Crispy Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls

Two-bite crispy chocolate peanut butter energy balls are just what you need when you’re looking for an afternoon pick-me-up. Dates add a touch of natural sweetness and peanut butter, chia, and flax add plenty of filling protein.

March 25 is a special day: chocolate peanut butter day! Or at least the official unofficial chocolate peanut butter day. There are a ton random food holidays out there – from garlic day to margarita day – but until last year there was no day devoted to celebrating one of the most classic flavor combinations around: chocolate and peanut butter. Obviously that needed to get fixed. which is why today Carla of Chocolate Moosey and Miriam of Overtime Cook are hosting the second annual chocolate peanut butter day!

I didn’t participate in last year’s event because I couldn’t think of a healthy recipe to feature these two ingredients, but this year I was inspired by my favorite peanut butter cup green smoothie and make these chocolate peanut butter energy balls. I’ve been eating them all week, and they’re seriously good.

These chocolate peanut butter energy balls are sweetened with dates, so they’re sweet but don’t set me off on a sugar rampage. They’re the perfect nibble to combat that 3pm slump. I added crisp brown rice cereal to give them some texture and crunch, but you can play around with whatever you happen to have around. Rolled oats would work well, but you can also try chopped nuts or even a small handful of cocoa nibs.

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Crispy Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls

Yield: 12

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

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Ingredients

• 1 cup pitted dates
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
• 1/4 cup natural peanut butter
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 tablespoon flax meal
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1 pinch sea salt
• 1/2 cup crisp brown rice cereal
• cocoa powder for dusting (optional)

Instructions

2. Soak the dates in hot water for 5-10 minutes, or until soft and plump. Drain.
3. Add the dates and coconut oil to a food processor or high speed blender. Process until a smooth paste is formed, about 30 seconds (scrape down the sides as needed.) Add the peanut butter, cocoa powder, vanilla, flax meal, and chia seeds. Process until smooth – it should resemble a thick brownie batter. Transfer the paste to a mixing bowl; stir in the brown rice cereal.
4. Roll the mixture into tablespoon-sized balls. Dust with cocoa powder if desired.
5. Store in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Information

Amount Per Serving Calories 93Total Fat 5gFiber 3gProtein 3g

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If you love chocolate + peanut butter, check out the rest of the treats people are sharing for Chocolate Peanut Butter Day!

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