Do you ever crave a healthy snack that hits all the sweet tooth spots? Then these peanut butter energy balls are for you, and the kids!
We love these PB balls so much because they’re only sweetened with maple syrup! Yup, that’s right.
Maple syrup provides the right amount of sweetness in comparison to its overly sweet counterpart; honey.
They are wonderful to have on-hand in the fridge when the kids want a snack, I don’t want to feed them junk food while we’re out and about, and they’ve satiated my own hunger or sweet cravings a time or two (or ten)!
Post-workout, these energy balls get your energy back up and give the body sustainable fuel until the next mealtime, and you won’t feel bad replenishing the body with good calories.
I definitely don’t feel guilty if the kids eat more than four of these! In fact, I welcome it. It’s also really fun to get them involved in making them. We work on math, motor skills, sensory input, and listening skills – most of the time.
Let’s get mixing!
THE INGREDIENTS
They are very simple to make. Here are the ingredients you need on hand, it takes only 8 ingredients.
- powdered peanut butter (we prefer it to creamy but you can use either and you can find it at Costco too)
- real maple syrup
- quick-cooking oats + rolled oats (can use one kind or gluten-free)
- chocolate chips | substitute Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips to make vegan
- raw maca powder
- organic cacao powder
- organic chia seeds
- water
Oats: My kids do not enjoy eating raw whole rolled oats, so we only use quick-cooking oats in our energy balls. I’ve noticed energy balls are a little easier to digest when only using quick oats.
A Scale: We do use a scale to measure out the ingredients for energy balls. It makes for a more consistent texture, flavor, and it is much easier to add all the ingredients into one bowl in the mixer.
SUBSTITUTIONS + MIX-INS
If your family is unable to have peanut butter, substitute almond, cashew, or even sunflower butter at the same ratio listed in the recipe.
I don’t have coconut-loving boys, and I’m not quite certain peanut butter and coconuts go together, but if it works for you and your family, add it in to taste!
Here are some additional ideas on add-ins:
- hemp hearts
- chia seeds
- cranberries, raisins, dried cherries
- pumpkin seeds
- choice of nuts
- banana chips
- choice of chips
- other dried fruits (maybe strawberries)
- protein powders (our favorite as its flavorless, or your favorite plant-based one like our second favorite Almond protein powder)
The mixing bowl is your oyster, my friend, add away!
If the mix gets a little too dry due to any add-ins, add more water by the teaspoon until the right consistency is reached. If it becomes too wet, add in more oats until you can form a ball that doesn’t break apart.
STORING PEANUT BUTTER ENERGY BALLS
PB Balls are best stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container or airtight baggies for up to two weeks. Any longer and they will become dry.
I love putting anywhere between 5-8 balls of varying sizes in little snack baggies and place them in a special spot in the fridge for the kids as a grab-and-go snack. The boys will help me pack some up from the ones they make and we sharpie their names on the bags.
It also makes it super easy for you, the kids, or grandma to grab a bag as everyone heads out the door on an adventure.
The kids also enjoy these with our Homemade Almond Milk or Buttered Hot Cocoa.
THE RECIPE
Let us know your thoughts after trying these out! I would love to know how they turned out and if adding something we didn’t think of making them even more delicious.
Happy munching!
Peanut Butter Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1.5 cup Quick cooking oats
- 1.5 cup Whole rolled oats (or sub quick cooking oats)
- 1 cup Peanut butter (powdered or creamy) follow label directions if using powdered
- 1/2 cup Maple syrup
- 2 tbsp Maca powder
- 1.5-2 tbsp Cacao powder (to taste)
- 1/3 cup Mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a large automatic mixing bowl, first add in the peanut butter and maple syrup. Mix for 1 minute or until well combined.
- Mixing on low, slowly add in the oats, maca powder, and cacao powder.
- Add in the mini chocolate chips and mix just until combined. Now is the time to add in any additional ingredients desired.
- If the mix is not clumping well and seems dry, then add in a 1 tsp of water at a time.If the mix seem too wet and sticky, add in 1 tbsp of oats at a time until the mix begins to clump together to form balls.
- Remove and form into balls.
- Store in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to one week.
