Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Balls

A Grab-and-Go Snack for your Busy Life

If there is one thing we could all use, it’s more healthy, simple snacks. When the day gets away from us and hunger strikes, it’s all too easy to reach for something quick and loaded with sugar, salt, and trans fats. Keep these protein balls in your refrigerator (either at home or work) or pack a few into a Tupperware container and toss it into your purse or gym bag. You will be prepared with a protein-packed, all-natural, balanced snack when your stomach begins to growl – they taste delicious too!

Preparation is the key to success when it comes to healthy eating. This recipe allows you to capitalize on that principle with minimal effort or time. A large batch of these bites comes together in minutes and you’ll be ready to snack smart all week after only a few moments of prep. You may find yourself reaching for one of these balls for dessert too since they taste like peanut butter cookie dough.


Whole Food Ingredients
These snack balls are made with simple, easy-to-find, whole food ingredients, including:

• All-natural peanut butter (a delicious source of protein and good fats)
• Oat flour (all the benefits of eating oatmeal – without actually having to eat oatmeal!)
• Honey (nature’s sweetener and a great option for kids and adults alike)
• Vanilla protein powder (see section below for help in finding the highest quality protein)
• Dark chocolate chips (a boost of antioxidants plus a satisfying splurge)

Many commercial protein bars and balls have an indiscernible ingredient list full of science-experiment additives and low-quality ingredients. When you make your own protein snacks, you can control exactly what goes into them and the quality of each ingredient.

 Selecting the Best Clean Protein Powder
The protein powder aisle – whether in-store or the virtual ‘aisle’ online – can be overwhelming. With the incredible deluge of options available, it’s easy to get confused and frustrated. Every brand promises different things, and it can be hard to separate fact from fiction. Here are some simple guidelines to follow when looking for the healthiest protein powder option:

1. Choose a high quality protein powder. Many people choose plant based protein powders over dairy based (whey or casein powders) due to lactose intolerance or sensitivity to dairy proteins. Dairy proteins can also raise insulin and activate some cancer-signaling pathways (source). 
2. Whey proteins and the gluten challenge. Many athletes like whey protein due to the muscle building properties it provides as a complete protein.  According to the MayoClinic.com, there is good evidence whey protein increases muscle mass and muscle strength. Whey protein powder is a complete protein meaning that all amino acids are present. These are the building blocks of protein needed for protein to do its work. Whey protein is one of the two proteins found in cow's milk; the other being casein protein. Therefore, whey protein is a a dairy product., People do need to be careful, however.  Even though whey protein is gluten free, not all whey protein powders are gluten-free. Many whey protein powders contain the ingredient “glutamine,” which is derived from wheat protein. Therefore, people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity  should not use whey protein powder that contains glutamine.  
3. Choose a plant-based protein powder instead. Plant based proteins alleviate both dairy intolerances and gluten sensitivities.  There are many high quality and great tasting products available.  My favorite is a plant-based product made by a cancer survivor and doctor called Orgain Organic Protein & Superfoods. It is complete plant based protein along with organic fruits, vegetables, grains, grasses and probiotics.  It is gluten free,  non GMO, vegan, and soy free.
4. Avoid sugar and artificial sweeteners. Choose a protein powder that is either unsweetened or sweetened naturally with fruits. 
5. Look for a short ingredient list. The fewer ingredients, the better. Look for a tub that contains 10 ingredients or less – ideally, fewer than five.  Read the labels and look out for anything that does not include: sugars, sweeteners (artificial or refined natural),  artificial flavors, colors, thickeners and stabilizers, i.e, guar gum, lecithin, xanthan gum, vegetable oils,  gluten, dairy, or milk ingredients, GMOs, soy protein or soy derivatives, and toxic, filler, non-organic ingredients. 
6. Grassfed, non-GMO, and rBGH free. If you do choose whey protein and it fits your budget, look for one that comes that comes from grass-fed cows and is certified non-GMO and rBGH free. This means that the cows that produced the whey are well cared for and that the end product is more likely to be free from contaminants.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Protein Balls (Makes two dozen balls)
½ cup all-natural peanut butter, creamy or crunchy (or other nut butter of your choice)
½ cup oat flour (see Notes to find out how to make your own)
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
2 Tblsp. honey
2 scoops vanilla protein powder
½ cup mini dark chocolate chips
Directions:

1. Measure all ingredients into a large bowl. Use a large spoon or spatula to thoroughly combine the ingredients until the mixture forms a thick dough. Make sure there aren’t any dry bits left in the bottom of the bowl.
2. Using a 1-tablespoon size cookie scoop, portion out the mixture into balls (you may need to roll each one between your palms to create a cohesive shape). Place finished balls on a large plate.
3. Refrigerate balls until set but still chewy, approximately one hour. Transfer to an airtight container (it’s okay to stack them). Balls will keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks – if they last that long!

Recipe Notes:

• To make your own oat flour, place rolled oats in a blender or food processor and pulse until oats completely break down and form a fine flour. Store any leftover flour in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Feel free to experiment with other kinds of nut butter, other flavors of protein powder, and other mix-ins (such as seeds, chopped nuts, or coconut flakes). If your mixture becomes too dry, add more peanut butter or honey one tablespoon at a time until mixture is once again malleable.
• Use certified gluten-free oats and protein powder if you want this recipe to be gluten-free.

Recipe Source: ​https://iinrecipes.wordpress.com/2017/02/21/peanut-butter-chocolate-chip-protein-balls/

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