Healthy Peanut Butter Balls

It is no secret that I love peanut butter.  So you can imagine my excitement when I was selected to participate in the Foodbuzz Tastemaker program with the National Peanut Board.  The task was to create a snack recipe using peanut butter and incorporating other ingredients found in most homes. Easy enough! 

I wanted to make something healthy, convenient and easy.  I also wanted to make something with oats.  It was time to roll up my sleeves, grab ingredients from the pantry and experiment.

After adding a little here, a touch there,...voila! I finally got the results I was looking for, using simple wholesome ingredients found in my pantry.

This healthy snack could not be any easier to make. The recipe requires no baking; simply measure, mix, roll and chill. The mixture may seem a little dry at first, but as you continue to mix it comes together (or add a little more honey or peanut butter to moisten the mixture to a consistency that works for you). Rolling the balls in a coating as optional. It makes the balls a little less sticky on the fingers, and also is a fun way to vary the flavors, but it is not necessary.

Healthy Peanut Butter Balls are a healthy and delicious snack, or even a quick breakfast on-the-go, featuring one of my favorite foods of all time...peanut butter! 

Healthy Peanut Butter Balls
Yields 16-18 balls

1 cup peanut butter, natural is preferred (chunky or creamy)
2 tablespoons honey (or agave nectar)
1 cup rolled oats
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed or wheat germ
2 tablespoons sweetened flaked coconut
cocoa powder, wheat germ, powdered sugar, chopped peanuts, (optional) - for coating

1. Heat peanut butter and honey in the microwave until easily mixed, about 15-20 seconds.  Stir until blended.  
2. In a separate bowl, mix oats, flaxseed and coconut (if using) until combined.
3. Add peanut butter mixture to oat mixture and stir until incorporated.  (Mixture may seem a little dry at first...just keep mixing).
4. Form a rounded tablespoonful of the combined mixture into a ball and place on a plate.  Repeat until all mixture is used.  Now, if you do not want to coat the balls, skip to step 6.  
5. Roll each ball in whatever coating suits your preference.  Cocoa powder, powdered sugar, wheat germ, cinnamon sugar and chopped peanuts are some ideas.
6. Chill the plate of balls in the refrigerator to set for at least an hour, or overnight.   

Disclaimer: As part of the Foodbuzz Tastemaker program, I was provided with 2 jars of Planters peanut butter, from the National Peanut Board, for free.  The details of my experience are exclusively my opinion, and I was not otherwise influenced or compensated.