Gluten-Free Caramel Snickerdoodle Protein Bites are the perfect high-protein snack to satisfy your sweet tooth! Super easy to make with no baking, kid-friendly, great for snacking, desserts, etc.
Protein Packed Bites
If you’ve ever been torn between a snickerdoodle cookie and a sweet-salty caramel treat, these Snickerdoodle Protein Bites are your happy middle ground. We gave this reader favorite a flavor refresh, and the result? Warm cinnamon spice, buttery cashews, sweet maple syrup, and a hint of sea salt all rolled into one satisfying snack.
These bites are gluten-free, no-bake, and made with wholesome ingredients like gluten-free oats, nut butter, and protein powder. Perfect for post-workout fuel, a lunchbox treat, or an afternoon pick-me-up. And yes, they taste just like cookie dough!
Simple Ingredients You Need
This is an overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details!
- Gluten-Free Rolled Oats – A fiber-rich, whole grain base that adds chew and helps bind everything together. Just make sure they’re certified gluten-free.
- Roasted Salted Cashews – Packed with healthy fats and protein, they add a creamy texture and a hint of salt to balance the sweetness. They are the “salted” in the salted caramel.
- Vanilla or Caramel Protein Powder – Boosts protein to keep you fuller longer and gives these bites their cookie dough-like flavor. Note: Be sure check the ingredient label for flavored protein powder as some brands might contain gluten.
- Cinnamon – The star of any snickerdoodle! Warm, cozy, and great for balancing blood sugar.
- Nut or Seed Butter – Acts as a binder and adds healthy fats. Use a no-stir option for the best texture. Avoid using peanut butter if you want to keep the snickerdoodle flavor profile intact.
- Maple Syrup – Natural sweetener that help everything stick together with a little added flavor.
- Optional Coating – A mix of coconut sugar, cinnamon, and protein powder gives each bite a little extra sparkle and crunch.
Ingredient Swaps
- Protein Powder – Use any vanilla or unflavored protein powder you like. For a vegan option, use plant-based protein (like pea or rice protein). Just note that texture can vary — if it’s too dry, add a splash more milk or nut butter.
- Oats – If you’re oat-sensitive, use certified gluten-free quinoa flakes or finely ground unsweetened coconut flakes. Texture will change slightly but still delicious.
- Maple Syrup – Sub with honey (if not vegan) or date syrup for a lower glycemic option. Coconut nectar is another great alternative.
How to Make Snickerdoodle Protein Balls
- Blend: in a food processor or blender, blend the oats and cashews until you get a coarse, flour-like texture. Think crumbly but not powdery.
- Mix the dry ingredients. Pour the oat-cashew mix into a large bowl and whisk in the protein powder and cinnamon.
- Add the sticky stuff. Stir in the nut butter, maple syrup (or honey), and vanilla. Mix it well until everything comes together into a thick, sticky dough.
Note: If the dough feels too dry or crumbly, add a little more maple syrup (start with 2 tablespoons and go from there).
- Roll into bite size balls.
- Chill out. Place the balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and pop them in the freezer for 20–30 minutes to firm up.
- Coat: You can then roll bites in the extra protein/cinnamon sugar l after you chill the protein balls.
- Freeze or keep in refrigerator to maintain freshness.
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FAQ & STORAGE TIPS
Yes! If you’d prefer to skip the protein powder, you can substitute with 2–3 tablespoons of almond flour, peanut flour, or ground oats (oat flour) The flavor will be slightly different, but they’ll still be delicious.
A vanilla or caramel-flavored plant-based protein works the best, especially if it’s naturally sweetened. You can also use a clean whey protein if dairy isn’t an issue for you.
Chilling helps the bites firm up and hold their shape, especially before coating. If you’re in a hurry, pop them in the fridge for 10–15 minutes instead of freezing.
Sure! The texture will be a little more sticky to touch due to the maple syrup, but the bites are still flavorful without it. The coating gives them that extra snickerdoodle cookie flavor.
