Peanut Butter Cup Amazeballs
They may taste like a treat, but these peanut butter cup protein balls are healthy! Keep them around in the fridge to have on hand for a boost of healthy fat and protein!
It was only a matter of time, right?
Since amazeballs are a standard snack in our house, I love to come up with new flavor combos. Recently, I’ve been switching up my nut butter rotation. I’ve always loved almond butter, but way back before I knew AB existed (and my wallet was a lot happier), I was a peanut butter girl. Lately, I’ve rekindled my love for peanut butter just to switch things up, and as soon as I put some into the food processor to make amazeballs, I had visions of Reese’s peanut butter cups dancing in my brain.
And then this happened:
So it’s not a real Reese’s -and I may have to track one down after writing this post now- but it’s a great protein-packed snack option and fun flavor alternative to the usual amazeball.
The secret ingredient?
Nutritional yeast.
While it’s optional, it gives the ballz extra protein plus a rich, nutty flavor.
The funny thing is that I was starting to clean up after making these, while holding Liv, and she kept saying, “bite?! bite?”
I always share my food with her -somehow she thinks it tastes better if it came off my plate- and enjoy the obviously off-limit things (like a glass of red) after she’s tucked into bed for the night. But now, here she was wanting a bite of my protein powder-filled ball.
I gave her a bite of the apple I’d chopped for us on the counter, and she shook her head, pointing to the food processor, still saying, “bite?”
The girl can’t be fooled, and I would have felt like a giant jerk trying to ignore her and washing out the container in front of her very eyes. I gave her a little bite. Not what I’d call a toddler-friendly snack -I’d love to make her something like this– but she was pretty happy. Lesson of the day: if she can’t have some, I’ll save it for naptime. 😉
Peanut Butter Cup Amazeballs
- Yield: 5 1x
Ingredients
- 2 T peanut butter (or any nut butter you love)
- 2 T protein powder of choice (I love my Sun Warrior, but anything will work- chocolate or vanilla flavor)
- 1 t cocoa powder
- 1–2 t nutritional yeast (optional; a little goes a long way, so remember that you can always add a little more)
- 2 T unsweetened coconut flakes or oats
- 1/4 t cinnamon
- pinch of sea salt
- 1/2 t vanilla
- 2 T maple syrup (the pure stuff! Honey works too, but tends to be realllllyyyyy sweet)
- 1/2 pack of Stevia (optional)
- 1 heaping T chocolate chips
- Almond milk, for texture (I used about 1 T)
Instructions
- Pulse all of the ingredients, expect for the chocolate chips in a small food processor, until the texture is smooth.
- Add in the chocolate chips (I love mini ones!), almond milk as needed, and pulse to combine.
- Using a melon ball scooper, or a large spoon, scoop and roll with your hands into spheres. Store covered in the fridge, and enjoy as a portable, protein-packed snack!
Enjoy 🙂
xoxo
Gina
Winter Shape Up check-in! How are you spending your active recovery? Are you eating like PRO today? What PROtein and PROduce-filled snacks are you enjoying?
Here are some more amazeballs flavors:
Congratulations to the first giveaway winner:
Rachel C!
She said, “I love this workout! I did the warm-up plus two circuits. It took me about 35 minutes which is my standard workout time. I’ll try to add in a HIIT on Wednesday when I do Workout #1 again. (I’m always slower the first time through since I’m “learning” the workout.) I LOVE the strong Superman move. I felt muscles that I didn’t even know I had! Haha!”
Congratulations! Send me your shipping info (fitnessista at gmail dot com) and we’ll get your shiny new Garmin on the way!
2 more WSU giveaways this week… stay tuned 🙂
114 Comments
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What makes them unfriendly for toddlers? This is an honest question — I’m not a mom, so I have no idea what toddlers can/can’t eat. Is it the peanut butter?
they’re not unsafe, but i’m trying to avoid giving her cocoa for a while (it’s a stimulant- she has enough energy as it is haha) and stevia
You could make her carob ones? If I don’t feel like giving Manus Choc smoothie, I’ll make it carob and it doesn’t need sweetening 🙂 I know Manus would love these balls and he’d call them ‘cake’. Lol
ohh i love that idea! i wish manus and livi could play together so much- they’d have a blast
I think they sound very similar – cheeky monkeys!
I’m going to say the protein powder. A little bite probably won’t hurt, but it’s not something a child should have on a regular basis.
Oops! Gina’s comment didn’t show up on my iPhone until I submitted my comment.
Depends on the protein powder – my toddler has ours frequently – its raw sprouted brown rice, pea protein and hemp – awesome for my baby 🙂
i agree- many protein powders have a sketchy ingredient list, and even though sun warrior is raw and brown rice-derived, i’m not comfortable giving liv stevia.
