Vegan Almond Butter, Banana, + Oat Power Ball Recipe

Healthy, Flourless, Dairy-free, gluten-free, Vegan Power Balls! Perfect as a dessert or a snack at school, work, or before a quick surf! 

I must admit, I LOVE BAKING! My mom is an incredible baker and throughout my childhood she was known for her banana muffins, "Maria's Muffins" we'd call them. My mom had her secrets and turned out to be a pro at sneaking healthy foods into our yummy snacks when we were little groms because we didn't even know it! One of her tricks was to put mashed up peaches and mangos in our oatmeal or flax and hemp seeds with crushed apples in our banana muffins. Looking back, she was such a power mom. I appreciate her for always looking out for our health and not allowing soda or sugar cereal in our house. Over the years, I've developed her skills of hiding healthy foods in yummy snacks, like these Power Balls!

These Vegan Almond Butter, Banana, + Oat Power Balls are a new recipe I developed while living on the North Shore of Oahu. Chris and I are always craving something sweet before and after surfing, in the middle of the day, or as dessert after a healthy dinner. These Power Balls are perfect for just that. They include tons of fiber, vitamins, protein, and super foods, which give you the boost of energy you need in the middle of your day. These little snacks are oil-free, egg-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, have no added sugar and are simply the best!

There are tons of different ways that you can make these Power Balls. You can even eat them raw (that is how Chris likes them), however, I prefer to bake them! Below I share my go-to recipe and some alterations you can make based on your needs!

IF YOU WANT TO MAKE THEM EVEN HEALTHIER:

Take out the Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips and use Cacao Sweet Nibs. I recommend adding Gogi Berries and Maca Powder. These super foods will boost the nutrition in your Power Balls by adding more fiber, vitamins, energy boost, and protein. We get all of my super foods off of Amazon which is perfect because they can also be used in your oatmeal or smoothies!

Be sure to use Natural Almond Butter or if you want to go even healthier, try adding powdered peanut butter like PB Fit. This is the lower fat option. 

Here's the specific products I buy from Amazon!

Erin's Vegan Power Balls Recipe:

• Prep Time: 5-10 min

• Cook Time: 15 min

• Oven Temp: 350 Fahrenheit

Ingredients:

• 3 Ripe Crushed Banana's (about 1 cup)

• 2 Cups of Oats (or I usually do steal cut oats)

• 1 cup Almond Butter (I usually eye ball it!)

• 1/4 cup Chocolate Chips (unsweetened) OR 1/4 cup Cacao Sweet Nibs (healthier option)

• 1/4-1/2 cup Chia Seeds

• 1/4-1/2 cup Hemp Seeds

• 1/4 cup Cacao Powder

• 1 Spoon Honey

(Optional):

• Gogi Berries

• Maca Powder

• Maple Syrup or Vanilla Extract (to sweeten)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit

• Start by smashing the banana's and mix with oats and almond butter. Note: If the consistency is too thick, add more banana's or almond milk to smoothen consistency.

• Add rest of the ingredients and mix.

• Spoon mixture into mid-size balls and place on un-greased cookie sheet.

• Bake for 15 minutes.

• Enjoy!

I hope you Enjoy! Feel free to share your alterations to the recipe with me below! I'd love to try them!

Xx - Erin