I like to keep them in the freezer. They thaw quickly and taste amazing straight from the freezer. You can store them in a ziplock bag or sealed container in the freezer for up to 6 weeks. If you prefer a softer protein ball, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Caramel Snickerdoodle Protein Balls Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 18–20 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Ingredients
- ¾ cup (75-85 grams) gluten-free rolled oats
- ½ cup (70 grams) dry roasted salted cashews
- ½ cup (60-65 grams) vanilla or caramel protein powder
- ½ tablespoon ground cinnamon, plus extra for coating
- 6 tablespoons (105–110 grams) creamy no-stir nut butter or sunflower seed butter
- ½ cup maple syrup or honey
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Optional: 1 tablespoon coconut or raw sugar + cinnamon + protein powder for coating
Instructions
- In a blender or food processor, pulse oats and cashews until you get a coarse flour-like texture.
- Transfer to a large mixing bowl and whisk in the protein powder and cinnamon.
- Stir in the nut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla. Mix well until a thick, sticky dough forms. If it feels dry or crumbly, add 2–4 tablespoons more maple syrup to help it come together.
- Scoop into 1 to 1½ inch balls using a small cookie scoop or your hands.
- Chill on a parchment-lined baking sheet in the freezer for 20–30 minutes.
- For the coating (optional): Mix coconut sugar, cinnamon, and a little protein powder in a bowl. Roll or shake the bites in the coating until evenly covered.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 1 week or freeze for up to 6 weeks.
Notes
Substitutes: If you don’t have protein powder, you can substitute with 2–3 tablespoons of almond flour, peanut flour, or ground oats (oat flour) The flavor will be slightly different and you might have to adjust the amount of maple syrup added (start with less and add more as needed), but they’ll still be delicious.
Protein Powder Tips: A plant-based protein powder, such as pea protein or a blended plant protein powder that includes pea protein, works the best but egg white protein or whey protein may also be used. Note: texture may vary slightly depending on the texture of the protein powder. If the mixture is too dry, add a small amount of plant-based milk or nut/seed butter until desired consistency is reached.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- chill time: 20
- Category: dessert/snack
- Method: no bake
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 65
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 20
- Fat: 2.8
- Saturated Fat: .7
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 8
- Fiber: 1.5
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 8
I don’t have Carmel protein powder only vanilla. What can I add to give the Carmel flavor ?? How about Carmel sauce?
Do you have any coconut sugar? They gives on a caramel flavor. YOu could blend 1 tbsp with the vanilla protein powder. Let me know if you try that!
Where do you get the vanilla spiced protein?
Hi Julie! this is an old recipe that will probably need retesting. If you’re looking for something similar you might try our cinnamon protein bites recipe! or you could try this tahitian vanilla protein. Sunwarrior is a favorite. https://amzn.to/494YzI5
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This is the perfect blog for today, I need to make it ready for a family gets together. Thank you for making my day so easy
Did you mix equal parts Flapjacked and Protein powder?
Hi Teresa! The flapjack mix just contains protein. So you just 1/2 cup of a protein pancake mix. The one I used was a spiced flavor so it helped make it more flavorful. Or you can use vanilla protein texture and add in cinnamon. Either works! Depending on your protein, you might need more or less honey/nut butter. does that make sense?
so I’m making a variety of bites for my friend’s baby shower this weekend, and I’m so glad I found this one! On the list!!
so I’m super emotional right now, but your little trip down memory lane with your dad made me tear up! daddy-daughter memories are kinda the best, right?
oh i’m so glad we could share that memory! Hope you get to make them friend. keep me posted. xxoo
& now I want to drive to the Marble Slab Creamy here in Kuwait (YES WE HAVE ONE!!) & get this combination of flavors you spoke of. I think I’d take you *fabulous* idea and add some peanut butter chips to the mix. Mmm!!!
I would definitely try the chocolate flavor first.
Cookie dough is my favorite ice cream flavor.
i’d love to try the chocolate mighty muffins!
my favorite was cookies n’ cream 🙂
I used to love Strawberry Ice cream! I guess it’s still good, but it’s probably the last thing I would order now, knowing that there are flavors like peanut butter chocolate!
