Protein Balls | No Bake Gluten Free Vitality Bites

Prep Time : 15 minutes minutes

Cook dinner Time : 0 minutes minutes

Hold your loved ones energized all through the day with these tasty and wholesome protein balls snacks which can be naturally gluten free.

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These no-bake protein balls are scrumptious, satisfying, and straightforward to make. Made at dwelling, these protein balls prices about 20¢ every to make; purchase them in a retailer, they could value you about $1.79 every (no joke).

If your loved ones is all the time hungry, like mine appears to be, these bites are the proper snack to have round. They’re even nice for breakfast on the go.

What makes these protein balls particular

I had been making these peanut butter protein balls for months and months (and taking them in all places with me) earlier than I even considered sharing the recipe with anybody. They’re so lifeless easy that when folks requested for the recipe, I simply recited it from reminiscence as greatest I may.

I largely make them utilizing hemp seeds, that are so protein-packed it is ridiculous. Once I began making them, nobody may fairly be anticipated to seek out hemp seeds, so I figured the recipe wasn’t value sharing.

However then, as typically occurs, I spied with my little eye a bundle of hulled hemp seeds at my native Dealer Joe’s. And identical to that, it was time to share!

I am not exaggerating after I let you know that I make these protein balls each month of the yr. The massive glass jar you see within the photograph above (and within the video) is one I hold stocked with protein snacks (okay, or generally cookies) as typically as doable. And my complete household actually misses them when the final one within the jar is eaten!

There aren’t many substances in them, and despite the fact that they include sugar (honey is sugar, in spite of everything), the oats, coconut, and seeds are pure well being meals. Only one chew incorporates 6 grams of protein, and satisfying sufficient to get me via the afternoon stoop.

Even when my children have been nonetheless hitting progress spurts that emptied the cabinets usually, three protein balls have been often sufficient to tide them over. They usually beat a handful of Oreos any day!

As an alternative choice to the bite-sized power snack state of affairs, I even have the proper recipe for selfmade protein bars. They’re made with oats and protein powder, and there are many totally different taste variations. Someway, they’ve the feel of a brownie.

Protein balls substances record

• Quaint rolled oats – If you cannot have oats, strive selecting a substitute for oats.
• Coconut flakes – a scrumptious, nutritious binder stuffed with wholesome fat
• Hemp seeds – I like these, however you may also strive chia, hulled sunflower, pumpkin, or flax seeds
• Oat flour – I simply grind oats myself to make this flour
• Salt – a should for balancing all of the totally different flavors
• Peanut butter – clean, no-mix peanut butter works greatest; pure peanut butter is often too runny
• Honey – or maple syrup – helps to bind the recipe substances whereas including a contact of sweetness
• Vanilla extract – only a bit provides such huge taste
• Mini chocolate chips – add extra sweetness with out taking these overboard

These protein balls are (primarily) no-bake

This actually is a no-bake recipe whenever you make it as written. However I can not inform a lie: I virtually all the time toast the oats, coconut, and seeds in a 300°F oven for about quarter-hour in the beginning.

You could not wish to placed on the oven for one thing that ought to be no-bake. However I’ve my oven on each single day of the yr (occupational hazard) anyway, summer time included.

Toasting the oats, coconut, and seeds actually does intensify and deepen the flavors. But when the oven merely is not an choice, you would additionally strive toasting them on the stovetop in a cast-iron skillet simply till they scent aromatic.

These no bake peanut butter power bites are scrumptious, satisfying, and really easy to make. They usually’re naturally gluten free, too!

How one can make these peanut butter protein balls

Whether or not you select to toast the cumbersome substances (oats, coconut, seeds) or not, all this recipe requires is that you simply place these substances, together with some salt and oat flour (simply oats floor in a meals processor or blender—I by no means purchase oat flour!) in a big bowl. Then, add the peanut butter and honey and blend.

The combination can be fairly thick. Simply hold mixing and urgent down the combination with the again of a spoon to moisten the cumbersome substances with the peanut butter and honey. You need every little thing to be thick and never comfortable in order that the power bites maintain collectively effectively and hold their form after you portion and roll them tightly.

