|

Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls Recipe

These chocolate peanut butter no bake energy bites are the perfect post-workout breakfast or snack. Almost good enough to run for…

I’ve done a terrible thing…

Last year was a bad year for my running. I suffered injury after injury and I promised myself that, if I could just get back on track, I would give it my best shot. I would be fitter than ever, with more miles covered in fewer minutes. Injury-free.

After months of carefully building up my weekly running mileage, obsessively checking myself for injuries and willing myself out into the cold at 6am, the hard work and patience has paid off. No recurring injuries and my highest regular weekly mileage. I was feeling ready for a challenge.

So, what else was left to do but sign up for a half marathon? I’ve only run one other half marathon and it was really hard work. As most runners will tell you, race day itself is a mixture of exhaustion and elation. The buzz of running with so many others who have all trained to get to that moment is exhilarating. And it most definitely carried me along towards the end, just before you’re close enough to the finish line to feel comforted.

But, when I start thinking about a training plan, all I can remember are the long runs in the lead up to the race. That sinking feeling on a Sunday afternoon, knowing I would have to drag myself outside, rain or shine. The good news is that I’m already better prepared than last time and with double the training time. That’s what I’m trying to remind myself as I sit here now wondering what the hell I was thinking. That, and the fact that this race will be along the seafront at the end of June. Even with British weather, that’s something.

Another thought that crossed my mind was ‘man, will I still be able to eat cake?!’ I quickly laughed that one off. Of course I can still eat cake. But ramping up my training does give me a good excuse to experiment and find healthy food that still tastes amazing.

That brings me onto these chocolate peanut butter no bake energy bites. I see energy bites everywhere, healthy living blogs, anti-healthy living blogs.. and they always look and sound incredible. The endless combinations you can create, plus the fact that they’re good for you, finally encouraged me to make some up for post-run breakfasts and snacks. And they very quickly became a favorite. So maybe exercise isn’t such a bad thing?

These energy bites are so easy to make and are so tasty! You honestly won’t believe that they’re good for you, because I didn’t either. They consist of 6 simple, wholesome ingredients:

  1. Dates
  2. Peanut butter
  3. Cacao powder
  4. Chia seeds
  5. Flaxseeds
  6. Almond

The cacao powder, in my opinion, is what sets these energy bites apart. Raw cacao, unlike regular cocoa powder, is as the name suggests raw and one of the least processed way you can eat chocolate. It’s rich in antioxidants and high in magnesium. Unlike a lot of cocoa powders you use in baking, it doesn’t contain any added sugars, milk fats or oils. Not only is it good for you, it has a really rich, gorgeously chocolatey flavor. Since first discovering it a few months ago, I have added it to baking, protein shakes and smoothies and even porridge (or oatmeal for my US friends). And I absolutely love it in these energy bites. Just 1 tablespoon imparts a really full chocolatey taste that will satisfy any sweet tooth!

Combine rich chocolate with peanut butter and you’re onto a winner right? For extra goodness, I added chia seeds and flax seeds, along with chopped almonds for a nice texture and added protein. Feel free to play around with these ingredients and create whatever combinations take your fancy! The dates are the main bulk of these bites and I do recommend going for medjool dates which are larger and sweeter, but if you can’t get hold of any, deglet nour or whatever variety you have on hand will be fine. If the dates are dry and difficult to form into a paste in your food processor, just put them into a mug, fill until just covered with boiling water and let them sit for 10 minutes before draining, drying with kitchen towel and then processing.

They really are the perfect breakfast or snack, coming together in just minutes and giving you a bit old hit of protein, keeping you full all morning! Anyway, I’ll let you get on and make these. Just don’t underestimate how more-ish they are! I have had to ration my supply because my will power really isn’t all that strong.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bites

Yields 8
These chocolate peanut butter no bake energy bites are the perfect post-workout breakfast or snack. Almost good enough to run for…
Ingredients
  1. 100g whole almonds
  2. 225g dates
  3. 2 tbsp peanut butter*
  4. 1 tbsp raw cacao powder
  5. 1 tbsp chia seeds
  6. 2 tbsp ground flaxseeds
Instructions
  1. To chop up the almonds, put them into your food processor or blender and whizz until roughly chopped. Put into a medium bowl and set aside.
  2. Put the dates into your food processor or blender and pulse until it forms a rough paste and starts coming together into a ball. Be careful not to over-process, or it will be very sticky.
  3. Add the peanut butter, cacao powder, chia seeds, flaxseeds and chopped almonds and mix until evenly combined. Alternatively, you can scrape the date paste into your medium bowl and mix together by hand or using a wooden spoon.
  4. Use your hands to roll the paste into 8-10 balls, rolling between your palms until smooth.
  5. Put them into an airtight container and chill in the fridge for up to 30 minutes to set.
  6. Keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.
Notes
  1. * You can go for smooth or crunchy, depending on which texture you prefer.

 

Previous

Why I’ll Be Buying My Next Car With A Car Loan

Discovering the Hidden Gems of the Carolina Coast

Next

Leave a Comment