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Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Protein Balls

7/27/2017 08:09:00 AM

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Protein Balls
Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Protein Balls

I've got another gym snack for you today! Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Protein Balls! Two of my favourite things, in one neat little ball. These are super easy to make and so addictive. I've made these twice in two weeks, and am really enjoying having them in the fridge as a pre-gym snack, but also as a "I'm hungry but can't ruin my appetite" snack, like when I'm cooking dinner or we're going out for dinner in an hour and I'm so damn hungry but must wait. Patience is not a virtue of mine, but at least now I'm less likely to smash a vast quantity of nutritionally deficient snack food while waiting for dinner. Victory!

While we're here, I thought I'd show you my current nut butter collection - I wrote at length about this in my Salted Peanut Rice Krispie Treats post, so why not show you this time? (N.B. I bought these all myself, nothing gifted or sponsored here).

My nut butter collection
My nut butter collection

So, these peanut butter cookie dough protein balls. I found the recipe on Dinners, Dishes & Desserts via Pinterest, and it's ridiculously easy. Just stir together peanut butter, vanilla protein powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract, oat flour and choc chips, then form into balls. Done!

Ingredients
Ingredients

I don't always love protein powder - protein shakes are certainly not my thing because I'm not a fan of the taste, particularly the strongly flavoured ones (anything beyond a vanilla or chocolate flavour is too much for me). I've tried a few different commercially-made protein snacks out of curiosity - I can handle a cookies & cream Quest Bar but I don't love them, and most of the protein snacks I've tried have an unpleasant grainy and chewy texture and slightly chalky taste. As someone who doesn't have specific gym goals, or a desire for #gains, I see no point for me to eat food that is designed with function over taste. (Perhaps one day I will be a hardcore body builder, smashing BCAAs and protein shakes, and counting my macros, but today is not that day).

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Protein Balls
Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Protein Balls

However, the protein powder works really well in these balls! I used Prana On Power Point Protein in Vanilla Crème, a vegan protein powder with a mild vanilla flavour, sweetened with Stevia. (Not sponsored, we just bought it at a health food store). The slight graininess from the protein powder gives these balls an appealing cookie-dough vibe, and it definitely makes them more filling. Left alone with a spoon and a jar of peanut butter I could easily eat a good four or five big spoonfuls at once - but with these balls, I find I'm good after just one. (Or sometimes two when I'm really hungry).

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Protein Balls
Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Protein Balls

These protein balls certainly don't taste like a "healthy" snack, they just taste delicious! They really taste like peanut butter cookie dough, with the emphasis firmly on the peanut butter. Sandra tried one and thought they were almost too peanut buttery, I... am not familiar with that concept. Enjoy!

Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Protein Balls
Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Protein Balls


Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Protein Balls
Adapted from Dinners, Dishes and Desserts

Ingredients
1/2 cup peanut butter (I used a mixture of Kraft, Reese's and Darryl's)
1 scoop vanilla protein powder (I used Prana On Power Point Protein in Vanilla Crème)
1 tablespoon maple syrup
2 tablespoons dark chocolate chips
1.5 tablespoons oat flour (whizz up some rolled oats in a blender if you don't have oat flour)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pinch of salt (if your peanut butter is unsalted)

Method
Place all the ingredients in a mixing bowl, and mix everything together with a wooden spoon until blended. You may need to add a dash of milk (dairy, soy, almond, whatever) if your mixture is too dry to form into balls.
Roll heaped teaspoonfuls of the mixture into balls - you should get approx. 12-14 out of the mixture, depending on how big you like your balls! (Heh).
Store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer

Have you made this recipe? Leave a comment below! Tag me on Instagram @sarahcooksblog and hashtag #sarahcooksblog

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3 comments

  1. Hehe I love your nut butter collection Sarah!! I am addicted to it too! :D I always eat it by the spoonful from the jar.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You've reminded me that I need to get back into a routine of making protein balls - and this is a good recipe to start with.

    I ADORE the Prana On protein powders but have yet to try the vanilla!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Sarah!
    It’s so tasty; I really enjoyed it, thanks for sharing such an easy and healthy snack recipe.

    ReplyDelete

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