These are the best guilt free…ish snack for those who need a little energy lift, something small before a workout or those who are trying to curb dessert!
These are perfect for pre-workout as an energy bite to fill you up a little before you go workout or on a run. These can work in place of a protein bar as well and I love to have them if I need just a touch more of a full stomach before heading out the door.
They are great any time of day whether it is an at-work snack, pre-workout filler or dessert! They provide all the taste of dessert but with some healthy benefits to make us feel better about ourselves.What’s great is they are bite size balls so you can satisfy the sweet craving without needing to eat a ton. The best part about these is that there are so few ingredients and they take minutes to make!
So easy and you can have them prepped for 1-2 weeks as they last forever. They taste great in the fridge and sometimes even better frozen if you put them in the freezer.
While a little heavy in calories these are packed with tons of nutritional content and can definitely keep you full for some time due to the complex carbs.
The health benefits in these protein balls are astounding! Below is a list of their benefits per www.healthline.com of which I summarized.
Rolled Oats Health Benefits
Oats are ridiculously good for you. One of the most nutritious dense foods you can eat. Due to them helping you feel full, they are a good way to promote weight loss by slowing down the emptying of the stomach.
They are a good source of carbs and fiber. They are loaded with important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. The benefits can help reduce blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar levels and promote feeling full and a healthy gut.
Flax Seed Health Benefits
Flax seed is one of the most powerful plant foods on the planet. Now known as a “superfood” flax seed is prized for their health-protective properties and being packed full of nutrients.
Similar to oats they keep you full longer, which may help you manage weight by controlling your appetite better. They are a rich source of Omega 3s, dietary fiber, high quality protein, lignans and antioxidants.
They are said to potentially have cancer preventive properties, reduce diabetes risk, they improve your digestive health, improve cholesterol levels & heart health, lower blood pressure and help control blood sugar.
Peanut butter, honey & chocolate health benefits
Peanut butter is comprised of 25% of protein and that is why they are a great addition to these balls… along with the taste.
As much as I want to publish all of the positives from peanut butter, honey and chocolate, I just can’t. Yes there are some great things that come from each and I will let you Google them as each have multiple types of nutritional value.
However, I can’t pretend these are truly overly nutritious great for your health foods but still are valuable in moderation. I could list tons of benefits of peanut butter but anything you shouldn’t eat a TON of I just can’t justify as fully healthy like the flax & oats above.
Here is where I think you can be a little okay with a little guilt of these foods while still getting all of their good properties along with the other amazing ingredients in this recipe.
PB definitely has some great health properties however there are of course extra calories and pending the brand you use… could have vegetable oil and sugars added. To go as healthy as possible try to of course buy the healthiest and natural nut butter.
Peanut Butter Protein Energy Ball Recipe In 5 Minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 2/3 cup peanut butter - refigerated may need more pending butter consistency. Can sub almond butter.
- 1/3 cup flaxseed I prefer seeds to the flaxseed meal
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips Sub mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 4 tbsp Honey 1/2 cup but save washing a sticky cup
Optional
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/4 cup protein powder chocolate or PB is ideal
Instructions
- Cold peanut butter will make combining everything easier.
- Combine all ingredients into a medium sized bowl and mix with a spoon or your hands. Use your hands and form the mixture into balls.
- Refrigerate or freeze to set them for 1 hour+
We made these! Soooooo good and surprisingly filling!
Right, they are a perfect snack!
May be my future go to snack before workouts. Morgan Keith told me about your blog/ Pinterest and when I saw this recipe I drooled and had to make them ASAP.
Yes, they are so easy to make and oh so tasty and filling!
These are my new favorite future snack before a workout. Morgan Keith told me about your blog/ Pinterest and when I saw this recipe I had to make them ASAP!
Glad you like them! They definitely are so good!
Really tasty and surprising easy to make. I made twenty and kept some in the freezer.
Cannot wait to make these. Definitely need a good filler to stop me from snacking. Thanks Fraser you are a star. X
Hope you love them! Thanks so much 🙂