Simple and easy! Replace store bought granola bars with tasty Peanut Butter Cacao Energy Balls! They are gluten-free, tree-nut free, egg-free & packed with protein and fiber!
I love that the energy balls are lightly and naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup. No-baking required!!
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No peanut butter for you? Try Gluten Free High Energy Cacao Balls that are made with a less-allergen sensitive nut butter.
The combination of ingredients is what gives us energy right when we need it! Oats, peanut butter, raw coconut, organic cacao powder, and chia seeds are powerful together!
It’s a simple recipe with all the ingredients placed in a mixing bowl or tossed in the food processor. Mix together and begin rolling them into balls. They stay together well for travel or packing in a lunch.
Ingredients in Peanut Butter Cacao Energy Balls
Gluten Free Oats.
Oats are packed with both insolvable and soluble fiber creating a perfect for balancing blood sugar levels. Oats are a good source of protein with 6 grams per in one cup.
They are an excellent nutrient dense food to add to your diet. Oats are high in manganese, phosphorus and potassium, which are vital for a healthy metabolism and aid in digestion as well.
Cacao Powder.
Note the difference between cocoa powder and cacao powder. Cacao powder is made from raw cacao, meaning it’s cold-pressed from uncooked cacao beans. This allows the cacao to keep important enzymes. A simpler way of looking at it is, it’s unrefined cocoa. Cacao powder is a wonderful superfood and for good reason.
“Raw Cacao powder has more than 300 photochemicals and nearly four times the antioxidant power of regular dark chocolate, and contains protein, calcium, carotene, thiamin, riboflavin, magnesium and sulfur. Cacao can improve heart health, cholesterol, relieve stress levels, and inflammation.” Dr. Mercola (Cacao Fun Facts at www.foodfacts.mercola.com)
For more details on the complete process check out “What is the Difference Between Cacao vs. Cocoa?” by Righteously Raw.
Raw Coconut and Chia Seeds.
The health benefits of consuming raw coconut include improved digestion and providing an immediate source of energy for the body. Coconut supports the absorption of nutrients and amino acids into our body.
Chia seeds are super nutrient dense and give a boost of energy to our bodies when consumed. Compared to other seeds, chia seeds are easily digested. Chia seeds contain high fiber content making them an excellent food for balancing blood sugar. Chia seeds contain 4 grams of protein per ounce.
Organic Peanut Butter.
Peanut butter is packed with potassium and magnesium! It gives energy due to the high content of vitamin b-3, which is known for energy production and boosting our metabolism.
I emphasis purchasing organic peanut butter due to growing conditions of peanuts. In the south, peanut fields are rotated with cotton fields. Unfortunately conventional grown cotton uses an incredible amount of pesticides and insecticides, in fact more than any other single grown crop.
Printable Recipe: Peanut Butter Cacao Energy Balls
Peanut Butter Cacao Energy Balls
An excellent source of quick energy. They are easy to prepare and pack for travel. Gluten Free & Tree Nut free.
Ingredients
- 1 c. gluten-free old fashioned oats organic
- 1/2 c. unsweetened finely shredded coconut organic
- 1/2 c. creamy unsweetened peanut butter organic
- 1/3 c. Enjoy Life dark chocolate chips
- 1/4 c. pure maple syrup
- 2 T. chia seeds organic
- 2 T. organic cacao powder organic
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
Instructions
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In a food processor, add the oats, chia seeds, peanut butter, coconut, maple syrup and vanilla. Pulse until the mixture begins to form a ball.
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Scoop out the dough into a glass mixing bowl. Stir in chocolate chips. (Enjoy Life semi-sweet chocolate chips can be substituted for the dark chocolate chips.)
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Using a tablespoon, form the mixture into balls. Makes 20 balls. Place on parchment paper to store or your desired dish.
These balls freeze well! Less than 2 grams of sugar per ball. Enjoy!
Where to Find the Ingredients (at the best prices):
Shop online for the best prices on organic gluten free oats, shredded coconut, organic black chia seeds and Enjoy Life or Lily’s sugar-free dark chocolate chips. My local health food co-op sells creamy organic peanut butter at a great price. You can also buy one the top brands of organic peanut butter online at Thrive Market.
Peanut Butter Cacao Energy Balls are terrific for people or families that are on the go. No baking required for this snack! You are have two options; toss the ingredients in a food processor or mix up everything by hand.
Snack for Active People: Our family enjoys those energy balls as a mid-morning snack. We find they are easy to take with you for a long day on the road, or when you plan a day hiking or a biking excursion. The recipe is very simple and can be a great for those that are new to the kitchen or kids learning to enjoy food preparations.
What do you like best about these energy balls? Its’ fun to hear from readers, comment with an activity that you packed these little Peanut Butter Cacao Energy balls.
Pursuing better health together,