I am an avid runner and overall fitness nut. As such, I am always looking for healthy ways to fuel my body quickly and easily. I also enjoy snacking….a lot. My sister and I were just talking about how there has to be a snack break between breakfast and lunch. We can’t make it otherwise–and these quick peanut butter oat energy balls are perfect for that!
When I am cooking and meal prepping, I can tell I have a winning clean eating recipe when my husband approves. With this recipe, he has been known to say, “You know what we are almost out of…thos yummy energy balls. You need to make more!”
Guys, that’s a big deal. He is generally the biggest critic of my “overly-healthy” recipes so when he said that, you can bet I got into the kitchen and made another batch! I hope you enjoy them as much as we do! (This version is inspired by Rachel from Clean Food Crush, but has been modified by me to meet our needs at home)
Here are your ingredients
- 1/2 cup coconut flour ( It smells so delightful!)
- 2 cups ground old-fashioned oatmeal (see details in the recipe)
- 1/2 cup real maple syrup (honey would work too!)
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
- 1/4 t kosher salt
- 1 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
- 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (I LOVE the flavor this brings in)
Your Steps to Quick Peanut Butter Oat Energy Balls
First, grind the oats to make a sort of oatmeal flour. To do this, place the old fashioned oats and coconut flour into a food processor and pulse them until you have a very coarse flour like texture.
Then, combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix them with a wooden spoon until well mixed. Form them into 1-2 inch balls (whatever suits your family. We like 1 inch energy balls around here so I used a tablespoon to measure out the the dough.). Place on a cookie sheet. Place the cookie in the fridge for approximately an hour to harden. Remove from the pan, place in an airtight container, and store them back in the fridge.
These are great to make a few batches up and store for later. Perhaps whip up a few batches and put them in the freezer for a grab and go snack that can thaw over a few hours. (I’m thinking they would be great packed in a lunch and used for that sweet treat at the end to finish up your meal. As for me, I like to pack a few for my morning and afternoon snacks at work (See, I love all the snacks. My husband calls me a squirrel because I always have some food on hand…). As for my kids, they eat them like an after dinner treat, so I think I am winning. I hope you enjoy! –Jess
Tool of the Trade
Honestly, there is only one thing you really need for this recipe. A large food processor. Maybe you’re like me and think you don’t need it (Who needs ANOTHER kitchen gadget?!) But this guy gets a lot of use at our home and is perfect for fun sweet recipes like this one, but also is great in this cranberry jalapeño dip. I can’t recommend it enough, even if you do have to find a spot for it 😉
Quick Peanut Butter Oat Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup coconut flour
- 2 cups ground old-fashioned oatmeal see details in the recipe
- 1/2 cup real maple syrup honey would work too!
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
- 1/4 t kosher salt
- 1 tablespoons coconut oil melted
- 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- First, grind the oats to make a sort of oatmeal flour. To do this, place the old fashioned oats into a food processor and pulse them until you have a very coarse flour like texture.
- Combine all remaining ingredients in a large bowl and mix them with a wooden spoon until well mixed.
- Form them into 1 inch balls using a tablespoon to measure.
- Place on a cookie sheet and then chill in the fridge for approximately an hour to harden.
- Remove from the pan, place in an airtight container, and store them back in the fridge
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