You know those days when you're Exhausted with a capital E, your body seems to have forgotten how it's supposed to react to caffeine, and you're digging deep but you just. can't. find. it? Ya, those. Well, I've found the solution: just grab some balls. Wait, let me be a little more clear. Grab some of these peanut butter energy balls. (that could have turned out to be a rather embarrassing misunderstanding.)
All adolescent joking aside, these peanut butter energy balls totally do the trick. I tested my theory last week when I was having one of “Those Days” and, I'm not going to tell you I felt like running a marathon (cause I never feel like running a marathon) but they did work some magic. Some deliciously healthy dessert-like magic that gave me energy for hours.
I've popped one before each of my totally-not-marathon runs this week, and I swear I ran faster. Who knew that magic tasted this good?
These magic peanut butter energy balls are sweetened with Medjool dates and stuffed full of nuts and seeds. The natural sugar in the dates is what gives you the initial wake-me-up and the complex carbs in the oatmeal and the protein in the peanut butter and other nuts help keep you going.
Can you think anything more delicious than peanut butter energy balls to give you that jolt you need?
How to adapt this recipe
This recipe is very flexible and takes well to being tailored to suit your tastes, and what you have on hand in your pantry.
- Use whatever nuts or seeds that you have. Whatever you choose just make sure to chop them relatively small.
- I like to toast the nuts and seeds I use so they are more flavourful, but you can choose not to.
- Use any type of nut butter you have on hand. Almond butter is also great.
- Leave out the coconut, or add more. You choose!
- Swap the maple syrup for honey, if you'd like.
- Add more chocolate chips! Or less. Or use chocolate shavings instead.
- Roll the balls into tiny one-bite pieces. Or just make one giant peanut butter energy ball. {Wait, that's probably not the best idea. But hell, if that's what you fancy just please make sure you're sharing it with all your closest friends.}
If you'd like to see how you can adapt this recipe, check out the recipe No Bake Energy Bites.
If you make these Peanut Butter Energy Balls make sure to snap a pic and tag @theendlessmeal on Instagram so I can like and comment on them!
- ½ cup natural peanut butter
- 8 Medjool dates, pits removed
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ½ cup toasted, chopped pecans
- ¼ cup toasted sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup unsweetened coconut
- ¼ cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- Optional: a pinch or two of sea salt
- Place the peanut butter, dates and maple syrup into a food processor and process until smooth. Next you can either add all the remaining ingredients to the food processor and process again, or you can scoop out the peanut butter and dates into a large bowl, add the remaining ingredients and mix everything by hand. I prefer to mix everything by hand as my food processor (and even my Vitamix) will overheat since it is a very thick dough.
- Roll into 24 balls. Enjoy!
Kristen Stevens
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Kristen is the person working behind the scenes at The Endless Meal. She takes all the pics, creates all the recipes and eats all the leftovers. 
Do you have a suggestion for making these without a food processor?
Hi Ashley,
You could finely chop the nuts and dates by hand and then mix in the rest of the ingredients. You’ll probably need to use your hands, rather than a spoon, to mix them together well. Hope that helps!
I love all the deliciousness you packed in these balls! Peanut butter energy bites are one of my favourites, I love that you added pecans and sunflower seeds!
Thanks, Evi! They’re one of my favs too. 🙂
Made them for my hubby. Needs energy for an “energetic” (read on his feet all day) job. I had the dregs of some chocolate almond butter in the fridge, so I used that instead and didn’t put the chic chips in because of that. He said “You can make those again!” Seal of approval. 🙂
Ha ha I love it! It’s the best when you get your man’s seal of approval, right?!! 🙂
hi there! this looks delish! could i use almond butter instead of peanut butter? do you think it would still taste the same?
Hi Josie! Absolutely you could use almond butter. It will taste a tiny bit different, but it will be just as delicious. 🙂
these look amazig!! can’t wait to try it at home 🙂
https://aspoonfulofnature.wordpress.com/
Thanks, Anna! They really are addictive little treats!!
Hello, Kristen!
I must admit I’ve been really needing to have something like this to hand over the past week or two. I have huge energy dips mid afternoon and feel so tempted to reach for the sweeet stuff.
Love the tips … they’re really useful!
It’s so tough sometimes when the afternoon sleepiness hits. Sometimes I wish I lived in Mexico so I could siesta the afternoons away!
Hahaha Kristen, that first paragraph still has me rolling! Too funny. Guess I haven’t grown out of my adolescent humor yet lol. But I almost ALWAYS feel exhausted with a capitol E (maybe I should get that checked out), but in the meantime I’ll be relying on these balls! ENERGY balls that is 🙂
Ha ha love it! So happy to hear I have I have someone to laugh like a kid with!!
Hah, you can count on me for that anytime ;)!
I love all the goodies you packed into these energy balls! They sound like the perfect snack to keep me energized throughout the day!
Thanks, Kelly! They really are my fav. 🙂
Did someone say peanut butter? And chocolate? Umm…..I’ll take more than what I need for an energy boost. I eat these like popcorn!
Heck ya I did! PEANUT BUTTER! CHOCOLATE! They are pretty hard to resist, aren’t they? 🙂
Great balls of energy! These look wonderful. And I love peanut butter — can never seem to get enough of the stuff. Super recipe — thanks so much.
I’m with you 100% on peanut butter! I eat a largely paleo diet most of the time but could never give up peanut butter. Or campari. Those two are staples lol.
I love all the good stuff that go into making these healthy treats!! I think I need one of these sweet and yummy energy balls right now. 🙂
Isn’t it the best when things that taste like dessert are actually healthy for you? It’s always my fav!
Oh yessss! I swear these little balls have the same effect on me! Packed with energy and nourishing stuff… love the addition of sea salt! A perfect balance of creamy, crunchy and chocolate. These will make my 3:00 stomach growls go away! Thank you Kristen!
I swear I have a bit of a salt addiction … I add it to everything!!
Happy to know I’m not the only one who gets effected by the magical energy giving powers of these!!
These energy balls are seriously calling my name!
Ha ha they scream, “eat me, eat me, eat me!” at me all day long too. 😉
I need these in my life. Mid afternoon hits and makes my stomach growl. These would be the perfect pick me up!
It’s seriously crazy how perfect of a snack they are! 🙂
I make energy bites very similar to this and they’re absolute heaven on EARTH! Only mine don’t have peanut butter in them and I am SO trying that next time! These look like the perfect little POP of energy!
I love love love peanut butter and could seriously eat it in just about everything. What do you put in yours?
I love energy bites. These look fantastic! I’ve never made mine with dates. Can’t wait to try!
They’re so good, right?! The dates give them a little extra sweetness, which I love. 🙂