Oatmeal Chocolate Peanut Butter Ball

It’s been a while since I’ve made these and every time I do, I forget how easy they are to make. Six ingredients, one bowl, two hands. Ya dun. I made these during my internship with Exos, a sports performance facility. It was advertised as quick and easy snack to replenish energy stores after a workout or have on hand for in-between meals. They are pretty heavy laden with calories so you want to make sure you don’t shove them all in your face at one time (trust me-it can happen). The peanut butter, chia seeds, and flax seeds are good sources of monounsaturated fats (think: heart healthy). Whole grains, specifically from the rolled oats, contain fiber which may help reduce cholesterol levels but also helps keep hunger at bay until your next meal. I used dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate for added benefits, like antioxidants and less saturated fat content. Yummy! Eat up!

1 cup whole grain rolled oats, uncooked

1/2 cup no sugar added peanut butter

1 tablespoon chia seeds

1/2 cup flax seeds, ground

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

1/3 cup honey or agave (I used agave in this recipe)

Unsweetened coconut flakes (optional)

Directions

Mix ingredients together in a large bowl. Combine well using hands, making sure to eliminate any large peanut butter clumps. Using a tablespoon, scoop out mixture and roll into a ball in between hands. Continue until all the mixture is finished. If desired, roll balls in coconut flakes.

*If it seems to be melting in your hands and you’re having trouble keeping it all together, let the balls sit in the fridge to harden for a few minutes before eating.