cooking lesson #560: no-bake healthy peanut butter energy balls

…from the Perspectives’ Kitchen

How you doin’? I’m not bashful about my love of anything peanut butter including these No-Bake Healthy Peanut Butter Energy Balls. They are the perfect quick and easy snack!
 
This recipe is made with only 5 ingredients (probably in your pantry), and they are not baked. They can be ready in less than 30-minutes and they are so delicious, too. And they're fun for the kids to make, too!
 
This healthy snack recipe can be easily customized too—feel free to add in chocolate, raisins, and chopped peanuts. Peanut butter is the main ingredient in this recipe. Use a smooth and runny peanut butter like Crazy Richard’s brand which only contains peanuts and salt as ingredients.
 
Use honey or agave syrup as the sweetener of choice. Remember, it is still a refined sugar that has the same calories as granulated white sugar. Use old fashioned or quick-cooked oats. Cinnamon and peanut butter is a great flavor thrill and gives my peanut butter balls the best flavor. Add a touch of pure vanilla extract and a pinch of salt for take-it-over-the top flavors.
 
Prep time:  15 minutes
Yield:  12–15 peanut balls
 
Ingredients 
1 cup peanut butter, natural and runny
1/4 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-1/2 cup oats
1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
pinch of salt
 
Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl combine the peanut butter, honey, and vanilla extract until smooth.
2. Add in the oats, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.  Combine evenly.
3. Roll about tablespoon sized scoops of the mixture into balls.  Place them on a plate.
4. Place the plate in a fridge for 10-20 minutes to set.
5. Enjoy!
6. Store these Healthy Peanut Butter Energy Balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator. These will keep for about a week! Or, freeze them for up to a month or so.

ChefSecret:  There are a whole host of other ingredients you can add to my energy balls—white, milk, or dark chocolate chips. You could even add in chopped dates, raisins or craisins, shredded coconut or other crushed nuts. Or, you can dip them in chocolate coating … basically anything you like!

Quip of the Day:  “I was going to cook alligator for dinner tonight, but realized I only had a crock-pot.”
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Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to ed@perspectives-la.com. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/covid-19-survival-guide.
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To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, be positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to Feeding America and/or American Red Cross.

#Snacks #NoBakeSnack #PeanutButter #PeanutButterBall #Oats #Honey #CrazyRichards #2023Recipes #QuarantineKitchen #Covid19 #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup
 
                                                       ©Perspectives/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2023​

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