Introducing, your new favorite healthy snack. My Samoa Cookie Protein Bites are loaded with protein, healthy fats, and fiber to keep you full all day, while tasting like the delicious Samoa Cookies that you know and love (you know which ones!) This recipe yields 8-12 bites that come together in a matter of minutes, so you can have a delicious, healthy snack ready for you any time!
It’s almost my favorite time of year – and no, I don’t mean Valentine’s Day. Friends, Girl Scout Cookie season is right around the corner, and I am SO ready! While I wasn’t a Girl Scout growing up, I always looked forward to getting a few boxes of cookies each year, and even now, it’s still something that brings me joy. Are they healthy? No. But are they delicious, comforting, and nostalgic? YES. Which is why I fully believe that a few Girl Scout Cookies, in moderation, is never a bad thing!
And in case you didn’t guess it from the title of this post, my favorite Girl Scout cookies are hands-down Samoas. I guess they’re called Caramel De-Lites now, but in my mind, they will forever and always be Samoas. I have fond memories of being a little girl and getting a box of Samoas all to myself. That first bite into the chocolatey, caramel-y, coconut-y goodness was the best feeling in the world. And to be honest, it still is!
However, as much as I’d like to eat a box of Samoas every day, I know that it isn’t good for my body. While the sugars and gluten are totally fine in moderation, I know I wouldn’t feel good eating them too often. So, I created these Samoa Cookie Protein Bites: a better-for-you snack with all of the nostalgia of Girl Scout Samoa Cookies.
This recipe is gluten-free, refined sugar-free, vegan-friendly, and is NO BAKE, meaning no ovens required! Plus, it comes together in just under 15 minutes, making this recipe SO easy to whip up, any time!
What You Need to Make These Samoa Cookie Protein Bites:
- Shredded Unsweetened Coconut: One of the most quintessential ingredients in Samoa cookies is toasted coconut, so for this recipe, we’re going to be toasting our own! I recommend using unsweetened coconut here, because this recipe is sweet enough, as is.
- Cashew Butter: Make sure you use a CREAMY cashew butter here, so that these bites maintain the perfect texture! If your cashew butter is too thick or crunchy, it will give these bites a different consistency.
- Maple Syrup: I love using maple syrup in my recipes, because it adds the perfect amount of sweetness without the refined sugars. You could likely use honey here, if you prefer, but I like maple syrup for the best flavor and consistency!
- Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract is an essential ingredient in any sweet treat!
- Almond Extract: Almond extract is the KEY to making almost anything taste fresh from the bakery! In this recipe, the almond extract really gives these bites a cookie-like flavor.
- Blanched Almond Flour: I love almond flour because it is full of protein and healthy fats, and adds a light texture to these bites. This recipe has NOT been tested with any other flour, so substitute at your own risk!
- Ground Flaxseed Meal: Flaxseeds add plant-based protein as well as Omega-3’s. Plus, the flaxseed meal helps these bites hold their shape!
- Collagen Peptides OR Unflavored Protein Powder: I like using collagen peptides in this recipe, because they’re loaded with protein but add zero flavor. But, if you are vegan or just don’t want to use collagen peptides, you can also use an unflavored protein powder here!
- Mini Chocolate Chips: You can totally use normal chocolate chips in this recipe, but the mini ones are so much more fun!
How to Toast Coconut
Toasted coconut is essential for this recipe, but is SO easy to make yourself. And lucky for you, I have a blog post where I go into detail on three quick and easy ways to toast coconut at home. You can read more here – it’s so simple and easy!
How to Make These Samoa Cookie Protein Bites
-
Start by preheating your oven to 400 F.
- Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and toss your unsweetened shredded coconut on top.
-
Toast your coconut for 7-9 minutes or until it turns a light, golden brown. Then, remove from the oven and let cool.
-
In a medium bowl, add half of the toasted coconut, along with the rest of the ingredients and stir everything together well, making sure the ingredients are fully incorproated.
- Next, using a cookie scoop or spoon, form bite-sized balls of dough.
-
Sprinkle the remaining toasted coconut over the bites, eat, and enjoy!
