These power balls make a great little snack or treat. There are two versions…
1. The Chocolate/Peanut Version (pictured):
I recently bought my first bar of unsweetened chocolate (100% cacao)…and to steal vocabulary from my 5-year-old, it tasted disgusting! However, in some magical way the combination of ingredients in this recipe below make the cacao taste like “regular” chocolate. I have to thank a 100 Days of Real Food reader for introducing me to a version of this recipe. I would have never thought to put these items together and now we can’t stop eating them!
Chocolate Peanut-Butter Power Balls
This power balls recipe make a great little snack or treat. There are two versions…
Ingredients
- ¾ cup nuts, I used pecans
- ¾ cup dates, dried, pitted
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter, an all natural PB is recommended - the only ingredient necessary is crushed peanuts
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients into a food processor and blend.
Form into balls and serve immediately or keep refrigerated.
- For a slightly different variation without peanut butter check out the chocolate torte recipe.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Facts
2. The Peanut/Honey Version:
This recipe is from a friend of a friend and you can get creative with adding extras.
Peanut Honey Power Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup peanut butter, an all natural PB is recommended - the only ingredient necessary is crushed peanuts
- 1 cup honey
- 3 cups oats, rolled
- 1 cup nuts, or dried fruit
Coating Options
- granola
- unsweetened coconut flakes
- nuts, crushed
Instructions
- Mix the first four ingredients together thoroughly.
Form them into balls then roll them in the crushed nuts, granola cereal, or unsweetened coconut.
- Serve or refrigerate.
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Hi. If I sent these to school for an afternoon snack, do you think they would “hold up” until the afternoon? Thanks!
Yes! Lisa has sent them in her kids’ lunch boxes before. – Nicole
Hey, this recipe has changed! I used to make it all the time, and the recipe called for an ounce or two from a cacao bar. Now it calls for powder. Where’s the original recipe? (I used to make it and loved it. We took a break from peanuts for a while, so I haven’t made it. I’d love to have the original recipe back.)
These are so satisfying! I only had medjool dates and had to pit them first, but this is a really great recipe and super quick to throw together! Thank you!!
I have a proablem with my sugar levels dropping all the time so im trying these to see if they help me out. Also to have healthier snacks.
LOVE these! I’ve been making these for my very picky boys…
Modifications that I have been doing: I cut the honey down over time to 1/3 a cup, and just add more peanut butter.
Also, for peanut butter cup fans…I’ve been adding unsweetened cocoa powder to make a chocolate peanut butter version. Now, it’s not a reese’s, but they taste pretty darn good!
My kids eat these quicker than I can make them! Thank you again for helping us find real food recipes!!!
I am a chocolate fanatic but I decided to try the peanut honey powerballs. They are amazing and fulfilled my craving even though there was no chocolate in it. I also made some for my office and recieved high praises.
I made the peanut butter version today for the kids it was sickeningly sweet and no amount of extra peanut butter seemed to fix it. It made alot, so I wound up throwing alot away. I also used the almond meal (leftover from my almond milk) instead of nuts. Next time I’ll use 1/4 C honey.
I made the “date” version for a church social and set it aside for our diabetics – they all loved them. Instead of nuts I used the leftover almond meal from the almond milk. I didn’t have medjool dates but I added 5 deglet noor dates instead.
Oops ! I also used cocoa powder, it’s what I had ! :)
I also used coco powder.
Can you give a nutrition count on these? Calories? Protein? Fat grams and such? Just want to make sure I’m staying within my guidelines. :) But they are delish!
Hi there. That is not information that we provide. This post helps explain that philosophy: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2013/01/04/healthy-eating-defined/.
Are the rolled oats supposed to be cooked or just straight from the bag?
Hi. No, they are not cooked. Think no-bake cookies. :)
So sickly sweet for us. Wish I used less honey! This unfortunately was a big waste.
Ever since I was little I’ve made “peanut butter balls”- peanut butter, honey & dried milk to de-stick them (and add extra protein & caciun-shhh!) now my kids love to mix this up as a quick snack. No measuring necessary! Just plop some PB in a bowl, drizzle a little honey & add enough powdered milk to make it roll-able. Make as little or as much as you like. So good!
Sorry if this has been asked before but are these freezable?
Absolutely.
I see the recipe says 100% cacao, but then it says chocolate bar. Can I just use powdered 100% cacao?
Yes! :)
Has anyone made these with seeds to make a nut free version for preschool?
Hi Lisa. You can find Lisa’s nut free Lara Bars here: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2012/07/01/recipe-homemade-larabars-4-ways-including-nut-free/. And here you will find some for everyone: http://picklebums.com/2015/03/02/15-snack-balls/.