Then, enable every little thing to chill right down to room temperature (particularly for those who’ve toasted the oats, and so forth. first) earlier than including the few miniature chocolate chips. In any other case, the chips will soften proper into the bites when combined and will not maintain their form.

I like utilizing miniature chocolate chips since only a few ounces of them go a protracted, good distance. Each single chew could have loads of chips, however not too many who we took one thing wholesome and made it into sweet.

Lastly, portion the combination with an ice cream scoop or your fingers and roll every portion tightly into balls between your palms. Place them within the fridge to relax, then pile them right into a container with a lid. They’re prepared everytime you or your always-hungry household is!

Have the children assist make these gf bites

Critically, your children will love this power ball recipe as a lot as you do. They will like it much more for those who allow them to provide help to make these tasty treats.

These gluten free bites make good faculty snacks, and your children can be delighted once they discover them in lunch packing containers — they’re going to inform their associates all about how they helped!

Listed below are some ideas for making this recipe with children:

• Be careful for warm substances – I like to toast my oats, shredded coconut, and seeds after I make these gf energy balls, however you’ll be able to skip this step to make this a very no-bake oatmeal power balls recipe. Must you determine to undergo with the toasting, simply make sure that your substances have fully cooled earlier than letting the little ones deal with them.
• Wash arms earlier than mixing and rolling – I do not see the necessity to use a meals processor to make these gluten free peanut butter balls — mixing by hand is moderately fast and straightforward. As kiddos could by accident lose their grip on the blending spoon (or purposely accomplish that to get a style of that yummy batter), make it possible for they wash their arms totally earlier than beginning.
• Don’t fret about making a large number – It is a reality of life that when you have got children within the kitchen, there’s going to be the potential for a large number. As you’ll be able to simply include this mess to a desk or counter, do not let this trouble you. This batter is completely secure for licking off fingers, and the substances will clear up simply with a humid sponge. After all, for those who actually haven’t got the time for a large number, you may also plop the combined substances right into a pan, firmly flatten, after which refrigerate. After an hour, pull out the pan and use a knife to chop up some selfmade power bars.

Extra ideas for making protein balls

Use a spring-loaded cookie scoop for good parts

Eyeing up the protein bites dough and pinching off items is a wonderfully reputable technique to divvy up the batter. However in order for you extra constant sizing throughout your power balls, use an ice cream or cookie scoop.

Refrigerate the dough earlier than rolling

I discover that it is a lot simpler to roll an power ball when the dough is chilly. If you happen to discover that your combine is simply too comfortable to deal with, simply stick the blending bowl or portioned batter into the fridge for about half-hour. When it comes out, it is going to be agency sufficient for straightforward dealing with.

How one can retailer your protein balls

Once I make these peanut butter protein balls, I often double or triple the recipe to have a giant batch readily available. They will final roughly per week for those who retailer them in an hermetic container in your kitchen counter.

If your loved ones would not inhale these yummy protein bites the best way mine does, you’ll be able to prolong their life by storing them within the fridge as a substitute. You possibly can hold them in an hermetic container for about two weeks earlier than they begin to dry out.

If you happen to’re a gradual eater, engaged on portion management, or simply need easy accessibility to those peanut butter balls always, stick them within the freezer.

After I end making ready them, I place the pan of power bites instantly into the freezer for about an hour so that they get very agency. I then switch the balls to a freezer-safe zip-top bag. They will final about three months within the freezer.

Peanut butter protein balls substitution & variation ideas

Peanut butter-free, gluten free bites

If you cannot have peanut butter, virtually some other nut butter will do. Almond butter is the proper substitute, and cashew butter will make a extra neutral-flavored power chew.

The drippy, pure variety is absolutely too comfortable and will not maintain the bites collectively very effectively. Go for the “no-stir” variety, by which the oil would not separate at room temperature.

Vegan protein balls

If you wish to make these vegan or simply don’t love honey, you should utilize a mix of half maple syrup, half unsulphured molasses (like Grandma’s model). Maple syrup alone is simply too skinny and never sticky sufficient to switch honey.

