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? ›

You get to watch whole peanuts transform into the smoothest, creamiest nut butter you've ever seen. Its oozy texture beats any store bought brand I've tried, and its rich peanut flavor is out of this world. You won't be able to resist eating it by the spoonful!

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.

Is peanut butter healthy? ›

Peanut butter is a classic treat for all ages. The right kind, enjoyed in moderation, can be a nutritious part of a healthy diet. Peanut butter provides healthy fats, protein, and fiber. It's also rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin E, niacin, and magnesium.

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.

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

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. Peanuts are high in phosphorus, which can limit your body's absorption of other minerals like zinc and iron.

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.

Are protein balls healthy? ›

Protein balls (or bliss balls, if you prefer) are great on-the-go snack if you're trying to eat healthily or looking to lose weight. Filled with fiber-rich and protein-packed ingredients like oats, dates and nuts, they'll keep you fuller for longer – plus you don't need protein powder to make them.

How unhealthy is a spoonful of peanut butter? ›

Peanut butter is high in fat and calories

Peanut butter is a calorie-dense food that's rich in heart-healthy fats. Just 2 tablespoons (32 grams) provide 204 calories and 16 grams of fat ( 1 , 2 ). Therefore, it's a great food for a healthy, balanced diet, but large amounts may increase your daily calorie intake.

Is peanut butter 100% healthy? ›

It's fairly rich in nutrients and a decent protein source. It's also loaded with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, although this doesn't seem as significant when you consider the high calorie load. It is perfectly fine to incorporate moderate amounts of peanut butter into a healthful diet.

How much peanut butter can I eat a day? ›

It is OK to eat peanut butter every day, but in moderation. Do not eat more than 2 tablespoons, approximately 32 grams, a day. This protein-packed spread is made by blending roasted peanuts into a thick paste and contains various nutrients that promote good health.

Can dogs eat peanut butter? ›

Can dogs eat peanut butter? Yes, dogs can eat peanut butter, but it's important to check the label before spoiling your dog with this delicious treat as added ingredients could be harmful for them. For example, xylitol, a sugar substitute, is extremely toxic for dogs and can sometimes be found in peanut butter.

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

Is homemade peanut butter better for you than store-bought? ›

While many commercial brands add unnecessary oils, making it yourself is a much healthier option because you control what goes into it. Homemade peanut butter is also cheaper than most natural brands in the stores.

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 cheaper to make your own peanut butter or buy it? ›

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.

Is making peanut butter cheaper than buying it? ›

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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