Combining favourite flavours of sweet and salty, these healthy chocolate peanut butter crunch energy balls really pack a punch with all the goodies they contain, guaranteed to give you the boost you need.
Chewy, chocolatey, and little bits of crunch, these balls are so good they can be compared to a chocolate bar! But of course, way better for you and made with real ingredients, AND no refined sugar! Whether you need a pick me up before doing exercise, or you’re simply craving something sweet, these energy balls will be the perfect addition to your pantry for a quick grab and go treat. Simply make a batch ahead of time, and eat them as you please.
Ingredients
- Oats
- Cocoa powder
- Dates
- Powdered peanut butter
- Maple syrup
- Salt
- Pretzels
Health and Energy Enhancing Ingredients
With just 7 powerful ingredients, these healthy chocolate peanut butter crunch energy balls are filled with many energy enhancing elements to fuel your daily activities. With a high carbohydrate focus, the balls were created with the intention of fuelling athletes, but they’re so good that they can be enjoyed by anyone.
- Oats: As a hearty whole grain to keep you fuelled and satisfied longer
- Cocoa powder: Contains a small amount of caffeine to boost energy and alertness
- Dates: Used as a natural sweetener and gives a burst of energy
- Powdered peanut butter: Adds extra protein with less fat than regular nut butter, so it doesn’t slow you down
- Maple syrup: Added flavour and gives immediate energy
- Salt: Used for flavour and to replace lost electrolytes through sweat
- Pretzels: Add a nice crunch while supplying simple carbohydrates that can be used as quick energy
Food as Fuel
As a sports nutritionist, I choose ingredients for more than just flavour, but thinking about how they’ll fuel me. All the ingredients in this recipe were carefully chosen to benefit active individuals to help get the most out of their training. Thinking about what you eat is a very important step, but to maximize benefits from the food you consume, when you eat them is important too. For more information about food for performance, keep an eye out for products I release, focused to fuel both plant based and active individuals to unlock your full potential through the foods you eat.
How to store the energy balls
Place the energy balls in an air tight container and store either in your pantry or refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or freeze for longer storage.
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Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Energy Balls Recipe
Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Energy Balls (Vegan)
Equipment
- food processor or high powered blender
Ingredients
- 2 cups oats
- 1/8 cup cocoa powder
- 15 dates pitted
- 1/2 cup powdered peanut butter
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup pretzels chopped into 1cm pieces
Instructions
- In food processor (or high powered blender), process oats into a fine texture. Transfer to a bowl.
- Next, process dates with maple syrup until it forms a paste.
- Add ground oats, powdered peanut butter, cocoa powder, and salt to the blender with the date paste and pulse to combine.
- Transfer mixture to a large bowl and mix in pretzel pieces. You may need to work the mixture together with your hands, don't be afraid to get messy.
- Roll into balls about 1 inch in diameter. Makes about 20 balls.
Notes
- Powdered peanut butter: In comparison to regular peanut butter, this reduces the fat content while increasing protein per calorie.
Substitutions for the Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Energy Balls
- Oats: These are the base for the balls and I’m not sure how well substitutions would work while keeping a high carb, low fat profile for optimal energy.
- Cocoa powder: If you are sensitive to caffeine, carob powder is a good alternative to give a chocolate like flavour without the caffeine.
- Dates: You could try other dried fruit such as raisins.
- Powdered peanut butter: Other powdered nut butters would be fine, though I would recommend staying in the powder form for reducing fat content.
- Maple syrup: This could be replaced with agave or honey if you’d prefer.
- Salt: If you need to watch your sodium consumption due to health or preference, feel free to opt out of adding extra salt.
- Pretzels: If you want a substitution for pretzels, anything low fat, crunchy and carbohydrate based would work well. Crackers, rice cakes, puffed wheat, etc.
Nutrition Facts for the Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Energy Balls
Nutrition facts are based on 1 ball, assuming the recipe made 20 balls.
*Note: The nutrition facts below may vary based on the type and brands of ingredients used, as well as the size of balls created.
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