High Protein Peanut Butter Balls
This recipe creates high-protein, no-bake peanut butter balls using mashed ripe bananas, flax seeds, crunchy peanut butter, and cocoa whey protein. It's a simple, quick-to-prepare snack that combines easily and requires chilling to set, offering a nutritious and satisfying treat for any time of day.
Equipment
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl
- 1 Sturdy Spatula or Wooden Spoon For effective mixing of dense ingredients.
- 1 Fork or Potato Masher For mashing bananas efficiently.
- 1 Measuring Cups For accurate ingredient portions.
- 1 Baking sheet or plate For chilling the formed balls.
Ingredients
Main
- 2 ripe bananas mashed
- 2 tablespoons flax seeds
- 2 cups crunchy peanut butter
- 2 scoops cocoa whey protein powder
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly mash the ripe bananas with a fork or potato masher until smooth with minimal lumps.
- Add the flax seeds and cocoa whey protein powder to the mashed bananas.
- Introduce the crunchy peanut butter to the bowl with the other ingredients.
- Using a sturdy spatula or wooden spoon, mix all ingredients vigorously until a uniform, thick dough forms and no dry spots of protein powder remain.
- If the mixture is too sticky to handle, add an additional teaspoon of cocoa whey protein powder; if too dry, add a small amount of water or a bit more mashed banana until pliable.
- Scoop small portions of the mixture (about 1.5 tablespoons each) and roll them between your palms to form smooth, golf-ball-sized spheres.
- Place the formed peanut butter balls onto a baking sheet or plate lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Refrigerate the balls for at least 30 minutes, or until they are firm enough to handle and hold their shape well.
- Once chilled, transfer the high-protein peanut butter balls to an airtight container for storage.
- Serve chilled as a convenient, energy-boosting snack or dessert.
Notes
Ensure bananas are very ripe for optimal sweetness and ease of mashing; this also aids in binding the mixture. When combining, thoroughly incorporate all ingredients to avoid pockets of dry protein powder. The mixture's consistency can vary based on peanut butter type and banana size; if too sticky, add a touch more protein powder; if too dry, a small amount of water or extra mashed banana will help. Chilling is crucial for the balls to firm up properly for handling and serving. For enhanced flavor, consider adding a pinch of sea salt or a dash of vanilla extract to complement the peanut butter and cocoa. These balls can also be rolled in shredded coconut, extra cocoa powder, or chopped nuts (if not avoiding tree nuts) for varied texture and appearance.