Chickpea Energy Balls

Life is never dull with a 2 year old around.  They have a seemingly endless supply of energy.  They love to get involved with whatever their parents are doing.

In this case, they like to get involved in whatever Mommy is doing.  And Mommy was trying to take a few photos of the energy balls for her blog.  The operative word being trying. By the end of the shoot, I needed a few energy balls.

Have I mentioned that I’m pretty clueless when it comes to photography?  I want to learn more, but there is so much to learn with a limited amount of time to devote to the skill.  Lighting drives me crazy.  All the experts say that the biggest no-no is using a flash with food.  But there’s never enough light in my house to not use a flash.  So I move Meghan’s Ikea table every which way trying to find a spot where there’s enough light, but not a million crazy shadows.  And I have no idea what I’m doing.

Meghan was my big helper today.

Her first idea was to have her plastic eggplant toy in the shot.  Yes, she’s just out of bed, in her pajamas in these pics.

Then she thought she should be the star of the show.

But I was the director, and I put my foot down.  We moved the shoot outside for more light.  Meghan still thought she should be included in the pictures.

In an attempt to get a few shots without her, I told her to run to the tree and back.  But she still made it into the shots.

Then, I saw her tiny hand.

And I knew this shoot was almost over.Mmmmm.  One is never enough with these tasty bites.  {I couldn’t bring myself to call them balls right there.}

So I hope you won’t judge my photographs too harshly.  Though I’m trying to learn as fast as I can, I have an even faster two year old to keep up with.

Despite the photos, these High Protein Energy Balls are worth trying.  They make a delicious snack that stays with you and gives you the energy you need to keep up with a little one, or whatever it is in your life that requires stamina.

I like to cook my own beans when I can, but when I used canned beans I prefer Eden Organics.  Eden Foods is one of the few companies that uses BPA-free cans, their beans have muuuuuuch less sodium than regular canned beans, and they use kombu seaweed, which helps with, ahem, digestion.  I love this brand! (They didn’t ask me to say that; they don’t even know who I am.)

My Cuisinart Food Processor makes these SO easy to make!  It’s my favorite kitchen appliance. I make these Peanut Butter Protein Balls with it as well!

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High Protein Energy Balls

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4.8 from 5 reviews

• Author: Healthy Happy Mama
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 30 balls 1x

Print Recipe

Print Recipe

Description

These High-Protein Snack Balls are made with chickpeas and they are always a hit!

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Ingredients

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• 1/2 cup almonds
• 1 can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 3/4 cup natural peanut butter
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4–1/2 cup chocolate chips (optional)

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Instructions

1. Line a tray that will fit in your freezer with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. In a food processor, process the almonds until they are a fine crumb.
3. Add the chickpeas and process until they are fully broken down.
4. Next, add the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla and process until you have a smooth mixture.
5. Remove the blade from the processor and stir in the chocolate chips, if using.
6. Roll the mixture into small balls and place on your tray.
7. Continue until you use all the mixture; you should have 30 balls.
8. Freeze for at least 20 minutes before serving.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Snacks
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 ball
• Calories: 92
• Sugar: 4.2g
• Sodium: 32.9mg
• Fat: 4.9g
• Carbohydrates: 11.9g
• Fiber: 2.1g
• Protein: 3g

You can store them in the freezer and just defrost them a bit before serving, or you can store them in the refrigerator.

Don’t let the chickpeas scare you.  I’ve seen chickpeas being used all around the blogosphere as a base for everything from dessert hummus to cookies, and have had it in my mind to try a creation for  while.  You can’t  taste the chickpeas at all and they add a nice protein punch.

I actually think the balls taste a lot like Buckeyes (chocolate-covered peanut butter balls for those of you who aren’t from the Midwest).  I might try to use this as a base for a healthier version of the traditional treat around Christmas time.

Each ball is just 92 calories (78 if you don’t use the chocolate chips) and has 3 grams of protein.  For a normal snack, you’d eat 2-3 balls, depending on your caloric needs, so you’ll get 6-9 grams of protein, a nice amount for a snack.  You’ll also get about 2 grams of fiber per ball.

These balls are perfect for little hands; they make a wholesome toddler snack.  Not that toddlers need more energy.  😉

You can store them in the freezer and just defrost them a bit before serving, or you can store them in the refrigerator.