No Bake Protein Energy Balls with Chickpeas

Want a guilt-free snack that will satisfy you and prevent sweet cravings? You’ll love this all-natural, protein-energy ball recipe made with chickpeas, peanut butter, and oats.

Energy balls have become my new go-to snack. They are healthy, versatile and tasty. They’re also quick to make (which may be my #2 reason for making them…#1 being that the healthy part.).

I started making them as a healthy snack for my kids in school. Ideally, I’d love for my kids to be content with the fruit, carrot sticks, and edamame I give them, but, let’s face it, most times they’re not. (In fact, it only took one month into pre-K to hear, “But M’s mom gives her Goldfish and Oreos. I want those tomorrow!”

Four years of healthy eating thrown out the window!)

Despite all that, my kids love the energy balls – especially the ones made with peanut butter. My husband also loves them, so I wind up making several batches at a time. Lately, these protein balls have been great for the following, especially since they are so easy to transport:

1. School lunch boxes

2. Long car trips

3. Post sports practice

4. The beach/park

5. Post gym workout

6. Anytime you need a healthy, protein-rich little pick me up

They’re perfect for kids who need healthy snacks during the day to keep up their higher energy demands and for adults who need a portion-controlled snack to fuel their metabolism and ward off sluggishness.

The first protein energy balls I made had a base of peanut butter, oats and honey. That’s it! Clean and natural. (And you can substitute any nut/seed butter (like almond/soy/sunflower butter) for the peanut butter.) I mixed it by hand, but I found it a little annoying as the sticky batter always sticks to my hands. So, I started adding it to my mini food processor instead. Much better! Although my kids like them better when I mix them by hand.

Then, I read how the energy ball base could be chickpeas! Whaaat? Fiber, protein and vitamins in my energy ball snack?? A dietitian’s dream…

Whipping these energy balls up in the food processor speeds things up a lot, but increases your dishes. Rubbing the skins off the chickpeas took the most time, but it’s really not so bad. Doing this allows for a smoother consistency, but it’s not necessary.

(Update: I no longer rub off the skins and I don’t notice the difference at all. And I use black beans and they work out great!)

And I usually cut the sugar (in every recipe), but these definitely needed the sweetness, so I compensated with adding some chocolate chips.

There are so many varieties of energy balls, you’ll never run out of snack ideas! You can also make them with a base of chopped dates. If you like these quick, healthy energy balls, try these:

No-Bake Protein Energy Balls with Chickpeas

Ingredients:

• 1 15 oz can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup oats (can be 1 minute or 5 minute oats)
• 1/2 cup All-natural smooth peanut butter
• 1/3 cup honey
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:

• For a smoother consistency, rub skins off chickpeas. (But it didn’t make a difference in the final product, really)
• Add all ingredients to a food processor except chocolate chips.
• Blend until combined. Add a little water if it’s too thick.
• Remove mixture to a bowl, mix in chocolate chips. Refrigerate until firms slightly.
• Roll into tablespoon-sized balls.
• Try not to eat them all at once!

Nutrition Facts: Serving size: 1 ball. Makes about 15 balls.

• Calories: 104, Carbohydrates: 12.7 grams, Fiber: 3.4 g, Fat: 5g, Protein: 3.3g, Sugar: 6.5 g