Peanut Butter Energy Balls

Sometimes just a little bite in the afternoon will sustain you till dinner.

These Peanut Butter Energy Balls are a big hit!

How's March treating you?

I can say that these last two weeks have been pretty good here.  After a long, hell-ish winter full of record setting temps and LOTS of snow, I'm happy to announce that we can now see the grass in our yard.

Yesterday I read my book on the back deck in the sunshine.  Alas, I had a blanket covering me, but I was sitting outside nonetheless.  Me, along with much of the country has missed that Vitamin D so much.

I also put on a swimsuit today.

I'll just leave that right there.

It's been Spring Break week so the kids have been home.

I'll also leave that right there.

So far we've been to the trampoline park, done a little shopping, had an 8 year old's birthday sleepover {why don't they ever go to bed?}, sent one child off with the grandparent's for a few days, swam at the local indoor pool, ridden bikes and broken up a few fights.

Here's to school starting back on Monday!

With these warmer temps {and by warmer I mean 50's, but we'll take it} it has me thinking all things Spring.

Spring means warm and warm means less clothing and less clothing means WHOA, lets get back in shape a bit, shall we?

And getting in some sort of shape means having healthy snacks around when those cravings hit.  I'm not sure how other people are but the hours of 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. are the hardest for me. I love both salty and sweet but in the late afternoons I crave something sweet.

So, ladies and gents...enter in these Peanut Butter Energy Balls.

Let me tell you, after these had been chilling in the freezer for an hour both my girls were BEGGING to try one.  They watched me make them and let's just say they were intrigued.

Neither of them knew what a date was {Mom fail}, nor could they comprehend how just dates, oats and peanut butter could come together and even taste remotely good.  Frankly, I was somehow wondering the same thing.

They both got the first taste test and we all know kids are HONEST.  If they don't like something there will be no hiding their digust.  But, guess what? Their eyes lit up and they wanted another.

At 115 calories, 4 grams of protein, 7 grams of fat and just 8 carbs they are the perfect snack!  And do yourself a favor, store these babies in the freezer.  They taste incredible cold, keep their shape and still have their soft texture.

This batch makes nine, basically one for each afternoon for a week and a couple to share in case you have little ones in your house too sneaking bites.

Skip out on the peanut butter chips if you want {it saves a few calories and sugar} or add them like I did for a bit of crunch in the bite.  Please share if you make these!  I'd love to give you a shout out.

Yield: 9Author: Ally

Peanut Butter Energy Balls

These little bursting bites of peanut butter are a great mid-afternoon snack for a pick-me-up without all the unhealthy ingredients!

prep time: 10 minscook time: total time: 10 mins

ingredients

• 5 Medjool dates (pitted and cut into thirds)
• 4 T old-fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup all-natural, creamy peanut butter
• 1/8 cup peanut butter chips

instructions

1. Using a cutting board, cut the dates in half and remove the pit. Then cut the slices into thirds and place all dates in the food processor.
2. Pulse the dates until chopped and dates form into a ball.
3. Add in the oats, again pulsing to combine until incorporated.
4. Add in the peanut butter pulsing to combine into the date/oat mixture. If it looks too greasy add in another tablespoon of oats.
5. Form the energy ball mixture into 9 balls.
6. Push 4 peanut butter chips into each ball.
7. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and freeze.
8. Eat straight out of the freezer!

Calories
115.81

Fat (grams)
7.93

Sat. Fat (grams)
1.68

Carbs (grams)
8.98

Fiber (grams)
1.47

Net carbs
7.50

Sugar (grams)
4.31

Protein (grams)
3.95

Sodium (milligrams)
74.04

Cholesterol (grams)
0.02

Created using The Recipes Generator