Peanut Butter Energy Balls: A Quick and Healthy Snack

NTFB’s Nutrition Services team offers an easy recipe for when you need a filling snack or treat.

When you’re looking for a sweet treat that is also nutritious, these peanut butter energy balls deliver.

Made with just whole grain oats, peanut butter, honey and mini chocolate chips, the snack is simple to make and provides enough protein to keep you full while satisfying that craving for dessert.

“It’s a good breakfast on-the-go, afternoon snack or something to hit that sweet tooth craving at night,” says Jamie Palefsky, Nutrition Education Specialist.

Peanut butter is a great source of protein because it’s also high in good, unsaturated fat, Jamie says. The whole grains add some fiber, and the honey is a natural sweetener. Jamie adds that other nut butters can be used if peanut butter needs to be avoided, including sunflower butter, which doesn’t contain any nuts.

Peanut Butter Energy Balls

Servings: 17 (or about 35 peanut butter balls)

Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

2 cups whole grain oats

1 cup natural peanut butter

½ cup honey

¼ cup mini chocolate chips

Optional

¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut

Directions

Combine oats, peanut butter, honey, chocolate chips and coconut (if using) into a medium bowl.

Stir well.

Using a tablespoon, scoop out a small amount of the mixture and roll it into a ball. Place on a baking sheet or in a container and repeat until the full mix has been used.