This would definitely be one of those. These are not a low-calorie food because I believe calories are necessary to fuel your body, and after a tough workout or in the middle of a long afternoon at work, energy is necessary. Zero calorie foods do not give you energy. Calories in moderation from whole, nutritious ingredients are calories your body wants.
This is another one of those recipes where you can add in as much as you desire, but there are only three integral ingredients. Behold the 3 ingredient chocolate peanut butter protein balls.
Obviously, peanut butter is the star of the show here. I love peanut butter just as much as the next person, and I think peanut butter makes everything better. Once upon a time when I lived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and my money for food was next to nonexistent, I used to hoard peanut butter because it was the one food that reminded me of normal life at home with my family and thankfully, it didn’t require refrigeration in the fridge that I did not have. Please don’t use the sugar and vegetable oil laden cheap stuff. Maybe the kids won’t eat peanut butter unless it’s filled with sugar and extra oil, but if you don’t use peanut butter that has a two ingredient list (peanuts, salt) then the nutritional quality of these protein balls just nose-dived. See the layer of oil at the top of the peanut butter jar? The oil in pure peanut butter naturally separates and the easy fix is to mix it all together again with a spoon before eating.
The second main component of the protein balls is this Young Living Pure Protein Complete powder. I am extremely picky about my protein powders because I don’t want a supplement filled with nasty additives, artificial flavors, or cheap protein sources that mess with my hormones. I am a firm believer in pure protein, and that is exactly what this is. My favorite protein powder ever was made locally on a farm in Santa Barbara and it was so pure 2 tbps contained 22 grams of whey isolate and whey concentrate protein. The only additive was cocoa powder for flavor–no sweeteners, no nothing. I was in love. I have searched high and low in every health food store and have never found anything that even almost compares, but Young Living’s comes close. It is soy free, flavored with organic cane juice crystals, stevia, essential oils, and spices, and it also provides a full range of amino acids, which are most important to building muscle. While it isn’t as concentrated, it is all natural, contains a full range of amino acids, and tastes so much better than protein powder flavored only with unsweetened cocoa powder. I mean, come on, what is not absolutely delicious about vanilla spice? This, ladies and gentlemen, is the bomb–the perfect complement to these protein balls.
Chocolate finishes up the base to these little balls of goodness. I like Hershey’s special dark chocolate chips because since they are dark chocolate I can somehow trick myself into believing they are healthy.
I like adding in flax and chia seeds for an addition protein and fiber boost.
Pumpkin pie spice makes it the perfect fall treat, but with the vanilla spice protein powder extra flavor isn’t exactly necessary… Still, what doesn’t taste better with pumpkin pie spice?
It comes out to more than 3 ingredients with the add-ins, but it is just as amazing with only the three. Mix all the ingredients together to form a big ball and then roll into 14 ping pong sized balls. I like to freeze them for an hour and then re-roll them so they firm up a little. If you like balls that are slightly more firm without them being frozen, add in more protein powder. Keep them stored in a plastic bag in the freezer or fridge and pop one out whenever you need a pick me up to get through a long afternoon or tough workout. They are also a wonderful post-workout treat!
3 Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all natural peanut butter
- 1/2 cup Young Living Pure Protein Complete protein powder
- 1/3 cup dark chocolate chips
Optional add-ins:
- Flax or chia seeds
- Nuts
- Essential oils for flavor
- Pumpkin pie spice
Instructions:
- Mix peanut butter and Young Living protein powder together in a large bowl.
- If you want to add any options add-ins, now is the time to add them. Pour them in and mix, mix, mix!
- Add the chocolate chips and stir until fully mixed in.
- Roll into 14 ping pong sized balls and lay on plate or baking tray.
- At this point, they will be soft and losing their shape, so pop them in the freezer or fridge for an hour and let chill.
- Remove and reshape into balls. Since they are chilled, they will now hold their shape.
- Consume immediately or store in a plastic bag in the fridge or freezer.
Serving size: 1 protein ball. Makes 14.
Nutritional information: one protein balls contains 160 calories, 9g carbs, 11g fat, 8g protein, 39mg sodium, and 4g sugar.
Happy baking, ya’ll!
Love this recipe! We use it quite often. I double the carrots and celery and add minced onion flakes to it and use Uncle Ben’s Wild Rice. After a couple hours check it to see if it needs a little bit more water added.
Meals like this have been saving my hide this summer with baseball every night! Love the addition of the beans! Pinned .