Oh my! Choices, choices. I love a lot of flavors of ice cream but my first favorite was Cherry Vanilla. Would love to try the chocolate muffins and definitely giing to make this snickerdoodle recipe!
my childhood favorite ice cream flavor is def Mint Chocolate Chip, however, I’ve recently really started to enjoy flavors that my parents have always loved…but I wouldn’t touch with a 10 ft pole-like Butter Pecan and Vanilla Bean. Oh so good! These Snickerdoodle bites look absolutely scrumptious! I just got some coconut flour so I’ll be making these bad boys soon.
my favorite ice cream from childhood (and still!) is a soft serve chocolate vanilla swirl in a cone. topped with rainbow sprinkles if i’m feeling particularly nostalgic 🙂
I’ll take two batches of these. Two of the pink lemonade. Some of the spring sprinkle & the Matcha ones… GAH I need to find time to make some balls! I’m OUT! Tell 512 to get shipping! 😉
Mmm, Snickerdoodles are my favorite cookie! These look phenomenal.
That’s so sweet about your dad 🙂 I loved it when my parents would take me to Marble Slab too!
ahhh the marbles slab memories. Classic!
I would try the Double Chocolate Muffin first!
I have ALWAYS loved GOOD Strawberry ice cream!
I would love to try the Apple Cinnamon first.
I have always loved Cookie Dough Ice Cream.
I didn’t realize they made muffins now too! Both sound delish, its hard to decide…I guess I’d start with the cinnamon apple.
My favorite childhood ice cream flavor was cookies and cream, but good-ness! Your flavor creation sounds amazing and these bites it inspired look to die for! Thank you for sharing the recipe! We are currently doing a Daniel fast with our church, or I’d be mixing them up, like right-the-now… I know the first thing on my to-make list when we have completed it =D
I subscribed again just in case! 🙂
I would try the cinnamon apple first! 🙂
I loved mocha chip ice cream as a kid!!!!!
These look so yummy! I’m not sure wether to classify them a snack or a dessert, so I’ll take one for both!
What flavor mighty muffin would I try? Definitely chocolate.
Wow! Can’t wait to try these! My favorite ice cream is probably chocolate peanut butter (but it HAS to be peanut butter ribbons. NOT the chunks/pieces) or coffee. We just went to the Ben & Jerry’s factory across the lake with my nephew and I hope he looks back on that event as a fond and corny memory with his crazy Aunt Noelle. 🙂
My favorite ice cream growing up was mint chocolate chip! Every year for my birthday, my mom would get a mint chocolate chip ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins. Today, it’s more along the lines of dark chocolate or salted caramel 🙂
Wow! Those look amazing! Anything with peanut butter and caramel, I’m there. Will have to make these soon! Thanks for sharing 🙂
My favorite ice cream flavor from when I was younger is cotton candy. Doesn’t sound as good now but was always my go to back then!
oh i remember that flavor! haha YUM
I love these! Pinned for later. My favorite ice cream was, and still is, mint chocolate chip!!
Oh my gosh, YUMMM!! These snack balls look so good, Lindsay!!
My favorite ice cream is strawberry cheesecake, from Baskin Robbins! I love how all of your bites recipes look so doughy and soft. Can’t wait to try!
Fab photos & delicious recipe- these look amazing!! Ice cream has always been my favourite dessert- even just plain vanilla does the trick. If we’re getting fancy my favorites include cookie dough(duh), mint choice chip & cookies ‘n’ cream…..aaaand now I need to get some ice cream!!
Yum! You are a genius! Your Dad sounds like a great guy!
YUM! I have a lot of baking to do!!! 🙂
Oh my god these look amazing! I have no self control when it comes to sweet bites like these so if I was to make the recipe they definitely would not last long…
Hence why there are no more left in my fridge! Haha whoops
These salted caramel snickerdoodle protein bites look so yummy. My favorite ice cream flavor is anything chocolate.
Your childhood ice cream flavor combo would be my first choice, too! LOVE these little bites. Now I can’t decide whether to start with these or the Pink Lemonade version…decisions, decision! Pinned! 🙂
The double chocolate mighty muffin flavor looks fantastic!
Mint chocolate chip is my jam!
Oh Linds, you continue to amaze me with your yummy ball recipes!! These sound so tasty! xo
I’m an addict. LOL!
Is ice cream flavour jealousy a thing? Because if not I am hereby declaring it is. I swear you have the BEST flavours over there making the ones I grew up with look boring in comparison. Salted caramel with peanut butter bits mixed in?! Crazy. Crazy delicious, I bet. Making those bites sound like a decadent-tasting snack that’s actually nutritious. Mmmh.
haha it’s totally okay to be jealous of my creations
These look so unbelievably amazing!! My favorite ice cream from when I was a kid is mint chocolate chip…. no, oreo…. no, moose tracks. I had so many!