I hope you guys love this recipe! If you make it, be sure to leave a comment below and let me know what you think! And if you post to Instagram, I repost your remakes on my IG stories! xx
Ingredients
- ½ Cup Shredded Unsweetened Coconut
- ⅔ Cup Creamy Cashew Butter
- ¼ Cup Maple Syrup
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- ½ Teaspoon Almond Extract
- ⅓ Cup Blanched Almond Flour
- ¼ Cup Ground Flaxseed Meal
- 2 Scoops Collagen Peptides OR Unflavored Protein Powder
- ½ Cup Mini Chocolate Chips
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 400 F.
- Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and toss your unsweetened shredded coconut on top.
- Toast your coconut for 7-9 minutes or until it turns a light, golden brown. Then, remove from the oven and let cool.
- In a medium bowl, add half of the toasted coconut, along with the rest of the ingredients and stir everything together well, making sure the ingredients are fully incorproated.
- Next, using a cookie scoop or spoon, form bite-sized balls of dough.
- Sprinkle the remaining toasted coconut over the bites, eat, and enjoy!
Rate & review
SELECT A RATING and tell me what you think!
What others are saying
Hey! Love all of your recipes! How long do we bake these and are we baking at 400?
Hi Caroline! These protein bites are raw, not baked. 🙂 The only thing that you need to “bake” is the coconut, which we are toasting in the oven!
I made the sonomas, after 2 tries of roasting c
Coconut 3 time was a charm! My oven must be powerful I roasters for only 4 1/2 minutes perfect! After all that they were delicious love this recipe 🥰🥰💕💕
Woohoo! I am so thrilled that it turned out so well for you, Barbara! Thank you for making this recipe and for leaving a review. I’m so happy that it worked well for you!!
These are killer! I’m soooo glad I made them. I made some cookies from here too and they were really tasty. Absolutely Delish! Thank you to the Author ♥️
Woohoo! I am so thrilled to hear that you loved this recipe, Holly! Thank you so much for making it with me, and for leaving such a sweet review!
These are a complete addiction in our home. My hubby loves the Girl Scout Samoas. My sis found this recipe. I made it once, & hubby and I are HOOKED 😍😍😍. They’ve become our “go to”. They are made continuously at your home 😍😍😍
I LOVE hearing that so much, Amy!! This makes my day, thank you so much for sharing and for making this recipe!
These are FABULOUS!! Perfect way to crush any strong craving for something sweet – particularly when you want chocolate. And nice and filling, too! Love them! This is the first recipe of yours I’ve made and I’m so, so happy I found you on IG via Ambitious Kitchen…I’ve got a long list of recipes of yours that I plan to make soon! Thanks for the incredible content and well done! 🙂
Yay! Joelle, I am absolutely thrilled that you loved this recipe so much! And so happy that you found me through Ambitious Kitchen… I love Monique! 🙂 Thank you so much for al of your support, I hope you enjoy the recipes!
Super tasty! These are such a great and filling snack! I didn’t have cashew butter, so I substituted almond butter, and they still came out great. Do you store them in the fridge or on the counter, and how long do they last?
Hi Jessica! I recommend storing them in the fridge – they’ll last longer!
Thank you for the most delicious and healthy treat recipe! Since I’m trying some “self control”… would they store in the freezer well so I could take one out each day?
Hi Pam, absolutely! These freeze really well 🙂
These are so good and easy to throw together! I used peanut butter the first time I made them because I didn’t have any cashew butter on hand and they still turned out delicious. I made my own flax meal by putting flax seeds in my Blendtec for 30 seconds.
I am so glad that you loved them, Caitlin! Thank you so much for your review!
Do you think they would be ok with a vanilla flavored vegan protein powder?
How much collagen? My container doesn’t have a scooper.
Hi Jen! 2-3 tablespoons is the perfect amount.
OMGosh, wonderful! I used Tahini instead of cashew butter. It was fantastic‼️
These were quick and delicious! I used almond butter and it was great. I’d like to see how the flavor would change with cashew butter. To save a step, I mixed all of the coconut in rather than rolling them. I personally find almond extract to be a little overpowering so next time I’ll try with half the amount or leave it out and see how that works for my palate. Thanks for sharing a tasty treat, Nicole!