• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Home Cooked Harvest

  • All Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Appetizers / Peanut Butter Energy Balls

Peanut Butter Energy Balls

January 5, 2021 by Tristin 4 Comments

Jump to Recipe

No Bake Energy Bites are made with only a handful of ingredients like creamy peanut butter, dates for natural sugar, and hemp seeds. These power balls are vegan, gluten free, and dairy free. Peanut Butter Energy Balls are the perfect grab and go snack!

Energy balls in a small square bowl, wooden background with whole dates and oats.
These Peanut Butter Energy Balls are the Perfect Snack to Keep Around

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 instead.

A small white bowl of energy balls with dates in foreground.
These Bites are Full of Wholesome Ingredients and are Vegan, Gluten Free, and Dairy Free

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.

Power bites on a baking tray after being rolled in hemp seeds.
These are a Healthy Poppable Snack That you Will Need a Food Processor or Blender to Make

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.

An up close image of an energy ball.
These Are The Best Energy Balls to Make for a Grab and Go Snack

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.
All of the ingredients to make energy balls which are oats, dates, peanut butter and hemp seeds.
Peanut Butter Energy Balls are Made With All Natural Ingredients

How to Make Peanut Butter Protein Balls

  1. Soak dates in hot water.
  2. Put drained dates, oats, and peanut butter in a food processor. Combine until smooth.
  3. Form the mixture into 1-inch balls. Roll the balls in a small bowl of hemp seeds.
  4. Put the balls on a flat surface (like a cookie sheet) and place in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to harden a little.
  5. Enjoy!
All of the steps to make energy balls.
Easily Make Your Own Protein Balls and Store Them in the Fridge for Up to a Week

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.
A small white bowl of energy balls with dates in foreground.
These Power Bites are Made With Peanut Butter, Oats, Dates, and Rolled in Hemp Seeds

Try these other healthy recipes!

  • How to Prepare Spaghetti Squash
  • How to Bake Sweet Potatoes
  • Stuffed Poblanos

NEVER MISS A RECIPE!

Follow me on social for more recipe ideas & inspiration!

PINTEREST / FACEBOOK / INSTAGRAM 

Energy balls in a small square bowl, wooden background with whole dates and oats.
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

Peanut Butter Energy Balls

No Bake Energy Bites are made with only a handful of ingredients like creamy peanut butter, dates for natural sugar, and oats. These power balls are vegan, gluten free, and dairy free. Peanut Butter Energy Balls are the perfect grab and go snack!
Prep Time20 mins
Time in refrigerator15 mins
Total Time35 mins
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4
Calories: 275kcal
Author: Tristin @ Home Cooked Harvest

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.
  • Put drained dates, oats, and peanut butter in a food processor.  Combine till smooth.
  • 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.

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

Calories: 275kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 75mg | Potassium: 371mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 39IU | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 2mg

Did you make this recipe?

Please let me know how it turned out!

If you’ve tried this or any other of my recipes, don’t forget to rate the recipe below and leave me a comment. I love hearing from you! Share a picture on Instagram and hashtag it #homecookedharvest.

Related

Filed Under: Appetizers

Previous Post: « Baby Yoda Cocktail
Next Post: Banana Pineapple Smoothie »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Evan

    April 30, 2021 at 4:30 pm

    5 stars
    These are perfect for family outings. We take them hiking and cycling. Easy to transport, no mess, and the are a great pick me up when energy levels drop.

  2. Tristin

    April 30, 2021 at 4:33 pm

    I completely agree, Evan. These travel so well, we are always taking them with us where ever we go.

  3. Mikayla

    May 10, 2021 at 12:36 pm

    5 stars
    Love the peanut butter flavor in these. Great way to get protein (from hemp seeds and peanut butter). These are great little snacks for my kids.

  4. Tristin

    May 10, 2021 at 12:37 pm

    YES, Mikayla!! I love making these peanut butter balls for my kids, too. Great source of plant protein.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

About

Hey there! Welcome, I am so glad you are here. I’m Tristin, the food-lover, recipe-maker, and photo-taker behind Home Cooked Harvest, which features easy recipes made with tasty ingredients. Read More…

Subscribe

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

What’s Trending

Two cooked pieces of air fryer chicken breast with no breading, one breast is cut into cutlets.

Air Fryer Chicken Breast – No Breading

A coupe glass filled with green kiwi martini, slice kiwis for ears and black olives on a cocktail stirrer for eyes. The glass stem is wrapped in a brown paper bag "coat". Cut kiwis are in the foreground.

Baby Yoda Cocktail

A streusel covered strawberry muffin at the forefront with a strawberry on a red napkin with white polka dots. Bowl of strawberries and muffin tray full of muffins in the background.

Bakery Style Strawberry Muffins

Half of a bunny tail truffle around other truffles.

Easter Bunny Tails

An up close white bowl full of broccoli cheese soup topped with cheese and a bowl of soup and torn off bread in the backround.

Healthy Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Two white bowls of soup topped with cilantro, avocado slices, sour cream, and lime wedge. Chips and blue towel in the back ground

Instant Pot Black Bean Soup

A stack of 7 cookies on a piece of parchment with white chocolate chips and lemons in the background.

Lemon White Chocolate Cookies

Stack of white chocolate dipped treats on a white plate with a few marshmallows sprinkled around.

Lucky Charms Bars

Butterscotch Cornflake Cookies topped with sprinkles.

No Bake Butterscotch Cornflake Cookies

Two bowls of garlic potato soup with croutons, fresh parsley, and roasted garlic around.

Roasted Garlic Potato Soup

Up close of a strawberry stuffed with cheesecake filling, sprinkled with mini chocolate chips and topped with a little chunk of graham cracker.

Strawberry Cheesecake Bites

A forkful of cake next to square piece of Watergate cake on a white plate with chopped pistachios and shredded coconut sprinkled around. Cake slice on a plate and the whole baking dish with cake is in the background.

Watergate Cake

Footer

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • Contact
  • Disclaimer and Privacy Policy

Search this Site

© 2023 Home Cooked Harvest. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.