Snickerdoodles are my favorite cookie ever!
I cannot wait until you start shipping out.
Sign me up for a monthly box!!!
I know! I’m trying so hard! email 512 market kitchen and tell them to hurry up! LOL!
I just died a little inside from how incredible these sound. Caramel and cinnamon? Be still my pounding heart. I loved vanilla ice cream with caramel swirls, but I’ve never tried adding cinnamon. Oh man. I would die.
YUM! These look amazing 🙂 I love Snickerdoodle anything!
I feel like I can taste these just by looking at the pictures!
I loved how ice cream was a ‘you and your dad’ thing…my uncle would always take me out to buy a popsicle somewhere in the summer and he even did it into my middle school years! He has since passed away, but I will never forget those times and I’m so thankful I was able to have that special memory of him. 🙂
My favorite all time ice cream is chocolate… Although I enjoy buying vanilla and making a sundae:)
Where do you get the caramel chips?
at my local grocers. But they have dairy. BOO! I did find these though http://www.amazon.com/King-David-Non-dairy-Caramel-300-gram/dp/B00FW4DXVM
I love chocolate chip cookie dough. And mint chip 🙂
Double Chocolate!!
Salted caramel anything and everything is delicious, let alone salted caramel bites that I can take with me everywhere I go and eat in the car!! The best.
totally!!! makes traffic better. LOL!
I subscribed to the Cotter Crunch Newsletter!!
Growing up, my favorite ice cream flavor was Ben & Jerrys From Russia with Buzz. Now, though, I love me some cookie dough!
Chocolate muffins all the way!! They are my favorite!
My favorite ice cream is salted, carmel, pretzel. The best new flavor. Anything chocolate in the muffins.
These look so good- LOVE salted caramel– my favorite ice cream flavor was and still is Mint Chip!
i subscribed because your healthy bites are AMAZING. i think they taste better when you make them though 😉
youre too good to me. <3
that double chocolate looks amazing!
I LOVE anything caramel! My current favorite icecream flavor is salted caramel coconut milk ice cream with homemade chocolate sauce. As a kid my dad and I always shared a mild obsession with chocolate, but I’m learning to branch out! And those double chocolate muffins sound divine! I cannot wait to try these bites!
okay i need that!
I can’t wait to try the double chocolate mighty muffin!
Vanilla ice cream!
These sound so yummy! I love all things salted caramel. But my favorite ice cream has always been mint chocolate chip, but only if the chocolate chips are the tiny flakes of chocolate.
Caramel chips sound absolutely amazing! I bet these balls would be so good crumbled over oatmeal… which of course I am not eating right now. I think I am just torturing myself with this comment 😉
I used to love vanilla ice cream but now am all about salted caramel and chocolate! I really like the so delicious cashew milk salted caramel cashew ice cream
I want to try the double chocolate mighty muffins!
Yes – you sure are genius even now! I mean – look at these!!! These look so good! So love their texture and then I see the ingredient list and it’s all good-for-me stuff! Gosh lady! These are fantastic!
Growing up I used to love plain ol’ chocolate ice cream – then I became a vanilla girl – but, now, (after a recent trip to Ample Hills Creamery in NYC) my fav is cinnamon oatmeal ice cream that I had there. It’s not available here so I have to make it – but I don’t mind that – till I go back! 🙂
Brothers and Dad’s. We grew up alike!! I LOVED the lonely chats with my Dad – I wish I could do this still today.
Hmmm, Carrot Cake Flapjacked – I loved this mix! And these just sound super delicious.
Double Chocolate for sure!
Is Flapjacked GF? I was reading the label on the one I have in the pantry and it doesn’t say it is so I wasn’t sure if it was safe to eat.
They are made with gluten free ingredients but not certified gluten free. So celiacs might be careful but the muffins are certified gluten free. It all comes down to cross contamination in the oat flour, which is very very little. I know they will be updating their packages to get certified gluten free soon. The oat flour works well with me because I know it’s super clean and where it’s processed. Unlike say, a cereal company making oat flour. Does that make sense?
