This clean eating snack is an all time favorite. Peanut butter energy balls are actually a family favorite of all the great clean eating snacks. You just have to be careful not to eat them all at once.
This energy balls recipe is actually for chocolate peanut butter energy balls, which in my opinion is even better. Who doesn’t love chocolate? Whoever decided to combine peanut butter and chocolate way back when was a dang genius! But, at least now we know a bit more about what’s healthy and can make wiser decisions when it comes to our sweet treats.
Healthy Clean Eating Snack – Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls Recipe
What You Will Need (Full Printable Recipe Available Below)
- 1 scoop Vegan Vanilla Protein Powder
- 1 Tbsp ground flaxseed
- 1.5 Tbsp Raw Cacao powder
- 1/4 cup Natural Peanut Butter + 1 Tbsp Peanut Butter (You can sub with almond butter if you prefer)
- 2 Tbsp Pure Maple Syrup
- 1 Tbsp Almond Milk
- 1 tsp unrefined coconut oil
How to Make Peanut Butter Protein Balls – a Clean Snack Recipe
Homemade energy balls are one of my all-time favorite healthy clean eating snacks. I keep mine in a container in the fridge for when I want something quick, easy and to curb the sweet cravings. I admit that once in a while I eat so many that it feels like I’m defeating the purpose. They are so yummy it’s hard to believe they are healthy.
These chocolate peanut butter energy balls are actually vegan, gluten-free and refined sugar-free making them virtually guilt free. Some days I snack on raw nuts, while other days I really want something sweet and chocolatey. This energy balls recipe is a family favorite in my house.
Directions – How to Make No Bake Protein Balls
Ingredients:
First, let’s gather the ingredients to make these healthy peanut butter balls and make sure we are using non-processed clean eating approved ingredients. Clean eating snacks are easier to make than you may think.
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Protein Powder Options
- Vegan Vanilla Protein Powder – This protein powder from Organifi checks all of the boxes. It is vegan, gluten-free, plant-based, soy free and dairy free. You can get it online: protein powder.
Other Ingredients
- Flaxseed – this ground flaxseed is simple and organic with nothing added. You can get it online HERE.
- Raw Cacao Powder – I always make it a point to mention that you want to look for cacao and not cocoa. Did you know that it’s considered a superfood? I use cacao in smoothies, baking, energy bites and just about anything I can. And you can find some for yourself HERE
- Nut Butter – as mentioned this is a peanut butter energy balls recipe but you are able to sub almond butter if so desired. Whichever route you choose to take, make sure that there is nothing added to your peanut butter or almond butter beside the nuts. Some brands tend to sneak unwanted oils or sugars in. My favorite brand is from Trader Joes. If you don’t have a Trader Joe’s near you, you can order them online HERE. But even if you prefer not to order online just make sure to read the label and ingredients.
- Pure Maple Syrup – skip the fake sugar and chemically processed brand and go for the real deal. Look for pure maple syrup like this kind HERE.
- Almond Milk – Sure, you can get almond milk at the local grocery store. When I do get mine at the store I prefer Califa brand. But you can also make your own almond milk and it’s so easy! Here is how to make almond milk.
- Coconut Oil – this is just to lubricate your hands, but it will transfer to your homemade peanut butter energy balls so you may as well use top quality right? I’m sure there are other recipes where you will need coconut oil too! This is the brand that I use, you can get it online HERE.
How to Make Your Own No Bake Protein Balls with Protein Powder
Steps:
- First, grab a large bowl and your dry ingredients:
- protein powder
- cacao powder
- flaxseed
- Combine the ingredients for this clean eating snack in your bowl.
- Next, add the ¼ cup almond butter and pure maple syrup. Mix as much as you can – it will still be a bit on the dry side.
- Add your almond milk and mix again. The consistency will appear slightly dry but keep mixing until it begins to hold together.
