These Maca Peanut Butter Energy Balls are LOADED with the goods. Peanut butter, oats, maca powder, nuts and sweetened with Medjool dates. Vegan, gluten-free and basically the best snack, ever.
Waahhh It’s APRIL. Kinda hard to believe, right?! Spring is definitely in the air though… Anyone else in the cleaning mood? I am looking to get rid of a bunch of stuff. Luckily my little sister is in need of some random furniture for her apartment at college, which gives me a good excuse to say goodbye to things we no longer use.
Since we moved back from Pennsylvania two years ago and then into our house last spring, I’ve realize the amount of crap we have moved from place to place. Things we have barely looked at again since packing it up. Part of the problem is I am not one to just throw things in the garbage so it just stays until I take the time to go through it. Anyone else like that?
Do you know what would be amazing though? If there was someone that come to my house and sort through all of my junk and just tell me if I need it or not… Oh oh, like a show on TLC or something. Those are still around right? I mean I am not at hoarder level or anything but our guest bedroom is a hot mess right now… It’s almost been a year since we’ve moved and I need to get my shit together man!
Well, at least I have my energy balls…
Maca Peanut Butter Energy Balls
So yes, it’s that time again for MORE ENERGY BALLS.
Never enough ballz in my life. There are so many ways to enjoy them and the possibilities are virtually endless.
For this particular recipe I decided I’d do something I haven’t actually done before…
I combined my two favorite energy ball styles into one.
Dates/Nuts meet Oats/Nut Butter.
I took date based energy balls and combined them with oat/nut butter energy balls. I was looking for a new recipe that really packed some awesome ingredients into one powerhouse ball recipe.
Short list of ingredients needed
- dates
- peanut butter
- nuts (I used cashews + walnuts)
- maca powder
- rolled oats
- mini chocolate chips
Just six ingredients, a food processor and about 15 minutes is all you need for this amazing healthy snack.
Some notes about these peanut butter energy balls
Medjool Dates – The dates act as the sticky sweetener/binder here and you’ll need the food processor to help break them down (along with the nuts). If you don’t have a food processor or you’re looking for a sub, you could replace the dates with 1/2 cup honey or brown rice syrup.
Maca Powder – I like to incorporate different superfoods into various everyday foods like my coffee and snack recipes like energy balls. Maca is said to be great for hormonal balance. Our hormones essentially control everything from sleep to stress to weight and everything in between, so I’d say it’s a pretty good idea to keep them in line.
Rolled Oats – I wanted to add oats here for some extra fiber, and it’s another source of good carbs plus a a little protein. I used the food processor and pulsed them in.
Water – I did use a could tablespoons of water to help bring the mixture together a bit better. If your dates are really dry you may need to do this. You can also soak your dates before processing them which will help.
Oh, and mini chocolate chips. Couldn’t resist those. I mean peanut butter + chocolate = hellloooo one of the best combos ever.
But all in all this recipe is super simple and freaking delish.
Maca Peanut Butter Energy Balls FTW.
Let me know if you make this recipe by leaving a comment and review below! I love hearing from you and it helps others learn about the recipe too. Xx Ashley
How to Make…
Maca Peanut Butter Energy Balls
These Maca Peanut Butter Energy Balls are LOADED with the goods. Peanut butter, oats, maca powder, nuts and sweetened with Medjool dates. Vegan, gluten-free and basically the best snack, ever.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 28 minutes
- Yield: 24 energy balls 1x
- Scale:
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed Medjool dates, pitted (about 12)
- 1 cup mixed nuts (I used cashews and walnuts)
- 1/2 cup all natural peanut butter
- 3 TBS maca powder
- 3/4 cup rolled oats
- 2–3 TBS water
- 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
Option to toast nuts beforehand: place nuts on baking sheet and bake at 325ºF for 8-9 minutes. Allow to cool. If dates are dry, soak in warm water for 5 minutes then drain. Be sure to pit dates.
- In bowl of large food processor add pitted dates, nuts and peanut butter. Process until nuts have broken down into small pieces and mixture is sticky.
- Add in maca powder and oats; process until mixture comes together adding water 1 tablespoon at a time. The mixture may feel somewhat crumbly, but should hold together once formed into balls. Add a little bit of water and continue to process if needed.
- Remove S-blade and fold in mini chocolate chips.
- Using rounded tablespoon, shape mixture into balls – you should get about 24 energy balls.
- Store in airtight container in fridge and enjoy!
Recipes Notes:
Storing: I keep energy balls in fridge and enjoy within 2 weeks. If freezing, they can be kept for several months. Just make sure they’re stored in an airtight container.
Nutrition Information:
- Serving Size: 1/24
- Calories: 131
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 9
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Unsaturated Fat: 2
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 14
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 3
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Virjinia @ With Purpose and Kindness says
These sound super delicious! I can’t wait to give them a try. I’ve pinned it for later! 🙂
Talia says
New to your blog so maybe you explained it somewhere else. How important is the Maca powder? Or energy powder in general? Does it affect the flavor of the ball, or does it just help with the monitoring of our hormones like you said above?
Thanks! Can’t wait to check out other recipes you have
Ashley says
Hi Talia, Sorry if I wasn’t very clear there with the maca – If you read this article it will give you some more detailed info. As for how important it is, you can omit and the recipe is fine without. It adds a subtle flavor but more so added in for the nutritional benefits. Hope that helps!
Annelyse says
I am looking at buying some Maca Powder on amazon. The one I am looking at gives the option of either gelatinized or raw. Do you know what the difference is? I am a maca powder-noob.
Ashley says
Hi Annelyse! So it’s actually kind of personal preference but I personally go for the gelatinized – it’s said to be easier to digest.
Jody says
Hi Ashley,
I’d like to try these, but I’m one of the small percentage of Celiac/NCGS peeps who can’t tolerate GF oats. Is there anything you’d suggest to use as a substitute?
I have heard Bob’s gluten free oats are the best, but I had a bad reaction to another brand, and honestly, don’t want to chance it. I was sick for days.
Ashley says
Oh man that is tough! Honestly you would probably be okay omitting the oats and maybe just adding a few tablespoons of an all purpose GF flour or possibly even coconut flour if you want a “dough” like consistency. Otherwise try leaving out and the consistency would be more like a larabar. Hope that helps!
Shannon says
How many calories in one energy bite?
Ashley says
Hi Shannon, I just updated the nutrition info to reflect approx calculations for 1 bite (out of 24).
Hannah Elise Hamilton says
Hi just wondering, how long these will keep for? Should I keep them in the fridge? Thank you.
★★★★★
Ashley says
They’ll last a good couple weeks + in the fridge! You can also store in the freezer for months at a time (about 4 or so). I’ll update the recipe card to reflect this note!