There is a point in everyone’s life where they need an easy source of nutrient-dense/energy-dense foods. We get busy, we get tired and all we want is a nutritious grab-and-go option. Energy balls, or sometimes called “power balls,” are a great option. Using shelf stable ingredients, these snacks can sit out at room temp, they’re small and portable, and they provide an opportunity for you to pack in the nutrition. These are great for after a workout, busy on-the-go days, breastfeeding, road trips and more.
This recipe is highly customizable. The base is simply four ingredients, 1 ½ cups of rolled oats, 1 cup of nut butter of choice* (peanut butter is a common choice, but other good options could include almond butter, cashew butter or sun butter), ¼ cup flax meal and ¼ cup of honey. To this you add an addition ½ -1 cup of additional ingredients. Nuts, seeds, dried fruit, protein powders, psyllium husk, shredded coconut, almond flour, matcha, cocoa, dried herbs and spices, and candy chips are all good ingredients you can try. —Dana Mealing, RDN, LDN, community nutrition educator, Tevis Center for Wellness
Here’s the classic peanut butter chip version of this recipe:
Ingredients:
• 1½ cups whole rolled oats
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter (*Look for “natural” nut butters, made without hydrogenated oils, no added sugar and less than 140mg sodium per serving)
• ¼ cup ground flaxseed
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
• 2 Tablespoons chopped peanuts
• 2 Tablespoons chia seeds
• Pinch sea salt, optional
In a large bowl, place the oats, peanut butter, flaxseed, honey, vanilla, chocolate chips and peanuts. If your peanut butter is unsalted, add a pinch of salt too. Mix to combine. The mixture will be thick.
Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop the mixture, then use your hands to roll it into balls.
Place on a large plate or baking sheet and chill in the fridge for 1 to 2 hours, or until firm.
The energy bites keep well in the fridge for up to a week. They also freeze well.
Recipe inspired by: No-Bake Energy Balls Recipe – Love and Lemons