Hi Gina! I know you’re probably getting tons of requests for little changes to winter shape up, so I’m sorry for adding another one! But I was just wondering if there’s any way you could add a printer friendly version of the workout like you did for the summer shape up? Thanks!
Agreed! 🙂
sure! i need to find a good one for wordpress though because the last one was part of the reason my blog kept crashing so we had to disable it, along with a lot of other plugins
I had no trouble copying and pasting it right into word- it printed great. Thanks so much!
Great idea! Thanks!
haha I first read plug ins as penguins! A common issue with computers 🙂
YUM! Can’t wait to try this flavor….I made your Quinoa trail mix muffins last week for work snacks and they were awesome!
I remember a while back when everyone was putting nutritional yeast in their homemade PB cups, but this is a great idea to add it to a protein bite/ball!
These sound great 🙂
Any recipe with peanut butter? Count me in. 🙂 Def. putting this recipe on my to-do list this weekend.
Never would’ve thought to put nutritional yeast in something chocolate/PB flavored!
Good call adding nutritional yeast! I can’t wait to make these — I just so happen to have 1/2 a package of chocolate protein powder that’s been begging to be used 🙂
I made the original Amazeballs yesterday and shared them with my 8-year-old. We both loved them! I wondered if I shouldn’t be feeding her a bunch of protein powder, but then I decided it couldn’t hurt. You mentioned you don’t consider this toddler food. What about bigger kids?
Active recovery = Yoga!
bigger kids i don’t think it’s a big deal- i think there are worse things out there, but would avoid soy protein powder
Okay, thanks! And I forgot about the stevia. I didn’t use it in this recipe. I’ve only recently decided it’s okay for my family. Wouldn’t want to give it to a toddler.
Hi Gina!
I have a question/favor. Do you plan to put the form cues into the WSU workouts? I always appreciate the pictures, but the form cues help me too:) For example, I am not totally sure what a strong superman is? I know what a regular superman is, but is there a difference?
Thanks!!
Meg
Planning on having your Perfect Protein Pancakes for the first time this morning for breakfast…topped with some banana slices and berries. Starting the day off right by eating like a PRO!
I cannot wait to make these!! I’ve been putting a tiny bit of peanut butter in my oatmeal and it makes it so much better
Those ballz look good! (I’m sniggering to myself as I type that, I’m such a child sometimes)
Today was active recovery for me, uphill (and back downhill) walking with the double pushchair and 1-3 children 🙂
I did workout 1 yesterday and I loved it!
I’m checking in a little late, since I did my workout late last night! I did the warmup (w/ high-knees, the jump rope scared my kittens), w/ the workout #1 three times through, and I think 12 minutes of HIIT on the elliptical (it’s low on batteries, so the timer kept resetting). My booty is on fire this morning!
I think I’m going to trade out active recovery for steady state- boss is in town this week, which means late hours, and I don’t know when I can make it to the gym, so I have to grab opportunities as I see them! Those amazeballs look delicious!
I just recently fell in love with your original chocolate chip amazeballz, and then you make a Reese’s PB Cup version?! Reese’s are my all time favorite, so I’m sure I’ll have no trouble loving these just as much, if not more. 😉 The nutritional yeast in them definitely intrigues me! Do you taste it much?
Isn’t it fantastic, that I just got 2 packs of nutritional yeast in my vitacost order today??? Can’t wait to try these I am in love with amazeballs!!
I don’t know if I can handle this nut butter goodness! 🙂 I’ll be trying these soon with almond butter!
These look amazing! Thanks for sharing!
Love these and the husband will, too! Thanks Gina!
Hey Gina! I shifted this week’s WSU up a day, so I just finished the first workout. It’s a doozy, thanks so much! My legs were too beat for HIIT afterward, but I managed to bust out 20 minutes of steady state. Random question—what are your thoughts on pedaling backwards on the elliptical? I always feel like I’m cheating when I do it, but sometimes I need a little break and figure it’s better to keep moving. Are there benefits to changing direction, or would I be better off just going at a lower resistance for a few minutes?
I’ll be playing basketball for my active recovery day…a bit more active than recovery, but it’s a great stress reliever. I can definitely feel my things, hips, and buns today!
Ahh! I am so excited (and surprised) about winning the Garmin! I hopefully it will provide the motivation I need to start running again. (I did a Half last spring, but got burnt out and injured my foot in the process, and I’ve not found the motivation to start back.)
So this might be a strange question, but what do Amazeballs taste like? Because I’ve never tried it before, the idea of protein power (and protein balls) kind if scares me. I have visions of biting into super dense, dry things. I know that can’t be the case since you eat them all the time, but I haven’t even able to jump over the hurtle to try then. Also, what are the benefits of using protein power? I am always scared to try supplements like that.
Oh, and today I am either going to run outside or do your Walking workout to stretch my hips and legs.
