Granola Peanut Butter Energy Balls (no-bake)

Some recipes for energy balls require a machine and/or lots of ingredients. These no-bake vegan granola peanut butter energy balls (aka truffles) need neither. Readymade granola provides several tasty ingredients in one mix —oats, nuts, dried fruits, and sometimes seeds.

 Natural foods stores are a good source for a number of varieties of granola available to purchase in bulk. Of course, you can always use a good homemade crunchy granola as well.

It makes a nice mid-morning or mid-afternoon pick-me-up, or even a grab and go breakfast. Two or three at a time are quite filling.

Just 4 essential ingredients

• Granola (Choose one with a mix of oats, nuts, dried fruits, preferably with a finer rather than chunky texture; purchased or homemade)
• Cinnamon
• Maple syrup
• Smooth natural peanut butter

Purchase your favorite granola or use Homemade Crunchy Granola

Optional add-ins to vary the recipe

A few optional additions will ensure that you can vary this recipe each time you make it. Here are the suggested additions:

• 1 to 2 tablespoons maca root powder
• 1 to 2 tablespoons hemp seeds
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin or sunflower seeds
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup chocolate mini-chips

Explore more …

• Easy Peanut Butter Chocolate Truffles
• Sweet and savory peanut butter recipes
• Vegan date energy balls and truffles

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Yield: 14 to 16

Peanut Butter Granola Energy Balls

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These no-bake peanut butter granola energy balls need neither a lot of ingredients nor any machines to make.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups granola (see note)
• Pinch of cinnamon, or to taste
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 2/3 cup smooth natural peanut butter (see note)

Optional additions (add any one or two)

• 1 to 2 tablespoons maca root powder
• 1 to 2 tablespoons hemp seeds
• 2 tablespoons pumpkin or sunflower seeds
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup chocolate mini-chips

Instructions

1. Combine the granola (break up any large clumps), peanut butter, syrup, and cinnamon, and any of the optional ingredients in a large bowl and work together using clean hands. 
2. If the mixture seems too loose, add a little more granola (unless you plan to use a couple of the optional ingredients). Conversely, if it seems too dry, add a little more peanut butter. It should be of a consistency that’s easy to roll into balls
3. Rinse your hands and form the mixture into 1-inch balls with slightly damp hands. If things get sticky, rinse and dampen your hands as needed.
4. Arrange on a wax paper or parchment-lined plate and refrigerate for 30 minutes or more to allow them to firm up. Or, if you can’t wait, pop into the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes. 
5. Store any not eaten at once in a covered container in the refrigerator, where they’ll keep for at least a week.

Notes

• Choose a granola with a mix of oats, nuts, dried fruits. It’s best to use a granola that has a finer rather than chunky texture, so that these hold together more easily.

• Use peanut butter that’s not too bottom-of-the-jar stiff, yet not too runny. 
• Variation: You can roll these balls with a little cocoa or coconut flakes for a nice finish.

If you like these easy energy balls, you might also enjoy …

Here are more easy vegan appetizers and snacks and desserts & sweets.

Photos (top and middle) by Julie208/Bigstock