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Naturally sweetened peanut butter snack balls! They’re convenient, delicious and filled with healthy ingredients and protein. Your whole family will love these no bake peanut butter balls!
*Please note* this post was originally published in 2017. I’ve redone the post text but the recipe remains the same!
I actually did it. I used the word “balls” in a recipe…*sigh*. Well, I suppose I couldn’t avoid it forever. Maybe I could have called them “bites” but come on, let’s be real. They’re balls. Sweet, slightly salty, protein-packed BALLS – and you’ve gotta try them!
I’ve been working on this recipe for months now, but only through very slow trial-and-error. I’d make a batch, decide on a few things that need to be changed, write it down, and try it again a few weeks later when the last batch of balls were eaten up.
You guys, I’ve finally found the winning combination!
Ingredients Needed
Since I wanted to keep these peanut butter balls naturally sweetened, I use Medjool dates and honey in the recipe!
You’ll need:
- Roasted cashews: the cashews add a great flavour and texture to these snack balls, and they also contain a lot of protein!
- Medjool dates: I LOVE using Medjool dates to sweeten snacks and they also make a great binder to hold everything together thanks to their stickiness!
- Oats: Use quick oats for the best results, but you can also use rolled oats
- Peanut butter: My favourite ingredient to use! Make sure it is all natural and smooth and drippy, don’t use rock hard stiff peanut butter in this!
- Honey: The honey is a great sweetener and also helps to keep everything together
- Hemp hearts: The hemp hearts add extra protein to the balls!
- Chocolate: Totally optional, but an extra drizzle of dark chocolate adds the right amount of extra sweetness!
Recipe Tips and Substitutions
- swap the cashews for peanuts if you prefer
- peanut butter can be substituted for almond butter or cashew butter, just be sure it is smooth
- if you prefer to use maple syrup or agave syrup in place of honey, you can!
- replace the hemp hearts for chia seeds as a preference
- add mini M&Ms, mini chocolate chips or even Skor toffee bits
Directions for Making Naturally Sweetened Peanut Butter Snack Balls
This recipe requires a food processor or high powered blender! Use the food processor to first crush up the cashews, then pulse in the dates to make a bit of a “dough”.
Add in the rest of the ingredients and pulse until you’ve got a smooth-ish looking dough. Pop the mixture into the fridge for a little bit to firm up, then take it out and roll out your balls, at whatever size you want! I made about 14.
Storage Tips
These snack balls are ideal for taking along on a trip, and they will keep at room temperature for hours without falling apart or turning into mush.
You can also freeze them in an airtight container and let them thaw overnight in the fridge.
Are These Snack Balls Safe For Babies To Eat?
Since babies under 1 cannot eat honey, you should not serve these to your baby-led-weaning child or baby under 1! I have tried these with maple syrup, and they are still delicious but they do not hold together quite as well as they do with honey.
Some Of My Other Favourite Snacks From The Blog
Some of my other favourite snacks and 3 ingredient recipes from the blog:
- raspberry coconut bites
- no bake chocolate coconut balls
- cottage cheese protein cookies
- coconut peanut butter
- banana oatmeal breakfast cookies
- healthy popcorn balls
Naturally Sweetened Peanut Butter Snack Balls
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 14–16 snack balls 1x
Description
Naturally sweetened peanut butter snack balls! They’re convenient, delicious and filled with protein. Your whole family will love these no bake peanut butter balls!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dry, roasted cashews
- 5 Medjool dates, pits removed
- 1 cup quick oats
- 1/4 cup peanut butter*
- 1/4 cup liquid honey
- 2 tbsp hemp hearts
- Optional: 1 oz dark chocolate
Instructions
- Place the cashews in the bowl of a food processor and pulse in intervals until the cashews are broken into very small bits; don’t pulse too far that you start making cashew butter! Add the dates and continue pulsing until a thick “dough” has formed.
- Add the remaining ingredients, and pulse until a smooth-ish dough comes together, about 10-15 times. Place the mixture into the fridge for 10 minutes to set.
- Placing the finished balls on a parchment lined baking sheet, roll the mixture into equal sized balls until all the mixture is used.
- Optional: Melt 1 oz of chocolate in a small bowl. Use a fork to drizzle the chocolate evenly across the balls. Place in the fridge to set the chocolate.
Snack balls should be stored in the fridge, in an airtight container. They will keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, and for 1-2 days at room temperature.
Notes
- Try almond butter, or seed butter for a nut-free alternative.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Category: snacks
- Method: no bake
- Cuisine: american
I love making oat and peanut butter balls/bites/whatever – so simple yet delicious. However, my versions have never been on the healthy side. I love you’ve added dates, cashews, and hemp. And you know what “the healthy side” means to me? I can eat more of these bites/balls/whatever:)
Sometimes a not-so healthy ball is ok too 😉 But yes!! Making a healthier one definitely means you can eat more! Thanks Ben!
THIS Meal definitely delicious and amazing.I loved your recipes and cooking method.Last night I made Chapli Kabab Recipe from the best cooking network like you.Sharing a link with you: ( https://www.sooperchef.pk ).
Thank you!
These are something we could eat here every single day! Love these and I wish I had a dozen!
Us too!! I always have them in the house for a quick snack these days. Sending you a dozen in spirit 😉 Thanks Marcie!
This is so amazing would love to try this recipe 🙂