I am going to be making the regular amazeballz tonight after dinner, cant wait!! I actually changed around the schedule and did steady cardio today and will take active recovery on Thursday which will most likely be a walk with the little one (somewhere since it’s going to be 19 degrees).
Hey Gina,
These amazeballs look awesome and I bet they pack quite a protein punch. I think I am going to give them a shot over the weekend. I’m off to the store now to collect some of the ingredients. I’ll let you know how I get on. Keep’em coming with these recipes 😉
Sean
How long will amazeballs last in the fridge? (assuming I don’t eat them all in a day…) I was thinking of making a larger batch and having them on hand.
Can’t wait to try these amazeballs ! I’m always looking for snack ideas on-the-go!
I am so making these this weekend! Yummy!
These look amazing Gina! I would never think to add nutritional yeast in there but I bet it adds great flavor!
Mm- those look delicious! And if it’s toddler approved, I feel like it must be pretty tasty.
I had to switch around my days this week, so today was an HIIT and steady day. I did some incline interval walking on the treadmill for a half hour, and it was a doozy! My booty was on fire, especially after workout 1 yesterday.
Peanut butter, yes please and thank you!! Once all my kitchen stuff gets unpacked these are at the top of the list.
Quick question, where do you get the yeast at? Do you have to order it online?
Hey Gina! Is it too late to join the winter shape up??
I went to yoga this morning, had a protein smoothie for breakfast and packed a lunch of homemade chicken salad over greens and a pink lady apple! I really need to try these amazeballs, they look like the perfect pre-workout snack!
My active recovery is going to be basketball practice with my 8 year old son! We do warm up sprints to start our practice and he enjoys “racing” me! One of these days he’ll be faster than me, right now I let him think that! 🙂
I LOVE the original amazeballz, and just whipped up a double batch of these. Yum! Thanks for the recipe.
I’ve been a regular reader for about 2 years, your blog is one of my all-time faves, but there’s always been something preventing me from doing a Shape Up, and this one is no exception. Grrr. Last summer we moved, now I’m doing P90X with my husband, and we expect to be moving again this summer. I do enjoy reading along, though. 🙂
Not sure if you already answered this and its totally OT but since our girls are a mere 3 days apart, it looks like you have given her peanut butter? I was planning on it at 12 months and then my pediatrician said wait until 2 years old! That seems crazy. Most of my friends didnt wait but what do you think?? If this is too OT I totally understand…..
This recipe looks great! I think I’ll try it this weekend, looks like an awesome portable snack for plane rides!
Can’t wait to try out this recipe tonight! Thanks 🙂
I love making little energy balls, but I have to stick to almond butter because of allergies – you’ve definitely inspired me to start playing around with flavors though. I’m especially curious about the addition of nutritional yeast. I love the stuff in savory dishes, but I’ve never tried it in a sweet one. Definitely going to give it a shot!
I made them with 1 T coconut and 2 T oats and peanuts 🙂 SOOO good! at first i thought it was going to make like nothing, but it turned out great! thank you!
I am trying this recipe as soon as I get the active yeast! So yummy! This is a recipe (similar to what you posted) that I make my 2 year old all the time, and it is SO GOOD! (of course I taste test!) Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites (I’m sure you could omit the chocolate if you are trying not to give her cocoa yet):
http://thenourishinghome.com/2012/03/429/
Active recovery: My FIRST Zumba class!!!! It was awesome!!
I love WSU!!!
YUM! So excited to try this! I never would have thought of the nutritional yeast. I am loving the recipes/meal plans/workouts you’re posting for the winter shape up, definitely giving me extra motivation! 🙂
Another winter shape up question (for anyone to answer): Do we check in each day on the Week 1 Workout? Or on the morning post for that day, even if it’s not necessarily shape up related (like this morning’s post?) Thanks!
dang those look SO GOOD!!
I can’t wait to taste those balls! TWSS (I had to)
Anyway….
I am pretty sore from workout 1 yesterday. I’m excited for the rest of WSU!
I think I’m going to do a little yoga this evening for my active recovery.
I am sooo making these for our super bowl party. 😉
I’m allergic to oats and coconut. Any good alternatives you know of??
Thanks!!
almond meal might work?
grr, allergic to almonds, too. i’ll keep looking. thanks!
and for the record.. the grr is aimed at the allergies, not at you 🙂
Looove the idea of adding nutritional yeast!
Active recovery for me today was a yogadownload!
I’m SO happy I found your blog! I haven’t been following you long, but I’ve already made your turkey lentil meatballs, and now I’m *definitely* trying these! Thank you! 🙂
Ah! THIS looks amazing! Haha oh geez- i just realized the name, too. 😉 I’m a goober.. anyways, I’m going to need to make these. 🙂
Ive had eggs, oats, and protein powder and produce ive had tomatoes, onions, and avocados…thats just half of the day! I will try these balls, I made some the other day with dates and they were awesome!