These Gingerbread Protein Balls are simple and nutritious and are perfect for a quick snack, workout fuel, or dessert!

*Originally posted 5/2014. Updated 10/2023*
Hi Friends!
These Gingerbread Protein Balls are set to become your new favorite winter snack. There’s something so cozy about gingerbread and these snack balls will remind you of the best gingerbread cookie dough!
This recipe was originally shared on my blog several years ago by my friend Deryn from Running on Real Food and it’s one that I find myself coming back to every year or two in the winter months.
Healthy Gingerbread Energy Bites
These gingerbread energy bites are simple and delicious but also packed with nutrients! The best kind of snack if I do say so myself.
The molasses and ground ginger give them that classic gingerbread flavor and the cashew butter, protein powder and ground flax add some fiber, protein and healthy fats. They taste just like gingerbread cookie dough!
Gingerbread Protein Bites Ingredients
These protein bites require just a few ingredients so let’s review what you need:
- Cashew butter – I like cashew butter for it’s mild flavor but you could also try these with almond butter or even peanut butter although the flavor profile might change a bit.
- Protein powder – I use unflavored unsweetened Whey Protein Isolate from Promix but you could also make these with any vanilla protein powder.
- Ground flax – this adds some fiber and healthy fats without changing the flavor.
- Molasses – for that classic gingerbread flavor
- Ground ginger
- Cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- Optional toppings to roll in – chopped pecans or walnuts, shredded coconut, mini chocolate chips
How To Make Gingerbread Protein Balls
Making these energy balls could not be easier.
Just put all the ingredients in a bowl and stir until well combined.
Then use a Tablespoon to scoop, roll in to balls and roll in desired toppings.

No Bake Gingerbread Energy Balls Recipe
Here’s how you make them:
PrintGingerbread Protein Balls
These no-bake gingerbread energy balls are the perfect way to enjoy your favorite gingerbread flavors as a healthy snack, workout fuel or dessert!
- Yield: 12 bites 1x
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup cashew butter (you could try subbing almond butter)
- 1/3 cup protein powder (unflavored or vanilla)
- 1/4 cup ground flax
- 3 Tbsp molasses
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- Optional Coatings: finely chopped pecans, shredded coconut, mini chocolate chips, etc
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix until it forms a dough.
- Use a tablespoon to scoop and roll into balls. Then roll in your choice of coating
- Store in the fridge.
Gingerbread Energy Balls FAQs
Substitute for cashew butter?
If you don’t have or don’t want to use cashew butter, I would try almond butter. Cashew butter has a mild flavor so it doesn’t overwhelm the other gingerbread flavors. Almond butter and peanut butter have slightly stronger flavors but could still be used.
How to store healthy gingerbread energy bites?
These energy bites are best stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to week.
Substitute for protein powder in energy bites?
This recipe in particular uses protein powder. You could try substituting something like oat flour or almond flour, but if you really want a recipe without protein powder, here are 15 Kid-Friendly Protein Energy Balls Without Protein Powder.
Other energy bite flavors?
If gingerbread is not your top choice, here are a few other energy bites to try:
- Lemon Energy Balls
- Pumpkin Energy Balls
- My Go-To Energy Ball Recipe
- No Bake Chocolate Peppermint Bites

Let’s chat:
What your favorite flavor combo for a no-bake snack?
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–
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Oh baby! I am definitely going to adopt some sort of formulation like this, which includes the vega, cinnamon, flax, etc – YUM! 🙂 I love these flavors too!
yum! my favorite flavor has to be birthday cake! 🙂
I really need to try cashew butter! These gingerbread protein balls looks so good!
I LOVE cashew butter!! And I am a big fan of ginger so these look fantastic! My favourite energy combo is anything with cashews and cinnamon – so good!
I’m all about chocolate & pb in my no bake protein balls but these sound soooo good 🙂
This looks really interesting – I have never had a no-bake protein ball and don’t recognise some of the ingredients, off to check out this ladies blog now.
Ooh I love molasses! Beautiful photographs, too. 🙂
Oooh love gingerbread flavor. I also like anything with peanut butter!
mmm sounds great! we love gingerbread flavors
Ahhh thank you Deryn! I love bites of all kind but gingerbread?? Genius. Pinning 🙂
I LOVE gingerbread! These sound amazing!
Right up my ally. Ginger is one of my favorite spices!
These sound SO awesome! I LOVE molasses AND Vega One, so these would be perfect for me. Gotta love having convenient snacks on hand, too 🙂
These look amazing! I can’t wait to try them.
oh my gosh! I love gingerbread everything!! These look sooo yummy!
What a good idea, this would make a super yummy dessert, and I love that thy’re full of protein. I make energy balls pretty often, I’ll have to put this on the list to try!
I always love anything peanut butter or chocolate flavor. Easy enough.
I am going to have to try these! I am pinning for later!
These sound fabulous! I am all about anything ginger!
These sound amazing! Thank you for sharing them with us!!!
WOW! I made these immediately after I saw them except that I don’t have cashew butter and I used peanut free Nuttzo instead. They are sweet and delicious!
For non-bake snacks, pretty much anything that involves a lot of nut butters.
yay! glad you loved them!
These look fantastic!! must try 🙂
I haven’t tried protein balls yet. These look delicious and your pictures are amazing too!
Yum! Pinned! Thanks Deryn!
Thanks for all the comments everyone!! And thanks again for having me today, Lindsay 🙂 Hope you all enjoy the recipe!
My go-to recently has been a Cinnamon Toast Rice Cake, topped with almond butter and sprinkled with chia seeds. Yummy!!
that sounds delicious!
GINGERBREAD!!!!!!!!!!!!! PROTEIN BALLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
These look delicious!
Looks delicious!
Those sound amazing!!
I really like the simplicity of this recipe! Quick, delicious and give you an energy boost! Gingerbread is definitely my favourite choice of flavour for these protein balls 😀
Can’t wait to try these. Is there a place I can find out the nutritional info on these per serving?
you could put the recipe into my fitness pal!
How many grams of protein, fat and sugar per ball? Thanks 🙂
I’m not sure. You could put the recipe into my fitness pal to find out!
Move over pumpkin… It’s time for the real MVP – gingerbread!! Totally trying these. They look amazing!
I love gingerbread, its my favorite holiday treat! These are perfect for a quick post workout snack 🙂
Homemade snack balls are my favorite and I love this recipe with the holiday spin.
ooo yum!! Perfect for after my winter workouts 🙂
These look amazing; can’t wait to try them. One question…do you use freshly ground ginger or the dry ginger “powder?”
the powder!