You are totally a genius! I can’t make your balls fast enough. 😉
My favorite ice cream as a chile was cookies and cream. In high school is was Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food. Today… probably one of the Jeni’s ice creams. Her pear reisling is unreal! Or the bourbon salted pecan…
I went through phases with flavors. First I loved just plain strawberry, then I was all about Neapolitan, but then when I was older I would just die of coffee ice cream with marshmallows, but you had to wait for the marshmallows (little ones) to “freeze” a bit…then..ooo so good!
These look AMAZINGGGGGGGGG. Gimme all the bites!
I love superman ice cream!
Yum! Definitely featuring these in my Life Links post this week.
Annica
www.lifemodifier.com
I definitely want to try the chocolate muffin!
Choosing a favorite ice cream is impossible. My childhood go-to was chocolate with peanut butter swirl, but lately… oh gosh. I love banana peanut butter chip at my local ice cream shop. It’s pretty delicious!
I’m a chocolate girl all the way. I’d definitely try the double chocolate mighty muffin first.
My all time favorite ice cream is definitely peanut butter but I just had a carrot cake ice cream that was incredible!
birthday cake is my favorite ice cream flavor – these sound AMAZING!!
I’d try double chocolate first. Allllll the chocolate, right? 😉
Favorite ice cream?? ALL OF THEM!!!! Well almost but love almost anything with chocolate, vanilla, caramel, lots of stuff in it…. oh and if you haven’t tried So Delicious Snickerdoodle (it’s gluten free and vegan) Cashew Milk Ice Cream you must seriously SO GOOD!!!
Now to these balls…. I’m pretty sure the girls won’t mind the pink lemonade ones I was going to make being pushed aside because we all love caramel and snickerdoodles and yep these if I wasn’t leaving soon I would be in the kitchen right now!
My fav ice cream right now is cherry with chunks of chocolate. Loving cherries lately! (okay okay… always)
Whoops forgot I would love to try that cinnamon apple might muffin. Yummy!! Forgot to add it to my last comment HAHA 🙂
So this is the giveaway you mentioned HAHAH!! How exciting LOL! & these healthy bites are right up my aisle LOL love salted caramel
I loved reading about you & your dads memory. Your relationship sounds an awful lot like the one my dad & I have. Daddys girls for the win 🙂
my favorite ice cream as a kid, French silk. Chocolate goodness!
I would try the apple cinnamon muffins first. I have a thing for apples and cinnamon 😉
These look great! I’ll have to try that mix. The carrot spice flavor is perfect for fall too!
Oh.My.Word. I need these in my life. I remember mom making snickerdoodle cookies growing up. Favorite ice cream as a child was Rocky Road (or French vanilla).
i love apple muffins
cookies and cream
I’m seriously in love. Let’s never grow up and eat snickerdoodle protein bites all day. I would have zero self control around these, they sound amazing. And you used carrot cake flap-jack mix, I have to get my hands on some!
I’d try the apple cinnamon first…just seems like a better flavor for muffins.
The flavor of Mighty Muffins I would try first is Double Chocolate.
My favorite ice cream flavor is Chocolate-Peanut Butter.
I subscribed to the Cotter Crunch newsletter.
I seemed to always go for the mint chocolate chip ice cream as a kid.
caramel and snickerdoodle? Pinch me i’m dreaming! These are EPIC!
Ahhh these look incredible! Snickerdoodle anything holds a special place in my heart. And then adding salted caramel!? DOUBLE YES.
I would have to try the chocolate mighty muffin first and top it with warm melty PB. Have you done that yet?!
my current favorite ice cream is Ben and Jerrys The Tonight Dough. Yum! When I was little my favorite ice cream memory was getting pumpkin ice cream every fall with my mom from the local homemade ice cream shop.
Snickerdoodles are such a favorite! I want one now! The fact that they’re salted I think makes them even more perfect 🙂
Oh gosh you had me at snickerdoodle! I love those cookies 😉 Cookie dough ice cream is my favorite, though!
In the words of Zoolander…. AWWWWW SNAP. Salted caramel and snickerdoodle are two of my favorite flavor profiles. I’ve always been a chocolate girl, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like pretty much everything else. It just means that I might also dip these suckers in chocolate.