We’re all about the holidays this weekend here at Casa de EBF. Wrapping, baking, family and celebrating… that pretty much sums it up. We’ve been jamming out to Christmas tunes, traveling to visit family and overall just enjoying the season. Yesterday I spent the afternoon baking Christmas cookies with my nanny, sister and her girls. It’s a tradition and it’s something I look forward to every year. We baked and then took the goodies to our family Christmas party at my aunt and uncle’s house, which is always a good time.
Since I was young my favorite holiday treats have always been Nanny’s Crescent Cookies, No Bake Cookies and Peanut Butter Balls. <– Can you tell I love all things peanut butter and chocolate?
Over the years I’ve made a couple different Healthy No Bake Cookies recipes, so this year I decided to test out making a healthier version of the peanut butter balls.
After a little recipe testing (and one batch of peanut butter balls turned peanut butter cookie Larabars) I finally perfected a recipe for healthier peanut butter balls. They taste just like the ones I used to love growing up, only they’re vegan, gluten-free, sweetened with dates and require only five ingredients!
Everyone who has tried them has loved them, including Isaac who said, “Oh yum! They’re like peanut butter cups.”
So if you’re in need of another holiday treat recipe, these balls should be added to your list. And if you’re taking them to a party, I highly recommend doubling the recipe because they’ll go fast, trust me! 🙂
Healthier Peanut Butter Balls
Ingredients
- 4-5 medjool dates (I used Natural Delights)
- 2 Tablespoons gluten-free old fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup natural roasted and salted peanut butter
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips (I used Enjoy Life chocolate chunks)
- 1/2 Tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Add dates to food processor or mini chopper and pulse until dates are finely chopped and form a sticky ball. Add in oats and pulse a few more times until combined.
- Add peanut butter and process until combined. If the mixture seems too oily, add another Tablespoon of oats. Scoop out peanut butter dough by the tablespoon and roll into balls. Place balls on parchment paper. Place peanut butter balls in the freezer until firm (several hours or overnight). This step makes it easier to dip the balls into the chocolate.
- A couple minutes before taking the balls out of the freezer, combine your chocolate chips with the coconut oil and melt the mixture. Use a double boiler or microwave in 30 second increments (stirring after every 30 seconds) until the chocolate is melted.
- Dip chilled balls into the melted chocolate and roll until covered. Place back on parchment paper. Once all balls are covered, place back in freezer until hard. Store in freezer or fridge until ready to enjoy.
by Brittany Mullins
Yum these sound amazing. I’m sure they were a hit! Love when you can healthily a recipe and it’s just as good!
These look delicous! Glad to hear you are enjoying the holidays. Wrapping up gifts and listening to holiday music always puts me the right spirit. Enjoy your Sunday!
Yum! You can never go wrong with the peanut butter/chocolate combo. These sound super easy too!
These look delicious! I love peanut butter balls and any way to make them healthier is great!
Love this combination and because it’s so heavy in calories I rarely make them. This is a great recipe.
I’m such a peanut butter and chocolate fan! I would loooove these 🙂
Great seeing you last night!
ANDDDD I’m really excited to have some frozen ones when I get home tonight.
Because, you know, I really need those right now. 😉
These look terrific. I love the idea off using dates as the base.
Yum, these look like a delicious snack! I’m all about anything peanut butter and chocolate.
Happy holidays!
So, I made these for my younger brother for Christmas and he LOVED them. Of course I didn’t tell him they were actually a lot healthier than they tasted 😉 Thanks for the great recipe Brittany!
OATS HAVE NO GLUTEN TODAY YESTERDAY AND TOMORROW, NEVER HAVE NEVER WILL SO STATING GLUTEN FREE OATS IS STATING THE OBVIOUS.
Hi Sandra. I realize that oats are inherently gluten-free, but unless the package or bulk bin says “gluten-free certified” the oats could be grown in the same field with other (gluten containing) grains or processed with these other grains. While this isn’t a big deal for most folks that have gluten sensitivity issues, it can be problematic for those with celiac disease. That’s why I pointed this out in the recipe. 🙂
These look delicious! My kids have peanut allergies so I would sub in SunButter, but I definitely should make these 🙂
My family is all about peanut butter. I love your healthier version of their favorite treat.
I love everything about these treats! Wish I had some to snack on right now! They’d be the perfect ending to my day!
These are so good. Tried them and now they are a new favorite!
Yay!!! So glad you love them.