- To help your homemade energy balls form nicely I like to stick them in the refrigerator or freezer for a few minutes. They tend to roll easier when cold. Just don’t let them freeze.
- While your chocolate peanut butter energy balls are ‘cooling’ in the fridge grab some parchment paper and line a tray.
- After 10 minutes or so remove your peanut butter energy bites mixture from the fridge/freezer.
- Grease your hands with a small amount of coconut oil. Portion and roll the balls. Aim for golf ball size or slightly smaller.
- If you’d like to get fancy, because why not. Place the remaining almond butter/peanut butter into a ziplock type bag and cut the very tip. Squeeze the nut butter through the hole and drizzle a swirl over your peanut butter protein balls.
- Place your clean eating chocolate peanut butter protein balls in the fridge to set. Depending on how large or small you roll your balls you should end up with appx 7 balls or more. Feel free to adjust your ingredients if you’d like more.
Easy No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Protein Bites Clean Snack Recipe (Printable Version)
Peanut Butter Energy Balls: a Clean Eating Snack
No bake chocolate peanut butter energy balls made with protein powder. A clean eating snack.
Ingredients
- 1 scoop vegan vanilla protein powder
- 1 Tbsp ground flaxseed
- 1.5 Tbsp raw cacao powder
- 1/4 cup natural peanut butter
- 1 Tbsp natural peanut butter
- 2 Tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp almond milk
- 1 tsp coconut oil
Instructions
- First, grab a large bowl and your dry ingredients: protein powder, cacao powder, and flaxseed. Combine ingredients in bowl.
- Next, add the ¼ cup almond butter and pure maple syrup. Mix as much as you can - it will still be a bit on the dry side.
- Add your almond milk and mix again.
- The consistency will appear slightly dry but keep mixing until it begins to hold together. To help your homemade energy balls form nicely I like to stick them in the refrigerator or freezer for a few minutes. They tend to roll easier when cold. Just don't let them freeze.
- While your chocolate peanut butter energy balls are 'cooling' in the fridge grab some parchment paper and line a tray.
- After 10 minutes or so remove your peanut butter energy bites mixture from the fridge/freezer.
- Grease your hands with a small amount of coconut oil. Portion and roll the balls. Aim for golf ball size or slightly smaller.
- If you'd like to get fancy, because why not. Place the remaining almond butter/peanut butter into a ziplock type bag and cut the very tip. Squeeze the nut butter through the hole and drizzle a swirl over your peanut butter protein balls.
- Place your clean eating chocolate peanut butter protein balls in the fridge to set. Depending on how large or small you roll your balls you should end up with appx 7 balls or more. Feel free to adjust your ingredients if you'd like more.
Notes
You may sub peanut butter with almond butter if you prefer.
Nutritional values will vary depending on what protein powder you use, as well as what nut butter you use. Info for this recipe is based on the ingredients I personally used.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Nuzest - Pea Protein Powder - Clean Lean Protein, Premium Vegan Plant Based Protein Powder, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, GMO Free, Naturally Sweetened Protein Shake, Smooth Vanilla, 20 Servings, 1.1 lb
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Trader Joe's Almond Butter Two Pack - Crunchy + Creamy Almond Butter Two Pack Unsalted - No Salt
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Organifi: Complete Protein - Vegan Protein Powder - Organic Plant Based Protein Drink - Soy, Dairy, and Gluten Free - Digestive Enzymes - Complete Chocolate Flavor - 30 Day Supply
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Viva Naturals - The BEST Organic Ground Flax Seed, Proprietary Cold-milled Technology, 30 oz (Packaging May Vary)
-
Healthworks Cacao Powder Organic 1 Pound
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 7 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 109Total Fat: 5.9gSaturated Fat: .8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1.8mgCarbohydrates: 7.4gFiber: 1.4gSugar: 4.5gProtein: 3.3g
Nutritional values will vary depending on what specific products you use.
For more healthy clean eating recipes make sure to follow my clean eating Pinterest board here: Clean Eating.
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