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

What is the healthiest peanut butter? ›

"I recommend opting for one that say 'natural' on it, which usually means it's just peanuts with a dash of salt," Rizzo adds. When peanut butter does contain added salt, Largeman-Roth recommends choosing a brand with less than 100 milligrams of sodium per serving.

Is homemade peanut butter better for you? ›

Peanut butter is rich in a variety of nutrients. But commercial peanut butter brands often have added sugars, oils, and fats. For the best health benefits from peanut butter, look for all-natural products without these added ingredients.

Does natural peanut butter have less sugar? ›

As we now know, natural peanut butter doesn't contain any added sugars, so you would be missing that sweetness unless you add more sugar elsewhere.

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 healthy peanut butter good for weight loss? ›

Though peanut butter is high in calories and fat, it may be good for meeting your weight loss goals. Peanut butter's high protein content may help curb appetite, but eating it in moderation is key. Peanut butter is a delicious, versatile spread. It's nutrient-rich and goes well with both savory and sweet foods.

What is the best peanut butter alternative for weight loss? ›

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.

Can I eat homemade peanut butter 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.

Is peanut butter an inflammatory food? ›

The short answer is no, and in fact, peanuts and some peanut products like peanut butter have been shown to be anti-inflammatory. Inflammation in the body is a mechanism thought to be at the center of the majority of chronic diseases.

Can I eat natural peanut butter everyday? ›

How much peanut butter should I eat? If you don't have an allergy to peanuts and you enjoy their taste, a moderate amount – about two tablespoons a day – may be enjoyed as part of a varied, balanced diet.

Which peanut butter is 100% natural? ›

Smucker's® Creamy Natural Peanut Butter is 100% natural and made with two simple ingredients: fresh-roasted peanuts and a dash of salt. It's perfect for pairing with Smucker's famous jams and jellies for a great PB & J. Also enjoy as a snack with fruits or crackers, or use in recipes.

Can diabetics eat peanut butter? ›

Is peanut butter good for people with diabetes? In moderation, eating regular peanut butter (not low-fat) should be fine for people with diabetes. Low-fat peanut butter should be reduced or avoided. This is because the fat content of low-fat peanut butter can be replaced with sugar and result in more carbohydrates.

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.

Why are energy balls healthy? ›

THEY'RE HIGH IN PROTEIN

Protein balls, as their name suggests, are a great source of protein. With the inclusion of protein powder plus other protein-rich ingredients such as nut butters, nuts, seeds and a variety of other ingredients, protein balls make for a great protein-packed snack and delicious treat.

Is Jif or Skippy peanut butter healthy? ›

While they are nutritionally similar, Skippy contains 10 more milligrams of sodium than Jif and one more gram of sugar, and has fewer nutrients overall. But it does have half a milligram less saturated fat than Jif. The other main difference is how the two are sweetened. Jif uses molasses, while Skippy uses sugar.

What is the healthiest nut butter for weight loss? ›

Generally, the best nut butter for weight loss contains the most vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients. While calories also enter into this equation, they're not nearly as essential. Consequently, the healthiest nut butter for weight loss might be: Almond Butter.

Is Pip and nut peanut butter healthy? ›

Yep! Peanut butter is a great addition to a healthy balanced diet. Peanut butter is source of natural protein and, it's high in fibre (which means they have more than 6g of fibre per 100g), so it's great for a happy gut.

Is chunky or smooth peanut butter healthier? ›

As long as you are choosing a peanut butter that's all natural and pesticide free, in addition to being free from added salt or sugar, any peanut butter will be a healthy choice. However, crunchy peanut butter has a little more fiber and less saturated fat, making it overall more nutritious, even if only slightly so.

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