mixing bowl

How to Make Lemon Poppy Seed Protein Balls (in 3 Steps!)

Combine the ingredients. Whisk the dry ingredients in a bowl until well combined. Next, add the wet ingredients, and stir until a smooth dough forms.
Chill and portion. Transfer the dough to the fridge to set. Then, portion it into bite-sized balls. I like to use a 2-tablespoon-sized cookie dough scoop for equal-sized bites. It also helps keep my hands clean!
Add the drizzle. Whisk the drizzle ingredients in a bowl. Dip, dunk, or drizzle the mixture over the balls, and let it set. Enjoy!

lemon poppy seed protein balls on sheet pan

My Top Tips & Tricks

Be sure to use an all-natural, smooth, creamy, and drippy cashew butter for the best results. A nut butter that has the texture of Jif or Skippy won’t work as well in this recipe. The dough will be too dry, and the balls may come out crumbly.
If you happened to add just a bit too much of the dry ingredients, and the dough seems a bit too dry, try adding a tablespoon of extra cashew butter! Or, if the dough is too wet, add extra almond flour until it holds its shape.
Let the dough chill a bit before scooping and rolling. I find this makes it much easier to form the “dough” into balls.

How to Store and Freeze

Once the powdered sugar topping is set, transfer leftover lemon poppy seed protein bites to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 1 week. You can also freeze this recipe for up to 3 months!

To freeze, place the balls on a parchment paper-lined sheet pan, and freeze for about 30 minutes or until they harden. Next, transfer the balls to a freezer-safe storage bag or airtight container to store. When you’re ready to eat, thaw the bites at room temperature for a few minutes, and enjoy.

lemon poppy seed energy bites on plate with a drizzle of icing

Like This Recipe? Then You’ll Love These!

I hope you give these Lemon Poppy Seed Protein Balls a try! They’re sweet, citrusy, and so easy to make! If you do give this recipe a try, let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @allthehealthythings on INSTAGRAM. Your reviews and ratings help support All the Healthy Things and make it possible for me to continue to create the recipes you trust and love.

Lemon Poppy Seed Protein Balls (No-Bake!)

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews

Author: Ashlea Carver

Print Recipe

Description

Ingredients

Units Scale

1/2 cup unflavored protein powder
1/2 cup blanched almond flour
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons poppy seeds
1 cup creamy cashew butter
juice and zest of 1 small lemon
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
flaky sea salt, for topping

For the Lemon Drizzle

1/4 cup powdered sugar
1–2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the protein powder, almond flour, salt, and poppy seeds until well combined.
Next, add the cashew butter, lemon juice, lemon zest, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to the mixing bowl and stir until well combined and a dough forms.
Let the cookie dough chill in the fridge for 15 minutes and the use a 2 tablespoon size cookie dough scoop to scoop them into balls. You should have around 20 balls.
Optional Lemon Drizzle: Whisk together the powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice (add more if needed), and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over the balls to finish.