Recipe: Healthy Peanut Butter Balls - Episode 28 - Made Fit TV

December 30th, 2008 | | Email This Post Email This Post |

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Happy Holidays! From now until January 1st you will most likely be eating daily three times the calories your body burns in just one day. That said, we should probably cut corners where we can — and I’m not talking about cakes!

Good habits to live by during this “season of splurging” is to avoid drinking your calories, cutting back on portions, and not going back for seconds. Notice how I’m not telling you to avoid the sweets? Cutting it out cold turkey — especially during the Holidays — may prompt you to completely lose your mind from sugar-deprivation, steal the entire pumpkin pie, and down it in two minutes while hiding out in the hall closet!

So instead of doing away with the sweet-stuff, watch this week’s podcast and try whipping together this healthy dessert recipe that’s both tasty and satisfying. If you love peanut butter, this one’s for you!

Peanut Butter Protein Balls
Ingredients: 1 cup plain instant oats, 1 cup honey, 1 cup natural peanut butter (drained), 1 1/4 cup vanilla protein powder

1.) With peanut butter still in the jar, drain the oil off of the top
2.) Mix all of the ingredients in a large bowl with a spatula
3.) Wash your hands and continue mixing the ingredients until there are no dry spots
4.) Roll up balls of the mixture about the size of a half-dollar and place them on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper or parchment paper
5.) Cover with wax paper or parchment paper and refrigerate
Optional: You may also melt down two cups of semi-sweet chocolate morsels and dip one side of each ball in it before refrigerating

Servings: approx. 24 balls
One serving, plain= 103 calories
3.5g fat
11.5g carbs
7.5g protein
6g sugar

One serving w/chocolate= 138 calories
5.5g fat
17g carbs
7.5g protein
10g sugar

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  • Missy
    So one of these is a serving?  Because I calculated them at 4 points each is that right?
  • Maureen M.
    I wonder if you can use Aquave instead of honey? And plain soy protein powder?
  • You can use whatever you want because sugar is sugar no matter where it comes from - it metabolizes the same. Same with the protein powder - if you prefer the taste and consistency of soy over whey, that is perfectly fine. Get creative and use my recipes as a guide and add in whatever you fancy ; ) Hope you like it!
  • Jenny
    I am a firm believe that sugar is sugar, so you can use whatever one you prefer, along with the protein powder, it you prefer soy : )
  • abein
    OMG! These were delish! I made them exactly like the recipe, but drizzled melted dark chocolate. I then put them in the freezer to harden the chocolate. I tried both frozen and refrigerated, I prefer the frozen...it takes longer to eat, making it such a satisfying snack/treat! Thanks for the recipe and I am lovin' watching all of your podcasts while I do my cardio. I am new a fan and downloaded some 100 or so of your podcasts to my ipod--U give me the extra ooomph I need to get thru those long boring cardio sessions.
  • Pj Nolet
    Hello. My daughter is allergic to peanut butter so I can't make them. I was wondering if you think I could use Sunbutter ( sunflower seed spread ) and get the same nutrition? Peanut butter is forbidden in my house.
  • Sorry to hear that : ( But, yes, there are no rules to this recipe - go for it! You could use any nut butter out there. Cashew butter and almond butter are some of my favorite alternatives. Same fat content.
  • Leahayers
    I want to make these for my husband using Jay Robb's new delicious Vanilla Rice Protein. Thank you Jenny!
  • I'd love to try that stuff, too!
  • Jenna
    I noticed that this episode is not listed in the healthy recipes archive. You should add it!
  • John B
    where is the healthy recipe archive?
  • Hi John! All of the videos I have done are in the "past episodes" link at the top of the home page. You can also use the keyword search box, type in the word recipe or nutrition, and you will find all of the food eps I have done! Hope that helps : )
  • Dana
    Thanks jenny try this you might like it-
    Protein Peanut Butter Fudge
    1/2 cup unsalted butter
    1/2 cup Natural Peanut Butter
    1/4 cup softened cream cheese
    1 cup Splenda
    2 scoops Vanilla Whey protein powder

    Method-
    Melt the butter and peanut butter together in the microwave on HIGH for 1-2 minutes; whisk well. Whisk in the cream cheese until well blended and smooth. Whisk in the Splenda then the whey protein powder and blend well. Line a 7 x 5" baking dish with wax paper or nonstick foil. Spread the fudge mixture in the pan and chill or freeze until set. Cut into 20 squares. Store in the refrigerator or freeze.

