We are one week into the new year… are you feeling good? Eating well and exercising? Staring down those healthy lifestyle goals and telling them, “I got you! I’m all over this!” I sure hope so! And I hope I can keep bringing you yummy recipes to meet those goals and keep you satisfied and happy. Which is how we’re ending up here… Today I’m bringing you a healthy snack for the new year: peanut butter energy balls! These gorgeous little bites are no-bake, naturally sweetened and just 4 ingredients! (They’re also gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free.) Plus, they’re super easy to make - just add everything to the food processor, roll up the mixture and you are good to go!
That’s true of most energy balls and that’s why I love them so much. All year round we love these chocolate peanut butter energy balls. Cause chocolate and peanut butter are just such a good combo. My pumpkin protein energy balls are a fall favorite, my pumpkin cranberry energy balls help transition me to the holidays and then it’s all about my cranberry chocolate walnut energy balls in December. Very seasonal, huh? And now it’s the New Year and I want even easier, even healthier and still every bit as tasty when it comes to snacks. (Shh, but these peanut butter energy balls may be my favorite of all of them!) I love these no bake peanut butter balls for a post-workout snack, an after-school snack with the kids or for packing as a lunch treat - for them or us! They’re super portable too, so they make a great healthy on-the-go snack option! (You might also want to check out these high protein snacks for more snacking ideas.)
Notes on peanut butter energy balls:
The mixture will be crumbly in the food processor but it sticks to itself and rolls into balls. If you want them more firm, just refrigerate them after you’ve rolled them and they’ll set up even more. I use a natural peanut butter with salt but no added sugar. If yours is unsalted, you may want to add a pinch of salt when making these energy balls. You could substitute almond butter for the peanut butter if you want them to be peanut-free. You could also add 2-3 tablespoons of mini chocolate chips if you wanted chocolate peanut butter energy balls. I get 9 large (golf ball-sized) balls from this recipe, but you could roll smaller balls if you prefer. These store great in the fridge for up to a week.
And now, for some nerdy food fun…
All about Medjool dates:
If you aren’t familiar with Medjool dates, they are one of the most popular varieties and are known for their large size, soft texture and rich flavor. They’re sweet and chewy with a bit of a caramel flavor. They’re originally from Morocco but are grown several other places now as well, including in the U.S. They actually are a fresh fruit, not a dried fruit. They are harvested and packaged for stores, with nothing added. Dates are high in natural sugars, but they’re also high in fiber so they don’t spike your blood sugar like some high-sugar or high-carb foods. Medjool dates can be found in the produce section of the grocery store. My store displays them on an end-cap near the apples and bananas, in a big box where you can pick out how many you want. You can also buy a pre-portioned carton of dates in some stores, such as Trader Joe’s. Or order some online. Dates have a small pit in the middle that needs to be removed before eating them or using them in a recipe. Simply use a sharp knife and cut down the side of the date to open it up. Then you can easily pull the pit right out of the middle.
Dates are really great for snacking. I love smearing the inside with a dab of peanut butter - so yummy! And they’re also so great for using as a natural sweetener in no-bake treats, like this peanut butter energy balls recipe! I hope you give these a try for a healthy, all natural, delicious energy bite for the new year. Enjoy! XO, Kathryn Psst… You may also want to check out these delicious energy ball recipes:
- No bake chocolate chip cookie balls (also 4 ingredients)
- No-bake blueberry oatmeal cookie balls
- No-bake oatmeal raisin cookie balls
- 10-minute chocolate cookie balls
I use a natural peanut butter with salt but no added sugar. If yours is unsalted, you may want to add a pinch of salt when making these energy balls. You could substitute almond butter for the peanut butter if you want them to be peanut-free. You could also add 2-3 tablespoons of mini chocolate chips if you wanted chocolate peanut butter energy balls.
Cuisinart DLC-8SY Pro Custom 11-Cup Food Processor, White 365 Everyday Value, Black Chia Seed, 16 Ounce 365 Everyday Value Dates, Pitted, 8 Ounce
