All Natural Peanut Butter Energy Balls

I saw this recipe featured on Dr. Oz show. I do not typically watch this show or any daytime TV but when I was visiting my mom and grandmother I saw a couple episodes as it is their favorite.

Anyway, I thought the idea of an all natural “energy” ball was interesting so I searched for the recipe. Then I made some modifications (as always ) and tried it out over the weekend.

Peanut Butter Energy Balls

Makes about 20 balls (2 Tablespoon size)

Ingredients:

½ cup all natural peanut butter (check the ingredients – peanut butter should only contain peanuts and maybe a bit of salt – that is it! Also, I used chunky but I think smooth will make it easier to form the balls – see my notes below)
1 ½ cup oats or flaxseed meal
¼ cup flaxseeds – optional (a nice addition if you are using oats)
1 Tablespoon honey or agave nectar
½ cup raisins
¼ cup dark chocolate chips (I like Ghirardelli 60% Cocoa Bittersweet Baking Chips)

First, toast the oats (or flaxseed meal) by spreading out on a cookie sheet and putting on a low rack in the oven on broil. If using flaxseeds then mix in with oats and broil together. Broil for about 5 minutes and watch closely! Mix toasted oats with other ingredients. Form balls using approximately 1 ½ – 2 tablespoons of the mixture or can form whatever size you want! Refrigerate at least 1 hour before eating (this makes the balls stick together more).

(Note: I used oats, flaxseeds, agave nectar and chunky peanut butter and found it a bit challenging to form the balls. After a lot of woking with the mixutre and pressing very firmly with my palms, I formed the balls but think it would be easier to use creamy peanut butter and maybe even a bit of honey and not just agave nectar since these may give the mixture more stickiness)

Nutrition for a 2 Tablespoon ball ~130 calories (1 gram fiber).

These energy balls are full of healthy fats and the raisins and chocolate chips provide great energy pre-work out or are great after a workout as well. Since the energy balls are higher in calories from the heart healthy fat from the peanut butter only consume 1 or 2 balls. I like to have a ball or 2 as a snack in the afternoon before my evening workout!!! Enjoy