Grain free protein balls

If you happen to do not wish to eat oats or you’ll be able to’t have them, strive changing the old school rolled oats with overwhelmed rice and the oat flour with quinoa flakes. We talk about this additional in our put up about the best way to substitute for oats in baking.

As a substitute of changing the oats on this recipe for protein balls, you can also make a grain-free model. They’re stuffed with protein, too, simply with out the grains.

Rather than oats and oat flour, use twice as many coconut flakes, and a mix of various uncooked nuts. I like to recommend utilizing at the very least 1/2 cup cashews in that blend, since they are a comfortable, delicate nut that helps bind collectively the opposite substances in the same technique to how the oat flour does within the oat-containing recipe under.

To make grain free protein balls, you will want a meals processor or the substances can be too massive to carry collectively as balls:

• 2 cups (240 g) assorted uncooked nuts (I like to recommend 1 cup (120 g) uncooked cashews + 1/2 cup (60 g) uncooked pecans + 1/2 cup (60 g) uncooked almonds; use at the very least 1/2 cup cashews)
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 4 cups (160 g) unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1 1/2 cups (384 g) clean, no-stir peanut butter (can substitute almond butter one other favourite no-stir nut butter)
• 1/2 cup (168 g) honey (Lyle’s Golden Syrup is an effective substitute)
• 1 cup (160 g) hulled uncooked seeds (I like to recommend a mix of hemp, chia, and/or flax seeds)
• 4 ounces miniature chocolate chips

Within the bowl of a meals processor fitted with the metal blade, place the uncooked nuts, salt, and about 2 cups (half) of the coconut flakes. Pulse the combination till the combination resembles coarse crumbs (3 or 4 occasions).

In a big, microwave-safe bowl, place the peanut butter and honey. Microwave the peanut butter and honey combination on 60% energy for 30 seconds to loosen the combination and make it simpler to mix with the dry substances, after which combine to mix.

To the peanut butter and honey combination, add the nut and coconut combination, the seeds and the remaining coconut, and blend till well-combined.

Permit the combination to chill for at the very least 10 minutes, after which add the miniature chocolate chips. Combine till the chips are evenly distributed all through. If you happen to add the chips when the combination is sizzling, the chips will all soften.

Scoop the combination by the heaping tablespoon onto the ready baking sheet (a #50 ice cream scoop works completely). You need to have about 40 parts. Roll every portion tightly right into a ball between your palms.

Place the baking sheet within the fridge to relax till agency. Serve chilled. They may maintain their form at room temperature, however I favor them chilled.

Seed choices

I purchase shelled hemp seeds at my native Dealer Joe’s market. If you happen to do not stay close to a Dealer Joe’s or simply do not store there and you’ll’t discover hemp seeds, strive chia seeds, hulled sunflower seeds, flax seeds, or pumpkin seeds.

Pumpkin seeds are a lot bigger, so that they’d must be chopped earlier than including them to the combination. Flax seeds do are likely to have a really sturdy taste, so make sure that your loved ones is on board earlier than utilizing them on this recipe. There are many different potentialities.

Extra mix-ins and scrumptious variations

• cocoa powder – sprinkle in some cocoa powder to make chocolate peanut butter balls
• cranberries – chop up dried cranberries for a tangy twist; dried cherries may also add a pleasant tartness
• dates – chopped dates are an excellent choice in order for you a richer style, however be happy to additionally experiment with different dried fruit
• protein powder – add a bit little bit of your favourite protein powder for an added increase; chocolate protein powder is nice, however so is whey protein isolate; simply do not add greater than about 1/2 scoop or your bites can be too dry to carry collectively
• raisins – benefit from the traditional style of oatmeal raisin whenever you add chopped raisins to your combine

FAQs

How one can make peanut butter protein balls (gluten free and no bake)

Thanks for stopping by!

Hello, I’m Nicole. I create gluten free recipes that actually work and style pretty much as good as you bear in mind. No extra making separate meals when somebody is GF, or shopping for packaged meals that aren’t ok to justify the value. At Gluten Free on a Shoestring, “good, for gluten free” simply isn’t ok! Come go to my bio!

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