No-Bake Healthy Peanut Butter Balls Recipe - My Natural Family (2024)

Rebecca Baron 2 Comments

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This no-bake healthy peanut butter balls recipe is a LaraBar copycat recipe. I like them better than LaraBars and they are super simple to make and less than half the cost.

No-Bake Healthy Peanut Butter Balls Recipe - My Natural Family (1)

So, we're a little obsessed with these at our house right now. I love them because they only have 3 ingredients, are quick to make, taste yummy, are gluten-free, only have natural sugars, and cost a lot less than LaraBars. Every single one of my children begs for them.

The great thing is they taste just like raw peanut butter cookie dough. They are a lot healthier so I can give them to my children often and not worry about them eating a bunch of junk. I roll them into balls, hence the name, peanut butter bites but you could shape them any way you like.

The only tricky part of this recipe is that a food processor really does work best. After my husband watched me try other methods, he went out and bought me a food processor so I didn't ruin my blender.

Hopefully, it should pay for itself in a month or two since we make a batch of these every few days and they cost significantly less than LaraBars. Another thing I want to point out is that dates are getting easier to find. We bought ours at Costco, plus they have them in the bulk section at Winco.

As for the peanuts, it makes a huge difference in what peanuts you use. If you make them and they don't taste peanuty, you probably need to try a different brand of peanut. The best ones I've found are in the bulk section at my natural food health store.

I like to hide these balls in the back of my fridge and try to make them last a week or two, but they are usually gone in a few days. My children love them in their lunches or for an after-school snack. My favorite indulgence is to wait until the children and my husband are all in bed and then make coconut oil popcorn in a pan with Real Salt *.

Then I take a little bite of one of these and a few pieces of popcorn. It's so good. It's hard to explain, but the salty and sweet together are SOOO good. You've GOT to try it! And let me know if you try it. I would love to hear if anyone else likes these that way.

If you want a little less sugar in your life, you can get away with putting fewer dates, but they will be dry and crumbly. As for the number of dates stated in the recipe, it's not a hard and fast number. I slowly put them in and check the consistency and stop putting them in when they easily form a soft ball. It totally depends on how dry your peanuts and dates are.

Here is a shot of the ingredients (less salt), so you can see how simple the recipe is:

No-Bake Healthy Peanut Butter Balls Recipe - My Natural Family (2)

This is about what the mixture should look like after you've blended it. Sometimes I like to just turn it on and let it run for a while until it starts sticking together. That makes them more blended than this. Or sometimes I like them to have a texture, so I do it like the photo below. It's totally up to you how course your peanut balls are.

No-Bake Healthy Peanut Butter Balls Recipe - My Natural Family (3)

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Recipe

No-Bake Healthy Peanut Butter Balls Recipe - My Natural Family (4)

No-Bake Healthy Peanut Butter Balls Recipe (Copycat LaraBar Recipe)

★★★★★5 from 1 review

  • Author: Rebecca Baron
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x
  • Category: Snack
  • Cuisine: American
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Description

I love that the only ingredients are peanuts, date and salt. They only take a few minutes to make and I love them for either breakfast, a snack or a quick, healthy dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1 Cup dry roasted peanuts
  • 1 Cup dates
  • 1 Pinch Real Salt *

Instructions

  1. Put all the ingredients in a food processor and process until it stops.
  2. Roll them in to balls or bars.

Keywords: Easy, Quick, Healthy, Snack

No-Bake Healthy Peanut Butter Balls Recipe - My Natural Family (5)

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cheryl

    I'm excited to try it. I love dates and peanut butter so the combo sounds delish.

    Reply

  2. Robin

    Larabars for more than half the price that taste better and take only few minutes to make! I'm excited. I actually made some and I really liked them. I'm going to make them all the time.

    Reply

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No-Bake Healthy Peanut Butter Balls Recipe - My Natural Family (2024)

FAQs

Is it better to make your own peanut butter? ›

I have been making my own peanut butter for some time now and every time I'm dumb enough to have a taste of the store bought stuff I realize how good mine is. Besides being tastier, it's also healthier because you can control what goes in it. And to boot, it's very easy to do.

What are energy balls made of? ›

Sticky, sweet, and studded with chocolate chips, they taste like little balls of cookie dough, but they're made with simple, wholesome ingredients. Dates bind them together, oats add fiber, and walnuts and almond butter pack them with protein and healthy fats.

