As a person who is on a quest to live life as healthy as I can be, I do realize that food plays a great and important role in our day-to-day well being, which is why Iove these peanut butter energy balls without chocolate. ❤️
Everyone has their moments of so-called „weakness“ – an intense craving for a sweet or salty snack to satisfy their needs, often times using food as emotional comfort, not only as a means to fuel their bodies with energy.
We live in a fast-paced world, everything seems to be moving quickly and there is always a need to do and consume more. Because of that, it’s easy to surrender to unhealthy snacking habits, especially because of easy access to high-calorie processed foods. Fortunately, there are many alternatives, and preparing food at home is one of the things that are essential for a healthy lifestyle.
Today, we’ll embark on a culinary journey to create a snack that’s on the healthier side, easy to make and perfect to serve on social gatherings – energy balls made out of a harmonious trio of dates, oat flakes, and peanut butter.
Peanut Butter Energy Balls without Chocolate Recipe
Before delving into the art of crafting date, oat flake, and peanut butter energy balls without chocolate, let’s explore the reasons to why they are such a good choice to make!
- Nutrient-Rich Ingredients: Energy treats like these are connected with health and nutrition. The ones we are making today are composed of dates, oat flakes, and peanut butter, each contributing a distinct nutritional benefit. Dates offer natural sweetness and are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Oat flakes provide complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, are a host of essential nutrients and contain almost no sugar. Peanut butter is a source of healthy fats and protein, it brings it all together and is used as glue for connecting all the ingredients.
Several studies suggest that eating peanuts and other nuts can help people maintain their weight, or even help with weight loss. Peanuts are also good for heart health and bodybuilding. Managing blood sugar levels is also a part of their many pros. - Effortless Preparation: If the idea of spending hours in the kitchen is not your thing, these energy treats are your culinary ally. They require minimal preperation and are a perfect choice for individuals with busy schedules that are always on go.
- Easy to customize: The versatility of energy balls knows no bounds. You can tweak them to your taste preferences and nutritional goals. Whether you prefer nuts, seeds, or dried fruits, these energy balls are a blank canvas waiting for your creative touch. There are so many possibilities!
- Portability: A crucial advantage of these energy boosters is their portability. These small snacks are easily carried in your bag, making them an excellent choice for on-the-go fuel. Be it a gym session, a long workday, or an outdoor adventure, energy balls have got you covered.
One of the best things about this recipe is the fact that it’s suitable for vegans, because it doesn’t have any chocolate in it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 250 g of oat flakes
- 150 g of peanut butter, the crunchier it gets – the better
- 250 g of pitted dates
- optional: chia or sesame seeds, nuts, dried fruits
The Creative Process of Crafting Your Treats
Here’s the detailed recipe:
Peanut Butter Energy Balls without Chocolate
- Blender
- 250 g oat flakes
- 150 g peanut butter (the crunchier it gets – the better)
- 250 g dates, pitted
- chia/sesame seeds, or nuts/dried fruits (optional)
Preparing The Dates
Make sure your dates are pitted/seedless. To soften them up, let them soak in about 500 ml of boiling water. After their brief spa treatment, you can either drain them or blend them together with the water that they soaked in. For this recipe I blended them along with the water.
Note: Do NOT blend your dates in their dried up, pre-boiling state – it made my blender break down a couple of times
Get Your Oats Ready!
Using a blender, grind up the oat flakes into a sandy texture. This will make them more suitable for mixing the ingredients together.
Time To Get Messy
Using your hands blend all the ingredients together – ground up oats with dates and peanut butter. You’ll end up with an orange to brownish colored mixture and will definitely need to wash your hands after the mixture’s “massage session”.
Let It Cool Off
Let your mixture cool off for about 10 minutes in the refrigerator. That way it will stiffen upa bit so forming your energy balls will come with ease.
Forming The Balls
After cooling off, form your energy balls with your hands while trying to make each weigh about 50g. You're going to have to clean up again after this!
Finishing Touches
This is optional, but you can sprinkle in some seeds, or ground nuts over your treats. I put black sesame and poured leftover blended dates over my finished energy balls.
Storage
Make sure you store your snacks in the fridge before serving them. If you don't eat them immediately, they can last up to 2 weeks if stored correctly. You can also freeze them for an even longer shelf life.
Additional Questions
Why dates, oat flakes, and peanut butter? I chose dates because of their natural sweetness and because they are packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Oat flakes provide complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and essential nutrients while being low in sugar. Peanut butter adds healthy fats and protein, serving as the binding agent for the mixture. Together, they create a balanced combination of nutrients to provide energy and nourishment.
Can we add different ingredients? Yes! The versatility of energy balls allows for endless customization. You can add your favorite nuts, seeds or dried fruits. For those with specific dietary requirements, such as vegan or gluten-free, ensure that the ingredients you add align with your dietary preferences. Experimenting with different combinations can make these snacks even more enjoyable.
How should we store these energy balls? To keep your energy balls fresh, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Properly stored, they can last up to two weeks. If you want to extend their shelf life, consider freezing them; they can remain edible for several months in the freezer. Be sure to separate the balls with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
What’s the ideal serving size? An ideal serving size for these energy balls is around 50 grams per ball. This size provides a satisfying and energy-boosting snack. However, you can adjust the size to fit your personal preferences and dietary needs.
Final Thoughts
Life seems to get difficult at times, we feel down and as if our bodies are just vessels without enough energy while needing to keep up with the rest of the world. We turn to unhealthy habits and consume things our body doesn’t really need.
So thank you for checking out these peanut butter energy balls. Even though they don’t have chocolate, they’re still amazing and delicious. ✨
These types of healthy snacks come in like a ray of sunshine in difficult moments, where we can finally eat something so simple yet so savory, providing both immediate and sustained energy. Whether you seek a pre-workout boost, an afternoon bite or a healthier dessert alternative, these energy-boosters are a great example of incredible fusion of nutrition and good taste.
Of course, consuming a snack won’t solve our life’s troubles completely, but it is something – especially if we ourselves made it and get to share it with our loved ones.
Take a moment to really taste these flavors – feel the joy of nourishing yourself with every bite. In a world racing forward, each treat provides a chance to pause, refuel, and savor life’s simple pleasures.
Happy snacking! 😊
Amazing recipe – I loved it!!