Of course, the first post of 2021 has to be a healthy recipe. We all make that beginning of the year vow to eat healthier in January. I back you on it 100% and support you because I’m right there with you. Why not start this year off right? Add in more fresh fruits and veggies and whole foods over processed foods into our diets. It’s a small way to start making healthful choices in the future.
I need snacks that are easy to prepare AND taste good, so that when I start reaching for sweets or croutons (is it weird that croutons are my fave snack?), I reach for these peanut butter balls or chocolate strawberry greek yogurt bark instead.
You may call these Energy Bites or Protein Balls. They are typically made with a variety of ingredients, but I’ve found that a bunch of recipes had a ton of honey added. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but I wanted to make some that were vegan and without a ton of added sugar.
So, in place of sugar in this recipe, we use natural whole dates. Dates are also the glue that helps these bad boys stick together.
I especially like these bites (and my family does too) because not only are they full of wholesome ingredients, but they’re delicious, too. We often have arguments over who gets to eat the last one, even after making a double batch. Luckily, the last one can always be split in half between my two kiddos. Gotta keep things EXACTLY equal around here.
These energy balls are super easy to make (and even easier to eat). Soak the dates in hot water, put them in the food processor (without the water) with peanut butter and oats. Blend it up till it’s smooth and uniformly chopped up. Form into balls and roll in hemp seeds.
It’s so easy to store these in your fridge so that you have a healthy snack on hand to easily grab. They are also great to take with you to eat on the go and these nutritious ingredients will help you feel fuller longer.
Why Make Your Own Energy Balls?
I like knowing what’s in my food. By making your own power balls you know that there are only whole foods in them and you aren’t consuming any weird ingredients. You are in control of how much sugar and salt get added.
Are Hemp Seeds Good for You?
Hemp seeds also know as hemp hearts have a nutty-type flavor and kind of taste like sunflower seeds. Besides being delicious, my favorite thing about them is they are high in protein. Three tablespoons have almost 10 grams of protein, which is fabulous for a plant-based diet. It’s optional to roll the energy balls in hemp seeds. You could roll in chia seeds instead.
Peanut Butter Energy Balls Ingredients
- Peanut Butter: I use natural peanut butter made with only peanuts but regular peanut butter works also.
- Oats: Whole oats, I like to use rolled oats because they are less processed but instant oats will work if that’s what you have.
- Dates: Medjool are the best, but any whole pitted dates will work.
- Hemp Seeds: These are optional, but delicious.
How to Make Peanut Butter Protein Balls
- Soak dates in hot water.
- Put drained dates, oats, and peanut butter in a food processor. Combine until smooth.
- Form the mixture into 1-inch balls. Roll the balls in a small bowl of hemp seeds.
- Put the balls on a flat surface (like a cookie sheet) and place in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to harden a little.
- Enjoy!
Peanut Butter Energy Balls Tips
- Use a tablespoon sized cookie dough scoop to make each ball the same size.
- For a firmer “dough,” refrigerate the mixture before forming into balls.
- If the mixture is too dry, add in a little more peanut butter.
- I recommend using rolled oats, but instant will work if that’s all you have on hand.
- This recipe makes between 12-15 protein bites, easily double this recipe.
- A serving size is 3 energy balls. It can be easy to eat a lot of these, so just be mindful.
Peanut Butter Energy Balls Variations
- Roll power balls in chia seeds instead of hemp seeds.
- Use a different nut butter such as almond or sunflower seed butter.
- Hand mix-in hemp seeds so that you get more in each energy ball.
Storage Instructions for Energy Balls
- How to Refrigerate Pretzel Bites: Put the bites in a glass container or BPA-free airtight plastic container or zipper bag. They should last about a week in the fridge.
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Peanut Butter Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 20 dates, pitted
- 1 cup hot water
- 1/2 cup oats, rolled
- 1/4 cup peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons hemp seeds
Instructions
-
Soak the dates in the hot water for 10-15 minutes.
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Put drained dates, oats, and peanut butter in a food processor. Combine till smooth.
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Form the mixture into 1-inch balls. Roll the balls in a small bowl of hemp seeds so that they stick to the outside.
-
Put the balls on a surface (like a cookie sheet) and place in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to harden a little.
Recipe Notes
- This recipe makes about 12-15 balls, easily double the recipe.
- These peanut butter energy balls will last about a week in the refrigerator.
- Roll in chia seeds instead of hemp seeds.
* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.
Nutrition Information
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