Protein Ball Recipe

When hiking, it's always important to have food along for needed energy. Especially if you are doing a long or strenuous hike. We tend to gravitate towards dehydrated fruits and jerky. But another favorite, is peanut butter energy balls. They are simple to make and can be customized to suit your tastes.

Not only are they tasty, but they deliver quick energy on the trail. I like to keep a batch of these sealed and in the freezer for easy grab and go the morning of a hike.

You can make these with simple ingredients that you most likely have in your pantry right now.

Ingredients:

1 cup natural peanut butter (or any other nut butter) slightly melted

1/3 cup honey or pure maple syrup

2 cups old fashioned oats

1 tsp sea salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup dried fruits

1/4 cup chocolate chips (mini works best)

2 TBS chia seeds

To make:

1. Melt your peanut butter until it's slightly runny.

2. Combine peanut butter, honey, oats, salt and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Mix well

3. Add in your fruit, chocolate chips, and chia seeds. Mix again.

4. Place your mixture in the fridge for 10 minutes

5. While the mixture is in the fridge, line a large baking sheet with parchment paper

6. Remove mixture from fridge, and form mixture into 1 inch balls. Drop on baking sheet

7. Freeze for 1-2 hours, then place in a bag and vacuum seal

   This recipe makes 24 1 inch protein balls

   
   
   
   

   

   
   

   You can customize this recipe in many different ways. I often use dried cranberries, but you could use raisins, dried currants, mango chunks, cherries, or any other dried fruit you prefer. You can add coconut flakes and cocoa powder for a different taste. I've also made these with the addition of pepitas, or chopped pecans. The sky is the limit.

   
   

   Let me know if you try this recipe and what you think of it!