I’m a new member of Recipe Redux, a recipe challenge group founded by dietitians that is centered on food that is both delicious and nutritious. I admire the RDs that created the group—Regan Jones of Healthy Aperture and Serena Ball and Deanna Segrave-Daly of Teaspoon of Spice—and am honored to be accepted as a member. This is my first Redux post (eeee!). The January challenge is to use a new (or new to me) ingredient in a healthy recipe that I modify or create. I love this stuff! I chose peanut powder. I have never bought, used or tasted it before, but have been curious. I’ve seen it used in smoothies, but I wanted to do something different.

My kids are snackers. Every now and then my husband frets that they don’t eat enough at dinner and he blames snack time. As long as I know their snacks are contributing to their nutrient needs, I feel comfortable with them consuming what they need whether it’s meal time or snack time. Accounting for day-to-day and meal-to-snack variability, I know that overall they get what they need (even if they don’t touch dinner sometimes). I try to offer nutritious foods at snack—yogurt, fruits, veggies, nuts, cheese—but that’s not what they always want. It’s my turn to feel bugged when they eat less nutritious snack foods and then do not eat their meal.

Enter Peanut Power Balls! The kids are satisfied and feel like they’re eating a treat. I’m happy knowing they’re taking in protein, fiber, healthy fats, minerals and antioxidants without a bunch of sugar and fillers. It’s a win-win!

Ingredients

The peanut powder is made of defatted peanuts, which leaves the protein in a powder that is lower in fat and calories. In these energy balls, that leaves room for other ingredients that bring the fat without making them too energy dense. Dried coconut is a good source of fiber, iron and trace minerals, including copper and manganese. Cacao nibs are crushed cacao beans—think “unprocessed chocolate.” They add chocolatey flavor, a deeply satisfying crunch and are an excellent source of fiber and iron (not to mention protein, antioxidants and the under-consumed potassium and magnesium). Dates hold this snack together, adding a light sweet flavor as a natural, unprocessed source of sugar. They are a dried fruit rich in potassium, magnesium, manganese and copper. Overall, Peanut Powerballs provide protein, fiber, fat and a medley of minerals—an excellent, kid-friendly snack in my estimation!

And the best part? Peanut Power Balls are FAST and EASY to make! Simply process all the ingredients in a food processor until you have a uniform mixture, shape into balls (kids can help with this part) and ENJOY!

Did you make this recipe? Let me know what you think in the comments!

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Peanut Power Balls

These Peanut Power Balls are my new go-to energy balls. The flavor and texture are divine and the kids LOVE them! Made with peanut powder and cacao nibs, this no-bake recipe has all the flavor and half as much sugar as an energy ball recipe using peanut butter and chocolate chips! They make a great snack for kids and grown-ups any time. They’re an excellent option before or after a workout or sports practice.

Course

Snack

Keyword

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Prep Time

15 minutes

Servings

Ingredients

• 1 cup pitted dates (9-10 dates)
• 1/4 cup peanut powder
• 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
• 1/4 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1/4 cup cacao nibs

Course Snack Keyword chocolate peanut butter energy balls, chocolate peanut energy balls, easy, energy balls vegan, gluten free, grain free, healthy, healthy snack, high protein, kid-friendly, no bake energy balls, no cook, nuts, peanut benefits, peanut butter, peanut nutrition, peanut powder recipe, plant based, powdered peanut recipe, power balls recipe, powerball recipe, snack, vegan Prep Time 15 minutes Servings Ingredients 1 cup pitted dates (9-10 dates) 1/4 cup peanut powder 1/4 cup chopped peanuts 1/4 cup shredded unsweetened coconut 1/4 cup cacao nibs

Instructions

1. Place all ingredient in a food processor and blend until a uniform mixture forms.
2. Scoop a heaping tablespoon of mix and press and roll between hands to form a ball.
3. Yield: 10-11 balls

Recipe Notes

Shortcut: Press mixture into a plastic wrap-lined square dish (4x8”). Place in refrigerator and chill. Cut into square bites. Store in refrigerator.