These Peanut Butter Coconut Balls are a perfect energizing snack. Sweet, nutty, and loaded with flavor. Absolutely delicious. Also, super easy to make and packed with nutrients and superfoods. Totally addictive!
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It looks like snacks are in high demand at the moment. That's no wonder, really. We are still at home, working, and homeschooling. Stressing about all sorts of things, mostly about what's coming AFTER this unfortunate pandemic event.
Sorting out our "new normal" life is not easy. This high stress makes us look for snacks that will boost our energy and mood. I'm glad to see that many of you reach out for healthier snack options, rather than store-bought high-sugar ones. Glad to see you're following my tips on foods you need to stop buying at the grocery store to keep your immunity strong and healthy. Well done!
After last week and HUGE success of Peanut Butter Protein Balls, with my family and on the internet, I decided to make another batch. My husband asked to make him again something peanuty, delicious, and energizing. So I made another round of energy balls. This time I included one of my favorite flavor - coconut.
These Peanut Butter Coconut Balls turned out to be a smash. They are delicious. Coconuty, peanuty. Sweet and munchy. Addictive and so satisfying. But above all, so HEALTHY. No-bake, gluten-free, packed with WHOLESOME ingredients, filled with oats, coconut, and energizing peanut butter. Plus, so easy to make. Win!
Ingredients used
To make these protein-packed beauties, you will need ONLY 5 simple pantry ingredients:
- OATS: I used rolled oats. Oats are excellent source of fiber, especially beta-glucan, a type of soluble fiber, that is known for its power to reduce LDL and total cholesterol levels, thus keep heart healthy. (1) Beta-glucan is also known to reduce blood sugar levels and insulin response, and support growth of good bacteria in the digestive tract. (2, 3) Furthermore, oats are high in vitamins, minerals, and powerful antioxidants, as well as proteins. (4) Oats are great source of energy and fullness that's why I highly recommend to include oats in your everyday healthy diet.
- PEANUT BUTTER: I used creamy all natural peanut butter here. Peanut butter is versatile protein-packed spread that is not only super tasty but super healthy too. It’s packed with proteins and healthy fats, as well with fibers. (5) Peanut butter is low in carbs and suitable for people with type 2 diabetes or those following a low-carb diet. Also, half of the fat in peanut butter is made up of oleic acid, a healthy type of monounsaturated fat that promotes good heart health.
- COCONUT CHIPS: Coconut chips, or coconut flakes, are basically the coconut meat sliced into long strips. Coconut is loaded with nutrients - mostly fat and fibers, that provide many benefits for our health. Around 89% of the coconut fat is saturated fat (6) and while saturated fat has bad reputation of being unhealthy if consumed in high amounts, most of the coconut fats are medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are absorbed intact in your small intestine and used by your body to produce energy (7). Also, most of the fibers in coconut meat are insoluble, meaning that it doesn’t get digested. Instead, it helps to keep our digestive system healthy and aids bowel health. You can snack coconut chips on his own, make Toasted Cinnamon Coconut Chips - so yummy, or use them to make no-bake energy balls. In this recipe, I used unsweetened coconut chips. Raw, unflavored and super healthy, it’s perfect for making this treat.
- SWEETENER: To sweeten these coconut energy bites, I used raw honey. Raw honey is unrefined sweetener with many health benefits. It gives subtle sweetness yet won’t overload the balls with much sugary calories. For vegan version, you can use maple or date syrup.
- HEMP SEEDS: To boost these coconut energy bites with some extra superfood super-powers, I also added some hemp seeds. Hemp seeds are packed with omega-6 and omega-3 essential fatty acids but also a great source of high-quality proteins.
To spice things up a bit, I added some Ceylon cinnamon. Beside wonderful flavor, cinnamon added some more health benefits too. Of course, I added a splash of vanilla too, just to make these beauties more irresistible.
How to make Peanut Butter Coconut Balls
Usually, to make energy balls, you would need a food processor. But these Peanut Butter Coconut Balls require no extra equipment – only mixing bowl and spatula.
- Start with preparing and measuring all ingredients using measuring cups.
- In a large mixing bowl add honey, peanut butter and vanilla. Mix using spatula or whisk until you get nice tick and sticky mixture.
- Add in oats, coconut flakes, cinnamon and hemp seeds. Mix everything together using spatula.
- Using a spoon, scoop out the dough and roll between your palms to form a little bite-size ball. Repeat with remaining dough.
- Place balls on a plate, serving tray or in an airtight container and refrigerate to harden.
- Makes 10-12 (big, around two-bites) balls. Recommended serving size is 1 ball.
PRO TIPS:
- If peanut butter is too hard, microwave it for a few seconds to soften.
- Use natural soft peanut butter. Crunchy won’t work well here.
- If you notice that mixture is to dry and crumbly, add a teaspoon of warm water.
- If coconut flakes are too large (chunky), you can shred them in a grinder or food processor.
Substitutions
- Substitute ground HEM SEEDS with ground chia seeds or flax seeds.
- You can add 2 scoops of protein powder or collagen powder to boost proteins.
- Substitute HONEY with maple syrup or date syrup.
- You can substitute peanut butter with almond butter, or any nut butter or nut-free butter.
- FOR GLUTEN-FREE: Use certified gluten-free oats.
- FOR VEGAN: Use maple syrup.
Tips for storing
- Keep covered in air-tight food container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
- HOW TO FREEZE: Place balls in a zip-lock bag. Keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw for 10 minutes on room temperature.
Everything about these Peanut Butter Coconut Balls is absolutely amazing. They are:
- no-bake and made with only few simple pantry ingredients,
- full of high-quality dietary fibers that promote good digestion, weight loss, and a healthy digestive system,
- loaded with proteins,
- rich in healthy omega-3s,
- free of refined sugars,
- gluten-free and vegan,
- low in calories, kid-friendly and very satisfying,
- perfect post-workout energizing bite,
- perfect everyday snack for whole family.
These coconut energy bites are in one word PERFECT. Sweet, chewy, filled with wonderful flavors. Energizing and mood boosting. And totally guilt-free. I love to have one or two balls in the morning before my yoga practice. Hope you'll find them delicious too. Enjoy!
📖 Recipe
Peanut Butter Coconut Balls recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ⅓ cup coconut chips
- ¼ cup hemp seeds
- 1 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl add 2 tablespoon honey, ½ cup creamy peanut butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Mix using spatula or whisk until you get nice tick and sticky mixture.
- Add in ½ cup rolled oats, ⅓ cup coconut chips, ¼ cup hemp seeds and 1 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon. Mix everything together using spatula.
- Using a spoon, scoop out the dough and roll between your palms to form a ball. Repeat with remaining dough.
- Place balls on a plate, serving tray or in an airtight container and refrigerate to harden.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Substitute ground HEM SEEDS with ground chia seeds or flax seeds.
You can add 2 scoops of protein powder or collagen powder to boost proteins.
Substitute HONEY with maple syrup or date syrup.
You can substitute peanut butter with almond butter, or any nut butter or nut-free butter.
FOR GLUTEN-FREE: Use certified gluten-free oats.
FOR VEGAN: Use maple syrup. Nutritional Disclaimer
Wendy says
These are so good - a snack I could never get tired of!
Glenda says
Yum! We love these! I even packed them to use as a snack on a recent walk to the park with my grandkids. They loved them and thought they were given the most special treat. Glad I could share one as healthy as these! Thanks!