What is one creative way to use peanut butter? ›

Ideas to Try:

Add into a bowl of oatmeal. Dip apple slices in peanut butter. Add banana slices to a toasted PB&J. Spread on a rice cake or cracker.

What can you substitute for peanut butter in cookies? ›

Peanut Butter Alternatives
  • Sunflower butter. Sunflower butter is a great option for those who are allergic to not just peanuts but also tree nuts. ...
  • Almond butter (only if you are not allergic to tree nuts) Almond butter has become a very popular spread. ...
  • Soy butter. ...
  • Pea butter.
Jul 11, 2019

Why you shouldn't eat peanut butter every day? ›

Make sure to moderate your portions to avoid unwanted weight gain. While most of the fat in peanut butter is relatively healthy, peanuts also contain some saturated fat, which can lead to heart problems when consumed in excess over time.

Is peanut butter bad for you if you eat it everyday? ›

Yes, it's OK to eat peanut butter every day (in moderation), says Largeman-Roth. That means sticking to the recommended serving size of two tablespoons, or close to that amount.

Are energy balls actually healthy? ›

No bake energy balls are a perfect healthy snack, treat, and breakfast on the go. They are balanced with healthy fats, fiber, and protein. Energy balls for runners, kids, grandma, and anyone between!

How many energy balls can you eat a day? ›

These 4-ingredient protein balls have about 128 calories so you should only eat 2 of these as part of a healthy amount of calories and fat. Keep in mind that you need to consider all the foods consumed in a day and keep it within the acceptable range for your height and weight.

How many energy balls should you eat a day? ›

Protein or energy balls are a great snack to enjoy between meals, as they contain ample amounts of protein, healthy fats, and fiber. One or two balls will keep you satisfied and energised between your main meals.

What enhances peanut butter flavor? ›

Adding a small amount of vanilla extract or cinnamon for extra flavor. Mixing in cocoa powder or cacao nibs for a chocolate peanut butter. Mixing in a small amount of coconut oil for a creamier texture and a hint of coconut flavor. Mixing in a small amount of powdered ginger or nutmeg for a spicy kick.

What flavors pair well with peanut butter? ›

Food Pairings: Here Are 5 Foods That Pair Well With Peanut Butter:
  • Apples. The combination of apples and peanut butter can never go wrong. ...
  • Oats. We all know that oats are incredibly healthy for us. ...
  • Chocolate. Chocolate and peanut butter make for a stellar combination. ...
  • Berries. ...
  • Ginger.
Jan 6, 2024

Can dogs eat peanut butter? ›

Whether speaking to new or seasoned pet parents, veterinarians are often asked 'can dogs eat peanut butter? ' The good news is that regular peanut butter is safe to give your dog as a treat. Just make sure to avoid peanut butter with Xylitol, a sugar substitute found in lower or sugar-free products.

What is a healthy substitute for peanut butter? ›

Tree nut butters, such as almond, cashew, walnut, hazelnut, and pecan butters, are great substitutes for peanut butter. They all have similar nutritional profiles and provide heart-healthy fats, fiber, and antioxidants.

What is a peanut butter alternative that tastes like peanut butter? ›

Wowbutter, made with toasted soybeans and available in classic creamy or crunchy, tastes just like peanut butter. It contains a whopping 7g of soy protein, containing all 9 essential amino acids and 1200mg of omega-3 fat, both of which are important for brain and eye development.

Is homemade peanut butter better than store-bought? ›

Homemade peanut butter is easier, tastier, healthier, and cheaper than the store-bought version. There is just nothing better than a spoonful of creamy, drippy peanut butter first thing in the morning/ as a midday snack/ to satisfy pre-dinner hunger- really, at any time of the day.

Is it cheaper to make or buy peanut butter? ›

Making your own peanut butter is a win/win because you control the amount of salt and sweetener, if any, that goes into it. And it's also a lot cheaper than store brands.

Which is better homemade peanut butter or market peanut butter? ›

Store-bought peanut butter can be more cost-effective when considering the price of high-quality peanuts required for homemade preparation. Additionally, making homemade peanut butter involves energy costs associated with roasting and blending, which can add up over time.

Is it actually cheaper to make your own peanut butter? ›

If you want one ingredient peanut butter with no extra sugar or preservatives, making peanut butter at home with peanuts purchased in bulk is the cheapest option.

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