Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Energy Balls

Peanut butter chocolate chips energy bites...need I say more? I hate to brag, but these are quite literally perfect for any occasion - a pre-workout snack, a 4pm sweet tooth satisfier, or a nighttime dessert.

Yes, they taste delicious. I mean...peanut butter, honey and chocolate chips? In what world is that combination not heavenly? Let’s table that, and talk nutrition for a hot sec.

Peanut Butter

Ask any dietitian about their top favorite plant-based proteins, and I guarantee some form of nut butter makes the list. Peanut butter is an excellent source of protein, with about 8 grams of protein in just 2 tablespoons. 

Plus, it’s full of healthy, satiating fats. When peanuts are blended to make peanut butter, they release natural oils that are chock full of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. These fatty acids are excellent for heart health - they help to raise HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol) and lower LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol).

What’s more, these fats are super slow-digesting. This is a good thing, because that means they help to stabilize the blood sugar. The slower digesting a food is, the more slowly the process of glucose breakdown occurs. Glucose will slowly enter the bloodstream and be taken up by cells, rather than quickly. Aka, no intense blood sugar spikes and crashes.

One thing to watch out for - many peanut butters have a lot of junk in them. I’m talking hydrogenated oils, stabilizers, and added sugar…all of which is SO unnecessary. Trust me, I grew up on Skippy sweetened peanut butter. And once I tried regular, natural peanut butter, I’ll never turn back. When selecting a peanut butter, make sure it only has one or two ingredients - peanuts and salt.

Coconut Flour

I love coconut flour for this recipe for one reason...fiber! Did you know coconut flour has about 5 grams of fiber in just 2 tablespoons?! That is FABULOUS! For context, women should aim to consume about 25 grams of fiber per day, while men should aim for 38 grams. 

Fiber is another key player in stabilizing blood sugar. Fiber-containing foods are slow-digesting. Remember what that means? Blood sugar dips and spikes - be gone! Also, fiber helps with keeping potty time regular, consistent, and smooth (wink wink).

Collagen Peptides 

Okay, let’s talk protein. I love using collagen peptides in this recipe because it adds a whole lot of protein without adding a whole lot of weird taste / texture / chalkiness that so many protein powders do. 2 scoops of collagen peptides provides about 18 grams of protein - hell to the yes! 

Protein might just be my favorite macronutrient. It does so much for us. It is the literal building block of the body - it helps to build and repair muscles, bones, skin, cartilage, nails, hair...yep, pretty much everything. Skimping on protein can lead to a number of health issues, including loss of muscle mass, increased risk of bone breakage or fractures, nutrient malabsorption, weakened immune system, and intense cravings. 

All that is to say, don’t skimp on protein! And if you find that you have a hard time getting enough, I recommend supplementing with collagen peptides!