7 Quick Protein Ball Recipes to Give You an Energy Boost
by JACKIE NEWGENT, RDN, CDN
Jackie Newgent, RDN, CDN
Jackie Newgent, RDN, CDN, is a chef, nutritionist, recipe developer, media personality and award-winning cookbook author. She’s a cooking instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education and frequent contributor to Rachael Ray Every Day magazine. Her newest book is the second edition of "The All-Natural Diabetes Cookbook." Instagram/Twitter: @jackienewgent
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We’ve got some great balls of energy for you! These scrumptious bites are fun to eat and great for you. Our energy balls offer a mix of protein, carbs and good fats. With at least four grams of protein per serving, these treats are ideal after a workout. All of our protein balls are a breeze to make — no baking required. From hemp “brownie” to savory goat cheese, fig and pistachio, there’s a flavor combination to please every palate. So whether you're stashing these in your purse or gym bag, you can look forward to snacking on these convenient, bite-sized treats.
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1 CHOCOLATE CHIP AND CHICKPEA
If you’re fond of chocolate-chip cookie dough, you’ll find these bites to be a real treat. They may taste like cookie dough, but that’s where the similarities stop — these are actually good for you! You’ll get plenty of protein from a combination of chickpeas, ground flaxseed, peanut butter and peanut powder. Consisting of finely crushed roasted peanuts, peanut powder is a whole-food source of protein. And when choosing which chocolate chips to include, go with bittersweet chocolate rather than semisweet chocolate for more heart-healthy cocoa polyphenols.
Peanuts or pistachios? You don’t have to decide which nut is your favorite. Have both in this sweet, salty, nutty recipe. It features both peanut butter and roasted pistachios. In addition to providing plant-based protein, pistachios and peanuts provide notable amounts of phytosterols, which play a role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Just pop one of these treats into your mouth whenever you need a little energy pick-me-up or a quick post-workout bite.
For a taste of the tropics, whip up a batch of these coconut-covered bites. Much of their flavor comes from orange and lime zest, so don’t forget to include both in the recipe. The balls consist of cashews, almonds and dried dates. And don’t discount the health benefits of dates; their exceptional sweetness comes with a significant amount of fiber, potassium, magnesium and antioxidants.
Not having a proper, balanced breakfast is a bad idea. But in the real world, there’s not always enough time. Luckily, if you have these breakfast-inspired balls stashed in your fridge or freezer, skipping breakfast will no longer be necessary. For a meal, grab one or two balls along with a plain, grass-fed Greek yogurt, if you can. Otherwise, enjoy them as a midday snack. They have plenty of oats to punch up your soluble fiber intake for the day too.
In terms of nutrition, it’s like brownie batter gone wild! Rather than using excessive amounts of highly processed carbs, this recipe consists of black beans, peanut butter, oats, unsweetened cocoa powder, pure vanilla extract, unrefined coconut oil, sea salt, hemp seeds and just enough coconut nectar (or honey) for natural sweetness. A brownie-inspired ingredient list doesn’t get much “cleaner” than this. But these energy bites are so tasty that you won’t even notice they’re healthy.
If you have more of a “savory tooth” than a “sweet tooth,” these balls are right up your taste-bud alley! These mini cheese balls are made with goat cheese, hemp seeds and pistachios for plenty of protein. Add in salt and pepper for seasoning and dried Black Mission figs for a complementary hint of natural sweetness. And if you prefer to up the savory factor, use sun-dried tomato bits in place of figs. For added texture, each ball is coated in black sesame seeds. Not only do they provide distinctive color and crunch, sesame seeds contain sesamin, which can help protect the liver.
Want to protect your nervous system? Research suggests that having about a handful of pecans every day might actually help. So go ahead and grab a few. These balls are a flavorful and healthful way to enjoy pecans as well as so much more, including whole grains and seeds. The treats exude a delicious, pie-like essence that comes from dates, pure maple syrup, pure vanilla extract and cinnamon. But while a slice of pecan pie can contain as much as 500 calories, these treats contain far less.
Have you tried snacking on protein balls before? Which of these would you try? What’s your favorite way to punch up your protein intake? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
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