Recipe: Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls

Gluten Free Recipe: Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls 

Confession: I, Gemma have a major sweet tooth. If it was socially acceptable to eat Rowntrees Randoms all day I could and I would, though I’m sure I would be feeling like a bloated, uncomfortable ball by the end of the day. In reality, I try to eat healthy most of the time, cooking (well my boyfriend) from scratch at home whilst devouring whatever the hell I want (gluten free of course) when I go out. Life is all about balance. There’s always this craving mid-afternoon though where I just need something sweet. Instead of trapesing to the office vending machine in search for a gluten free chocolate bar, I’ve been trying out that thing people talk about… ‘Being prepared’.

When in the ‘zone’ and firmly on the healthy eating band wagon, I try to stay clear of confectionary goods and try to, where possible, only eat homemade goodies. This fuelled my taste buds into finding an alternative to satisfy and curb my cravings, and with an adaption of a few recipes found online, we’ve found a winner. Little chocolatey, peanut butter balls with the added choice of a sprinkle of coconut = heaven. Even my boyfriend, who is a self-confessed Monster Munch addict has been known to help his hand to them - much to my annoyance. 

A few notes before I write down the recipe. A tough ingredient to find, but one that is well worth hunting down is Raw Cacao Powder. “Isn’t it just cocoa?” no, it’s Cacao. Cacao is a powerful superfood, high in antioxidants and flavonoids, contains essential vitamins and minerals whilst promoting healthy skin – all this whilst satisfying that chocolate craving! In the past I’ve bought it from Holland & Barratt but picked up a huge packet from Amazon (link here) and use it all the time. It’s great to make homemade chocolate with, add into a smoothie and sprinkle over porridge or granola. Now, onto the recipe…

Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls. 

GF Chocolate Protein Energy Balls

A protein filled snack that ticks both the sweet and savory check boxes whilst also satisfying a sugar craving. I keep them in the fridge, sealed and stored in a Tupperware container – they should last about 2 weeks. Depending on how big you want them, the recipe should make around 15 balls.

You will need: 1/4 cup of smooth peanut butter (my personal preference for avoiding all the nasty additives is Whole Earth Crunchy Peanut Butter (smooth is also a favorable contender), 1/4 cup of maple syrup, 1 cup of gluten free oats, 1/4 cup hazelnuts, 2TBSP Coconut Oil, 4 TBSP Raw Cacao Powder and a pinch of salt. Depending on my mood and what I fancy, I sometimes chuck in 1/4 cup of desiccated coconut. 

All you need to do is blend all the ingredients together until a smooth, sticky mixture is formed. Now I’ve previously used my blender and it has coped fine, however with my boyfriend now hogging it the majority of the time coupled with my forgetfulness, I have yet to purchase a food processor. I tend to just stick the hazelnuts in for a quick blitz before adding all the ingredients into a big bowl and mixing by hand. 
Its a tricky mixture to stir, so be prepared to roll those sleeves up and get in there with your hands. When all the mixture is combined, I take a tablespoon measure, scoop up the mixture and mould it into a ball. Again, depending on my mood, I sometimes chuck the ball into a bowl of desiccated coconut for a light, crisp and naturally sweet coating. I repeat until the mixture is gone  pop them into the fridge for a few hours to set. Strangely, these taste much better when set so don’t panic if you sneak a taste beforehand. I then transfer them into an airtight container and leave them in the fridge, ready for popping in my gym bag, work bag or to simply enjoy with a cup of coffee on the sofa! Crunchy, salty, sweet goodness - ready for whenever the craving hits.