Gluten-free Protein Snack Balls
These are great, healthy snack balls chocked full of protein. They are quite filling and pack that little “punch” when you feel your energy waning. I love to take these hiking, as a snack when I teach, and always, always when I travel. (They have saved me many times during delays at airports.) They are chocked full of healthy ingredients so they are a “no-guilt” snack, plus they are gluten-free.
Ingredient List
1 c. – peanut butter, almond butter, or a mixture of 2/3 cup almond butter and 1/3 cup tahini
½ c. whole rolled oats (check the packaging as not all oats are certified gluten-free)
½ c. sesame seeds, ground up
½ c. sunflower seeds
½ c. protein powder – I like vanilla whey protein but other kinds will work too
3 T carob powder or cocoa (optional)
½ cup dried fruit – raisins, cranberries, jojo berries, currents, chopped dried peaches or apricots
¼ c. honey
1 T. chia seeds
1 T. ground flax seeds
Mix together the “butter,” protein powder, and honey. I usually do almond butter as I feel it is a little healthier than peanut butter, but if I have run out, then I use peanut butter. Either one has lots of protein so use the one you like best. I always get the crunchy variety. (At many health food stores, you can grind your own peanut butter, which makes it so tasty and fresh!) Using a food processor, pulse sunflower seeds or chop in a manual device to make smaller pieces. Stir the sunflower seeds into the “butter, honey, protein” mixture.Now, add the rest of the ingredients. If the mixture is too “dry,” add more honey. If too “moist,” add more oats.
Take one tablespoon of mixture and roll into a ball. Let them “air dry” for about an hour. This makes a drier crust so that they aren’t as apt to stick together when you baggie them up. Place in a Ziploc baggie or airtight container and store in the refrigerator. These also freeze well.
I always keep some of these on hand. They are a great healthy snack. Use caution though as “it’s impossible to eat just one” and they aren’t calorie free!
