No Bake 100 Calorie Peanut Butter Energy Balls

These one bowl peanut butter energy balls are a low-calorie snack filled with protein, fibre and healthy fats making them the perfect little afternoon snack. I love making a big batch of them and freezing them for a quick snack-on-the-go!

 
We live in a world of convenience, and all too often when looking for a quick fix we reach for the sugar-packed granola bars or trans-fat laden potato chip. This healthy snack will only take 15 minutes of your time. Mix all of the ingredients into a bowl and roll into balls, thats it! And in return, you will get 3 weeks’ worth of these healthy and convenient no-bake peanut butter energy balls.

Nutrition

Peanut Butter

Peanuts are rich in monounsaturated fats which are a major component of the heart-healthy, Mediterranean diet and have been linked to a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Making Energy Balls Without Dates

I love using dates in my energy balls, but not everyone is a fan. These energy balls are bound together not by dates, but by the ratio of peanut butter and honey – no dates required.

Peanut Butter Myths Busted

Does My Peanut Butter Contain The Carcinogen Afloxtoxin?

Peanuts have also been vilified due to their susceptibility to the carcinogen aflatoxin which is produced by molds which are grown on crops, such as peanuts, in humid climates. Chances are if you’ve landed on this recipe you love peanut butter as much as I do.

To limit our exposure to aflatoxin we should purchase our peanut butter from a reputable brand and country to ensure it has been handled and stored properly. If you are unsure of the quality of your peanut butter store it in the fridge as mold loves hot and humid temperatures and is less likely to grow in a cooler environment. Even better, ask your peanut butter supplier how often they screen for aflatoxin. This should be done yearly.

Is Peanut Butter Fatty?

Many people tell me they try to avoid peanut butter because of its high-fat content. The fat in peanut butter is predominantly monounsaturated fat, the same type of fat found in olive oil and avocados.

These healthy fats are an important component of the Mediterranean heart-healthy diet and a good ratio of healthy fats is important for the structure of cell membranes. They also help to keep our skin and hair nice and healthy, and with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K.

Tips

Making Soft Energy Balls

Depending on how oily your peanut butter is will depend on how much water you will require in the recipe. Often natural peanut butter will be dry towards the bottom of the jar. If the peanut butter is very dry and no water is added this will result in dry, crumbly energy balls. Be sure to add additional water if this is the case.

Should I Use Honey or Maple Syrup?

I’ve adjusted that ratio of honey to peanut butter as best I can to produce a low sugar content, but enough stickiness to hold them together. The stickiness of the honey is important in forming the energy balls, so reducing it any further may result in dry, crumbly energy balls. I find that honey sticks better than maple syrup, but maple syrup still works for those looking for a vegan alternative.

Variations

Use this recipe as more of a guide – I love adding new things and trying out different combinations. Try some of these different variations

• Nut Butters: These taste great with almond butter, there is no need to adjust the amounts of nut butters. I have even done them with tahini, I love the combination of tahini and honey.
• Dried Fruit: Try it with chopped dates instead, or raisins taste great as well. I find sour cherries are the best as the tartness balances the sweetness of the honey.
• Flaxseed: These are used to help bind the peanut butter balls, chia seeds would work as well.
• Maple Syrup: Use this in place of honey for a vegan alternative. The energy balls won’t be as sticky as with honey, so you may need to add some more peanut butter.

Notes

Storing Your Energy Balls

Store them in the fridge in an airtight container to keep them fresh, and if you aren’t finishing them all within 5 days then best to store them in the freezer. They taste great straight out of the freezer, no defrosting required.

Short On Time

The resting time in the fridge after you have mixed all the ingredients isn’t necessary and only helps to set the balls so they stick better. If you are short on time, let the mixture rest for at least 10 minutes.

Toasting the coconut intensifies the flavour of the coconut, and again this is not necessary and the energy balls taste just as good without this. If you are short on time you can skip this step.

Making Them Gluten-Free

Make sure the oats are certified gluten-free if you are planning on gifting these energy balls to someone that has celiac disease. For those with a gluten-intolerance, oats are naturally gluten-free but do run a small risk of contamination.

Making Them Vegan

This recipe works best with honey, but if you are vegan you may wish to use maple syrup. I find that maple syrup is not as sticky, so you will need to use more peanut butter to form the energy balls.

A Little Note on Peanut Butter

Choosing a Good Peanut Butter

Look for one that is natural meaning it doesn’t contain any added sugar or fats. I have seen some peanut butter containing trans fats, or even palm oil. Peanut butter should be 100% peanuts (some will have added salt which is OK). Sometimes there may be a small layer of oil separation on the top, but my peanut butter source says this isn’t always the case and 100% peanuts shouldn’t separate very much.

How To Store Your Peanut Butter

For years I thought that you had to store your peanut butter in the fridge, which often resulted in a rock-hard peanut butter that was difficult to spread. In fact, my favourite peanut butter company insists that natural peanut butter is best stored in a cool, dry pantry for up to one year.

More Peanut Butter Recipes

• High Protein Peanut Butter and Hemp Energy Balls are so good
• Or this savoury and satisfying Indonesian Style Peanut Sauce with Vegetables
• Try these Vegan and Gluten Free Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies with peanut butter
• I love these Three Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies
• Need some breakfast inspiration? Try this High Protein Steel-Cut Oats with Peanut Butter recipe