The King, Elvis, Protein Snack Bites

Sometimes ideas just POP into your head and you can’t help but get excited and at the same time your thinking why in the world didn’t I think of that sooner! Yep this was one of those moments. If you are a regular reader you know I love the “Elivis” flavor combo… peanut butter, bananas, bacon, and hey for whatever reason many times it includes chocolate. Oh and honey! Seriously what is not to love even without the chocolate the salty sweet combo of peanut butter, bananas, and bacon gets me every time and I AM NOT a bacon fan. I know, I know, my husband and oldest love it and while I love the flavor that is about it and well bacon salt or the coconut bacon in this recipe satisfies that.

I literally danced around the kitchen making these and so many weird comments came out of my mouth yes baby got back but with balls because hey there is no denying these are round and shaped like balls. Good thing the girls were at school when I whipped up that first batch and got all the silliness out of my system. The girls tested them, yeah I had to save them some which is probably a good thing or I would have eaten way too many and hey it was leg day I was hungry, and they approved! I had planned on trying to play around with banana chips and some other ideas but my oldest said NO and they both loved them so not going to change them, well until the 2.0 recipe . Haha!

Our family has some flavor favorites and pretty much the Elvis combo or anything with a combination of parts of the peanut butter, bananas, chocolate, bacon will be one of my tops. A is right there with me with her love for the peanut butter and chocolate combo. S of course is my red velvet queen who goes crazy for anything red velvet. Than there is my hubby who love s’mores, or chocolate and marshmallows. Of course there is a lot of overlap as we all love chocolate, the oldest and hubby love bacon and me just the flavor, the girls and I love our peanut butter, and the whole family loves s’mores so pretty much if I’m going to over post something this year or ever on my blog it will probably have to do with one of those flavor combos.

While I call them power balls, power bites, protein balls, or snack balls or bites, ect I put these in the snack category and not because they are unhealthy compared to others but because for me while I would grab one as a quick pre or post workout snack they are mostly for those times I crave something salty and sweet and just want a snack and one is just enough for me, not that I don’t want more but really it does it. They are gluten-free, grain-free, packed with protein and healthy fats to keep me full, banana which helps for the afternoon slump, and a whole love of fun! If you are looking for something more for post or pre workout you can always remove the chocolate chips and use chocolate protein instead of vanilla.

The King. Elvis, Snack Bites
Makes 24 balls
1/4c powdered peanut butter (Peanut Butter & Co Go Mighty Nut)
1/2c rolled oats, gluten free (Bob’s Red Mill)
1/2c vanilla protein powder (Vega Clean Protein, Vanilla)
1.5 med or 1 large banana (ref 9oz)
2 TBSP honey, maple syrup, or agave
1/3c peanut butter of choice (PB&Co Smooth Operator)
1/3-1/2c coconut bacon (Organic Matters Coconut Bacon)
1/4c mini chocolate chips or cacao nibs (Enjoy Life Vegan Mini Chocolate Chips)

In a food processor pulse together powdered peanut butter, coconut flour, and protein powder. Add in banana, honey/maple syrup, and peanut butter and blend until mixture comes together. It should stick together between your fingers at this point and stay together if you were going to roll it. If it is too dry add a little extra banana, if too wet add a little more protein powder. Add in coconut bacon and chocolate chips and pulse to combine. Form into balls, I make 24 just smaller than golf ball size (23-24g). Store in the freezer until ready to enjoy.
These protein snack bites are The King! @VegaTeam @PeanutButterCo @enjoylifefoods #BestLifeProject #SweatPink #vegan Share on X

Linking up this recipe with The Fit Foodie Mama, Annmarie, for Foodie Friday! More delicious recipes can be found on her page, linked above.