One of the keys to preparing for the return to homeschoolin’, is being prepared for the deluge of “I’m huuunngryy’s”. Here is a family favorite of mine that we love to keep on hand for those random snack time emergencies. Enjoy!
If I had a dollar for every time someone has reminded me that I STILL haven’t shared a recipe… well, hey! I may have the money to publish a book! That’s a thought.
Anyway, this one comes up often and people always want the recipe. The problem is that each batch is a different recipe. I have a basic plan of proportions and the rest is kinda like throwing in whatever I have on hand. As you can see from past recipes, I cook like this often. Keeps my recipe books clean and pretty on the bookshelf.
Protein balls are a pretty basic, common recipe that you can find anywhere. I’ve seen it float around many times. Moms and kids love them. The reason that mine are different is that I do not use powdered milk or peanut butter which are the main ingredients in the popular recipe. The reason being that my children have had dairy and peanut allergies in the pas. While they have grown out of those food sensitivities, I still find it healthier to use my adapted version.
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This is going to be a rabbit trail of a recipe, so see if you can follow along. PLEASE feel free to add any questions, suggestions or experiences in the comment section!!
Protein Balls
3 c. rolled oats (we use Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Whole Grain
)
1 1/2 cups of your choice of POWDER
1 to 2 c. Mix Ins
1 1/2 c. Nut Butter
1 1/2 c. local raw honey or Agave Nectar
As simple as that sounds, here are your plethora of options!!
POWDERS
Typically people use powdered milk. If you’re going to do it, I suggest using Organic Valley Organic Nonfat Dry Milk Powder, 12-Ounce Bags (Pack of 4) That way you can avoid the GMOs and antibiotic junk
Any protein powder can be used. I really love Nutiva Organic Hemp Protein, and if I could afford the $$$ I would always use Raw Organic Protein, but for now We find the Organic Rice Protein Vanilla – 3 lbs – Powder to be a great deal for our family.
FOR CHOCOLATE- Substitute 3/4 c cocoa powder for 1/2 c protein. We like Raw Organic Cacao Powder but also often use organic cocoa nibs we get from the Dekalb Farmer’s Market here in Atlanta.
MIX INS
This is where I have problems giving the recipe because the options are limitless! Typically some flax and sesame seeds are thrown in first then I add any of the following I have on hand.
Chopped nuts (any)
pumpkin seeds
sunflower seeds
chia seeds
coconut flakes
raisins
currants (smaller raisins that work nicely!)
Dried fruits (any)
crushed banana chips
Left over crumbs at the bottom of the trailmix container (no, I’m serious!)
mini chocolate chips (if I’m feeling REALLY nice)
NUT BUTTER
These used to always be made with peanut butter, but we now live in an age where taking peanut butter to schools is as dangerous as taking a concealed weapon. I absolutely LOVE this deal on Subscribe and Save for our family on Creamy SunButter 5 Pounds ( 2-Count). It brings the cost down to $ 0.27 an ounce which is absolutely doable. It’s not organic though, so when I can get it into the budget I buy almond butter. This recipe doesn’t work as well with my homemade stuff.
Maybe that’s not so confusing after all, now that I see it all all written out.
My last piece of advice, if you add this to your regular rotation of healthy snacks in the house, is to invest in THIS Stainless Steel Scoop
because it makes them so easy and quick. Don’t go cheap and buy one at Walmart or Target. This one is sturdy and works well. Nothing is worse that a crappy scoop! I can hand this to my 3 and 6 year old and then I don’t have to do the dreaded deed of making perfect balls. Actually, they made the batch pictured. See?
This should make about 4-5 dozen. We freeze them on the cookie sheet and then pop them into a gallon bag. They travel well and don’t need to be refrigerated.
This batch had the cocoa powder, coconut, flax seeds, pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds. We used almond butter this time. They came out tasting like no-bake cookies. Mmmmmmm….
.Are you going to try them? Please come back and comment with a review. Tell us what combination you used, or what new add ins you came up with!!
Talitha Seibel – Marginal Moms
Busting the myth that Moms have to do-it-all.
I used a combo of oats, chopped almonds, currents, crunchy peanut butter, 1 cup agave nector, 1/2 raw honey and a 1/3 of melted corn free home made marshmallows. Eli loves them and Jon said they tasted like peanut butter fugdge! Thank you!
I used a combo of oats, chopped almonds, currents, crunchy peanut butter, 1 cup agave nector, 1/2 raw honey and a 1/3 of melted corn free home made marshmallows. Eli loves them and Jon said they tasted like peanut butter fugdge! Thank you!
Oh my goodness am I 1) thrilled to find your website, 2) enter the contest AND 3) absolutely DELIGHTED, and drooling, to try these protein balls!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE not only finding creative healthy recipes BUT finding another Mom who uses gluten and dairy free substitutes, organic when affordable ingredients for our children, AND agave nectar. I’m not a BIG FB or internet user and I’m certain there are NUMEROUS recipes of this healthy/dietary sort. But finding a Mom blog that is Christian/Catholic/Homeschooling AND healthy eating oriented is a double, triple blessing! Now was that enough, excuse the pun, mouthfulls of sentences!! 😉 THANK YOU!!! So much!
Oh my goodness am I 1) thrilled to find your website, 2) enter the contest AND 3) absolutely DELIGHTED, and drooling, to try these protein balls!! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE not only finding creative healthy recipes BUT finding another Mom who uses gluten and dairy free substitutes, organic when affordable ingredients for our children, AND agave nectar. I’m not a BIG FB or internet user and I’m certain there are NUMEROUS recipes of this healthy/dietary sort. But finding a Mom blog that is Christian/Catholic/Homeschooling AND healthy eating oriented is a double, triple blessing! Now was that enough, excuse the pun, mouthfulls of sentences!! 😉 THANK YOU!!! So much!
We don’t have kids yet, but I made these anyway, and because it is just for me (hubby won’t eat oats) I made them with 1/2 cup honey and added more nut butter. They are the perfect amount of sweetness. A bit more dry so it was a workout getting them into balls but they are great. Mix ins: walnuts, pecans, almonds, toasted quinoa and coconut with cardamom, dried apricots, and dried blueberries. I used vanilla protein, but next time I will use pure protein. I don’t think it even needed the vanilla.
We don’t have kids yet, but I made these anyway, and because it is just for me (hubby won’t eat oats) I made them with 1/2 cup honey and added more nut butter. They are the perfect amount of sweetness. A bit more dry so it was a workout getting them into balls but they are great. Mix ins: walnuts, pecans, almonds, toasted quinoa and coconut with cardamom, dried apricots, and dried blueberries. I used vanilla protein, but next time I will use pure protein. I don’t think it even needed the vanilla.
Anaphylaxis to nuts here. Wonder if something else would work (no seeds either so no sunbutter). They could still be protein balls if the powder were protein, maybe.
Anaphylaxis to nuts here. Wonder if something else would work (no seeds either so no sunbutter). They could still be protein balls if the powder were protein, maybe.
Hmmm. Let me think about. No chia seeds or coconut either then?
Hmmm. Let me think about. No chia seeds or coconut either then?
We made ours with the soy “peanut” butter. The kids didn’t even notice that it wasn’t peanut butter.
We made ours with the soy “peanut” butter. The kids didn’t even notice that it wasn’t peanut butter.
Also, no Agave. It is more processed than HFCS.
Also, no Agave. It is more processed than HFCS.