These Aloha Protein Balls are packed with texture, bright flavor, and protein. They’re great for breakfast or an after-workout snack.
I resisted the whole protein ball craze for a long, long time. Then last fall, my dear friend Annmarie gifted me a little stash of her favorite oats and chocolate protein bites. And I was hooked. I loved the texture, the flavor, the easy snackability. Everything about them, basically. You can find that recipe right here.
I hadn’t ventured out to try or make any other protein ball until this past spring, when our family visited a little beach shack on the island of Aruba. The girls and I ordered an “Aloha Ball”, which was so good it had me asking the beach shack owners if they could list the ingredients.
These Aloha Protein Balls are packed with texture, bright flavor, and protein. They’re great for breakfast or an after-workout snack. And a bonus for me is, with every bite, I’m gazing out on the warm turquoise waters of Aruba.
* This is a sponsored post, created in partnership with Princess Cruises.
Aruba.
Oh, how we love thee.
Your white sand beaches, stretching on for miles. Your warm waters, layered with multiple hues of blue. Your endless sky of sunshine. Your friendly, happy people.
On our Panama Canal cruise with Princess Cruises, our family was able to enjoy a beautiful morning on Aruba’s Palm Beach. This was our second visit to this southern Caribbean island, and I definitely hope it’s not our last. It’s really quite heavenly.
This time around, we sought out breakfast at Eduardo’s Beach Shack. Located right on the beach, we found this place to be absolutely everything we had read about online.
The menu was loaded with a wide variety of fresh goodness in the form of juices, smoothies, protein bowls, and protein balls.
Each of us girls promptly ordered a “fully loaded” raw acai bowl.
And then we headed to the water’s edge to enjoy them.
These bowls were filled with a super chilled acai smoothie (SO GOOD!) and topped with a variety of sweet, excellent fruit.
Then we enjoyed playing in the amazing waters of Aruba, soaking up every last bit of that Caribbean beach life, so very different from our Minnesota. There was no wiping off that smile on Tessa’s face!
Before taking a taxi back to the Coral Princess, we shared a delightful “Summer Trimmer” smoothie from Eduardo’s, bursting with fresh strawberry, watermelon, and passionfruit…
Along with an “Aloha Ball”.
Each of us liked it so much, I went back to the beach shack to inquire about the ingredients of the aloha protein balls. I was told “dates, almonds, lemon, flax, and chia”. And when we got back home, I set out to make our own. This is not the exact recipe from Eduardo’s, but we all agree that it’s close enough to quickly bring back some pretty wonderful Aruba memories.
As soon as I nailed this recipe, according to our vacation memories, I promptly delivered a few of these aloha protein balls to my friend Annmarie. I had to repay the kindness from my first protein ball experience. After just one bite, she asked for the recipe.
Besides some of the more “regular” protein ball ingredients – dates, nuts, nut butters, protein powders, etc. – this recipe includes a lovely hint of fresh, bright lemon zest and powdered ginger. I think these two flavors are what really draw me in, adding a special amazingness to this particular protein ball recipe.
Aloha Protein Balls
Ingredients
- 12 Medjool dates, pitted
- 1½ cups shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1 cup slivered roasted almonds
- 1 cup almond meal or almond flour
- ½ cup vanilla protein powder
- ¾ cup salted almond butter
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons ground flax
- 2 teaspoons chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon dried powdered ginger
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon Morton kosher salt
Instructions
- In the bowl of a large food processor, pulse together dates, coconut, slivered almonds, almond meal, and protein powder. Continue to pulse and scrape the bowl as needed, until everything is evenly incorporated. The slivered almonds should be chopped into small bits that will add a little crunch to the finished protein balls.
- Add the remaining ingredients and continue to pulse, scraping down the bowl until everything is incorporated and you reach a desired consistency. The mixture should stick together when pinched. If it doesn't want to pinch together, add water, a tablespoon at a time, until it comes together. The mixture should not be wet or extra sticky.
- Portion out the mixture using a 2" scoop, packed tightly. Roll portions into balls, and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition Information:
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Visit Princess Cruises on their web site. You can also find them on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.
For more of our own personal experiences with Princess Cruises (we also visited Alaska!), visit these posts:
- Fattoush Salad {Panama Canal Cruise Excursions}
- Pineapple Fruit Salad with Honey Vanilla Bean Yogurt Dressing {Costa Rica and Sloth Sanctuary}
- Travel Tips for your Panama Canal Cruise
- 10 Tips for Planning Your Alaska Cruise
- Cheesy Grilled Crab Quesadillas {Ketchikan, Alaska + Misty Fjords National Monument}
- Homemade Limoncello {Alaska: Tracy Arm Fjord + Sawyer Glacier}
- Crab Bisque {Juneau, Alaska + Mendenhall Glacier}
- Lemon Sorbet with Candied Orange Peel {Skagway, Alaska}
Disclaimer: This trip was sponsored by Princess Cruises. Our family was honored to be guests of Princess Cruises on this cruise to the Panama Canal, and we are grateful for the opportunity to share it all with you. Thank you for supporting us and the brands we so carefully choose to work with. All opinions expressed are our own.
First off, awesome snack! I’m always looking for a protein-filled treat to keep me going through the day.
And this looks like the most lovely, relaxing trip. Everyone seems so happy (not surprising because beach time is the best time).
I hate to admit it but I love protein balls. I had (still have) reservations about the culture behind them but the flavor is usually incredible and you’re right, they are the perfect pick me up that can save you from gnawing off your arm if you still have a little while before dinner etc. LOVE this recipe!
Thank you!! The key is always having them made, waiting. So I’m never without!
Oooh, I want these asap!
Brenda, what a great combination. Loves this snack, but really love you and your family! Family trips are the BEST! xo
A morning on a beautiful beach on Aruba with my family, hard to beat. Thanks, Sandy!
What a great way to start the day. Looks like so much fun!
It really was a beautiful morning. The joy on our girls’ faces to spend that morning on the beach. Love.
I love how inspired you get when traveling. So glad I saw these, and can’t wait to make them!
Traveling somewhere new is always inspiring! Thanks, Matt.
So tropical! I love protein balls. I can hardly keep out of them once I make them. Definitely going to have to try this recipe!
They do disappear fast around here, especially with one daughter who loves them as much as I do!
I love the Island vibe! The addition of coconut in these sounds great!
Thanks Chris!
hey girl- these look really good! love the pics! so cool!
Hello Shawnna – thank you!!
Beautiful vacation spot — and a yummy recipe to follow? WIN-WIN! Thanks for sharing.
I LOVE having recipe keepsakes from special places. Thanks, Kelly!
This looks right up my alley!!!
I’m pretty sure it would be. Thanks, Liz!
Aruba looks BEAUTIFUL!! it’s on my list of places I want to visit some day!!
Allison loves to make protein balls to keep in her college apartment – I know she will love this recipe!!
We love Aruba for so many reasons. I highly recommend! I hope Allison likes these protein balls and has a great year at college!
You go on the best trips and always make amazing recipe inspired by them! I love a good protein ball, so I can’t wait to try these!
Such a great trip, indeed. Thanks, Taylor!