These crunchy peanut butter energy balls are yummy and convenient. Whether you're looking for a quick breakfast, you're on-the-go, or looking for a post-workout recovery snack. These healthy treats will do the job.
Filled with healthy fats from the peanut butter, plant-based protein from vegan protein powder, and carbs with fibre from the rolled oats. These energy balls are the king of nutritious and convenient plant-based snacks. I love making a whole batch of these at the beginning of the week, then consuming them over the next couple of days.
Ingredient Profile
- Crunchy Peanut Butter - Peanuts and peanut butter are a great source of healthy fats, while also having some amounts of fibre and protein. Make sure to get the crunchy version for added texture. I also highly recommend getting one of the "100%" or "only peanuts" versions of peanut butter, or peanut butter that doesn't have a lot of added sugar. That way we keep the energy balls as nutritious as possible.
- Vegan Protein Powder - Not only does adding vegan protein powder give you an extra heaping of plant protein, but it helps firm up this mixture after everything's been processed, making it easier to form them into balls. I personally use Vega Protein + Greens (I've tried both chocolate & salted caramel flavors, both are great). But feel free to use the vegan protein powder of your choice.
- Maple Syrup - This adds some sweetness and a hint of maple flavor to the energy balls, making them not just nutritious but also tasty.
- Rolled oats - This adds some crunch to the energy balls and are also a great source of fibre. They also contain a specific fiber called beta-glucans which have numerous health benefits.
How to Make Crunchy Peanut Butter Energy Balls
First off, put ¾ cup of rolled oats into a food processor and grind it until it's fine. It doesn't have to be so fine that it resembles oat flour, but you want to make sure the oats are broken down into much smaller pieces.
Then into the food processor add ½ cup of crunchy peanut butter, 1 scoop of vegan protein powder, and 2 tablespoons of cacao nibs (optional, but recommended if you want additional crunch and a bit of a chocolatey flavor).
Start blending all the ingredients together. Then as it's blending, pour in ⅓ cup of plant milk slowly into the food processor through the top. After a while, everything should combine well and you get a more doughy mixture.
Transfer the mixture into another container (e.g. a mixing bowl, or even just a plate) and start forming it into balls. And you're done! Quick and easy.
Tips
- If you're not getting your desired texture, adjust the ingredients. If the mixture feels too dry, add small amounts of plant milk until you get what you want. Similarly, if the mixture feels too wet, add more protein powder or oats next time you make the recipe.
Crunchy Peanut Butter Energy Balls
Equipment
- food processor
Ingredients
- ¾ cup rolled oats 90g
- ½ cup crunchy peanut butter 120g, 100% peanut butter or low-sugar recommended
- 1 scoop vegan protein powder 30g
- ⅓ cup plant milk e.g. almond milk
- 2 tablespoon cacao nibs optional but recommended
Instructions
- Pour rolled oats into the food processor and process until fine.
- Add the peanut butter, protein powder, maple syrup, and cacao nibs (if using) into the food processor. Blend.
- Slowly add in plant milk through the top of the food processor while the processor is blending.
- Transfer mixture into a separate container (e.g. mixing bowl).
- Using your hands, form the mixture into balls. This recipe should make about 9, but you could have less or more depending on the size.
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