PB&J Power Balls

I know what you might be thinking… either really peanut butter again?!? or more peanut butter!! It just seemed to happen this way this week for the first part and I figured it was a great theme for the week so I went with it. Monday’s post does not include peanut butter, it is actually a recipe with the purple cauliflower I bought at the market I had posted a picture of and I can’t wait to share what I made with it! Until then play hard, enjoy your weekend and check out these PB&J Power Balls that are great for kids and us kids at heart!

The girls are back in school and it feels great to get back into a routine. Things are a little crazier in our house this fall compared to last fall as my oldest is playing traveling soccer for the fall league which takes up a few nights, A still has her gymnastics, and we are trying to fit in swimming but we will probably wait with that until fall league is over. I love that the girls are active but I really try to balance their schedules as well as our families making sure we don’t get too overwhelmed, especially during the school year. With that the girls need some healthy snacks and fuel and I was trying to decide which flavor of Power Ball to make the girls. I didn’t bother asking them because I’m sure they would both want different flavors and would want more than one. Than I decided on PB&J, peanut butter and jelly reminds me of kids and school, well and of course apples. Not going to lie I also made these for myself! Peanut butter and jelly is one of those simple classic comfort food combos. Perfect for a post workout (sport) snack, great for a healthy afternoon treat, or school snack. The girls sometimes like to take a batch to soccer or gymnastics to share with friends and since they are gluten free and vegan they are great for kids that have allergies/food restrictions, with the exception of peanut allergies which if there are any we usually know about in advance where as many others aren’t always shared in advance. I made them with our favorite Peanut Butter & Co Smooth Operator and Crofter’s Organic Raspberry Preserves, as I had dried raspberries one of the girls asked for at Trader Joes (they had something they wanted to do with them but I can’t remember and I’m sure they will remind me what when they eat these) and I didn’t have any dried strawberries. The dried berries are optional but I wanted to add them for color and a little texture. These will probably be making regular appearances in the rotation as I like to break up the chocolate sometimes and peanut butter is one of my cravings. I already had to make another batch as I’m finding myself in a spunky mood after my CIZE workouts and when I grab one of these PB&J Power Balls I can’t help but start singing Peanut Butter Jelly Time and dancing around! Hmm wonder if that burns enough calories to justify having another one?!? Haha!

PB&J Power Balls
Makes 22-24 balls
2/3c coconut flour, or you could sub oat flour (used Trader Joe’s coconut flour)
2/3c vanilla or natural protein powder (used Vega Sport Vanilla Protein, other batches with Vega Vanilla Protein and Greens)*
1/2c peanut butter (used Peanut Butter & Co Smooth Operator)
2 TBSP coconut oil, melted
1/2c raspberry or strawberry jam (used Crofter’s Organic Raspberry Spread)
2-4 TBSP water
2 TBSP dried raspberries or strawberries, optional (used Trader Joe’s Freeze Dried Raspberries)

*You can sub powdered peanut butter like Go Mighty Nut, we like the vanilla one in these, but you will want to add in the optional dried fruit to balance out the peanut butter jelly flavor. I just like to use Vega to pack in more nutrition.
With most protein balls it will be a balance. Depending on nut butter, flour, or protein powder you may need to adjust a little. You want the mixture to be wet enough to roll into balls and not crumble but not to wet that they can’t be rolled and it sticks to your hands. Add more protein if batter is too wet. Add more nut butter, water, or jam if it’s too dry.
In a small bowl mix together your flour and protein powder and set aside. In a slightly larger bowl mix together peanut butter, coconut oil, and jam. Add your dry ingredients in with the wet and mix. I use a spatula until it starts to come together and than find my hands best for forming it into a big ball. At this point add in small amounts of water until the mixture just comes together, being careful it isn’t too wet. If you want to add in dried fruit, I used freeze dried raspberries, break them into small pieces and add them in now. You want to add them in last as if you add them in earlier the water will make the berries bleed and the balls will turn out pink. Grab spoonful of the mixture and form into balls (I used roughly 20-21 grams to make 24 balls). Place in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer. If wanting to store them in a plastic bag I suggest placing them in the freezer first and then moving them to a Ziploc bag once frozen. Store in the refrigerator, or freezer for longer storage. Enjoy!
These PB&J Power Balls fun #fitness fuel! #vegan #glutenfree #SweatPink #fitfluential Click To Tweet

While I do receive some Vega products from time to time, which I listed as an option in this recipe, I do purchase much of it on my own. It has been my plant-based protein of choice since before I started blogging. Even though most Vega products used are purchased by myself I do add this disclaimer. I do not make any money off any Vega sales or posts. I only write about foods I love, my blog is an extension of my hobby to make fun healthy food creations for me and my family.