This recipe is a gift. For your face. And your energy. And your wallet! Say hello to peanut buttery bliss balls made with basic stuff like oats, flax, and honey with a kiss of salted chocolate. Like duh, right? We all need easier healthy snack recipes stat. I set out to make a snack sitch that a) doubles as dessert, b) doesn’t require a blender/food processor, c) uses every-day ingredients and d) is not intimidating. And lookie here, we nailed it! Because healthy shouldn’t be hard.
Why I love these (and you will too)
They’re satisfying! Granola bars that are just oats never fill me up. Enter fats! Pssst: did you know peanuts are also the highest protein nut? One bite conquers your chocolate craving thanks to satiating fats, protein and fiber in pb, flax, and oats. They’re easy. Just like my peanut butter chia balls, these come together in no time with no fancy ingredient list and no blender. When I say easy, I mean it! Kids love them. My toddler chows down on these and I love knowing he’s getting some nutrition! They’re customizable. Use your favorite nut or seed butter. Add coconut or chopped nuts or dried cherries. Add a scoop of collagen peptides (you may need a splash of milk, too).
Let’s make ’em!
What I learned from recipe testing
Maple syrup and honey both work for the liquid sweetener, but they’re far easier to roll with honey since it’s sticky. You definitely want a bowl of water nearby to wet your hands often for foolproof balling. Yes, the flax is a must. It helps them stick together alongside the sticky sweetener. You can make the coating with regular semi-sweet chocolate chips, mini ones, or a dark chocolate bar. To cover the entire ball, you can use ¾ cup. A bit of peanut butter in the coating makes it less crunchy to bite into. If you like more of a crunch, you can use only coconut oil. A sprinkle of flaky salt really takes these over the top, no shock there.
If you want bites for all the people, you know the drill. Use certified gluten free oats for gluten free bites and use dairy free chocolate to make them vegan. “I make these bites AT LEAST twice a month! They are the perfect snack or smoothie accompaniment! They’re just as tasty not chocolate covered too and I have made them with peanut butter, almond butter and tahini, all yield great, delicious results!” -Maclean “These are ALWAYS in my freezer. Sometimes I follow the recipe but most of the time I sub creamy almond butter for pb & chocolate chips for the chocolate coating. eat them right out of the freezer & they’re like cookie dough. So good.” -Lauren “I make these monthly (at least!) My husband and I are obsessed! They are great for a small after meal treat but also if you need some energy or a tasty way to hold you over until your next meal. Like a really yummy bite sized granola bar, but better, and healthier!” -Emily These stay good in the freezer for up to 3 months. So get ballin'!