    Makes 20 pieces
    Can be frozen

    With granular Splenda:
    Per Piece: 105 Calories; 9g Fat; 4g Protein; 3g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 2.5g Net Carbs
    Per 2 Pieces: 211 Calories; 18g Fat; 8g Protein; 6g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 5g Net Carbs
  • Leahayers
    Dana,
    New research has been showing Splenda is not healthy but dangerous. Check out this article: http://articles.mercola.com/si...
  • Thank you for that tip! As I always say... EVERYTHING IN MODERATION and this is why!
  • THANK YOU so much for sharing!! This looks amazing!!
  • hey jenny
    i made the peanut butter ball and they are so yummy i really enjoy them keep em coming
  • Hi Stacey! So glad you enjoy the peanut butter balls! Thank you for your facebook follow and for the questions. It shows you are really devoted to learning about health and fitness. Keep up the great work : )
  • Elise
    Jenny, I really enjoy all your proteine powder recipes, I've tried them all and this one is the easiest to make, it's a no failure recipe because there is no cooking involved. I was wondering if there was a way to make ice cream with proteine powder (without sugar, with agave or something else), but I think proteine powder tends to turn bad after a while when it's been mixed with some liquid. I would love to see more proteine powder recipes.
  • I'm glad you like the recipes! There will definitely be more in the future. I'm not sure about protein ice cream, but that has crossed my mind to try to experiment with in the past. I want to buy a KitchenAide soft serve ice cream maker soon, so when I do I will try it and let you know! LOL!
  • monicaisawesome
    i like peanut butter balls today
  • Glad you like them! I need to make myself a batch... it's been a while!
  • That sounds awesome, Mary! I'm so glad you enjoyed them. Hope your hubby like's them. Mixing the different protein powders is good to do because then you can figure out which you like better. Healthy eating CAN have options - and taste good, too! Thanks so much for the facebook, LinkedIn and twitter follows! XO
  • I figured I'd give this a try, but I didn't want to make an entire batch, so I made a smaller one. Instead of cups, I used Teaspoons and just mixed it up in a little bowl.

    I think I've just found one of my favorite desserts!! And if I'm feeling particularly weak, I can always make an individual sized batch. I only had about 6 chocolate chips left in the fridge, so I just mixed them up with it (and made an extra little ball so my husband can try it when he gets home). Next I want to try using part vanilla protein powder, and part chocolate...

    Thanks so much, Jenny!!

    - Mary Hamer
  • These are wonderful plain! I just made them and ended up with 32 balls. I should be good for about 10-15 days.

    I have a problem after 7 PM with wanting sweets. I usually go for the peanut butter on top of hersheys chocolate. This will most likely help cut back on that.

    Thank you
  • Brenda
    Just made them and they came out fantastic! One was more than enough, it was so rich and sweet. Thanks for the recipe.
  • That's the beauty of these, Brenda. You only need one to satisfy that sweet craving : ) Thanks for trying them!
  • These sound really good. I'm going to make them this weekend!
  • Hope they turned out yummy!
  • I can't wait to try these!
  • Robyn Durst
    These are awesome! I chose not to dip in chocolate (too much work, in my opinion), but I don't even think they need it! The honey gives them enough sweet for me! Thanks for yet another great healthy recipe! Keep 'em coming!
  • admin
    I prefer the chocolate dips.
  • Chris
    I love these things. They are a great snack. Have plenty of milk on standby.
  • I agree. I prefer them without the chocolate though. I'm thinking of rolling them in cinnamon though. What do you think?
  • admin
    Cinnimon would be a great idea!
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