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Home » Recipes » Kid Friendly Recipes » High Protein Energy Balls

Last updated on June 15, 2018. Originally posted on July 13, 2011 By Maryea / 132 Comments

High Protein Energy Balls

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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.

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High Protein Energy Balls

High Protein Energy Balls (aka "peanut butter balls") A quick and healthy snack!

★★★★★

4.8 from 5 reviews

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

  • Author: Healthy Happy Mama
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 30 balls 1x
  • Category: Snacks
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale
  • 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)

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.

Nutrition

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

Keywords: protein bites

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @https://www.instagram.com/happyhealthymama/ on Instagram and hashtag it #happyhealthymama

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.

Here's what one commenter said about these High Protein Energy Balls: "I just had to tell you how much my family & I love this recipe! I’ve made it at least a dozen times and they just seem to get better tasting each time. My picky 17-year-old daughter loves them, and I just gave them to my 7-year-old niece last week for breakfast. She loved them so much she asked me to make her a batch to keep at her house. I took them over to her today, and my sister-in-law just called for the recipe. They are such a hit!" This is a quick and easy healthy snack recipe with NO oil, NO flour, and NO refined sugar!

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Filed Under: Kid Friendly Recipes

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. cathy says

    October 13, 2020 at 1:44 pm

    you do not bake these? just bc it said cook time. im making these today .wish me luck.

    Reply
    • Maryea says

      October 14, 2020 at 10:10 am

      No you don’t bake them. The Cook Time is automatically in my recipe card, but there’s not actual cooking time for this recipe.

      Reply
  2. Noman says

    October 22, 2019 at 11:21 am

    Hi Guys that for sharing some good information

    Reply
  3. K says

    April 16, 2019 at 11:09 am

    Perfect snack!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  4. Jyoti says

    December 17, 2018 at 11:50 pm

    Cheacpeas are boild or not? Or soaked?5

    Reply
    • Maryea says

      December 18, 2018 at 4:24 pm

      These are cooked chickpeas. I used canned.

      Reply
  5. Lynn says

    June 22, 2018 at 2:58 am

    This recipe looks amazing. I can’t wait try it, But if I want to use cooked chickpeas in place of canned chickpeas. How much cups of cooked chickpeas should I use.

    Reply
    • Maryea says

      June 22, 2018 at 9:12 am

      1 1/2 cups is approximately 1 can of chickpeas.

      Reply
  6. James says

    May 31, 2018 at 8:09 am

    Very Nice post..
    Thanks for sharing this yummy and delicious recipes ideas with us… Its Reall That “Cooking is the art of life” Every one try to cook some healthy food recipes with us.

    Reply
  7. lauren says

    April 9, 2018 at 10:11 am

    I just found this recipe after searching for homemade alternatives to protein bars and I love this recipe – and your site!
    These are perfect to snack on between classes and workouts and have helped me to stop munching on protein bars.
    I also use almond butter instead of peanut as I find it healthier – not a fan of peanuts.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Maryea says

      April 9, 2018 at 10:40 am

      Thanks, Lauren! I’ve made these with almond butter, also, and agree, it makes them more nutritious.

      Reply
  8. Ronnie says

    January 31, 2018 at 2:57 pm

    Hey, these look great! How long do you they last for out of the fridge? Do they have a long shelf life? Thanks 🙂 xx

    Reply
    • Maryea says

      February 1, 2018 at 6:35 am

      We keep them in the fridge because I think they taste better chilled. I send them in the kids’ lunchboxes, though, so they do fine for half a day out of the fridge. I’m not sure how long they’d last though. They will last a good week in the fridge.

      Reply
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