So I hope you guys will bear with me, this week is going to be all about peanut butter. It started back here with these noodles and sauce and really hasn’t stopped since. I’m going to place the blame for it continuing squarely on this lovely Sprouted Kitchen recipe, of which the recipe for today’s treats are based. So. Much. Peanut Butter. Yummy.
For those of you not sensitive to peanuts, I’m sure you’ll appreciate the draw of this yummy (inexpensive) protein rich food. There are surely reasons for some to avoid this not so nutty nut, and those allergic are likely perfectly comfortable subbing in their favorite nut in place of the legume that is the peanut. Growing up, we always enjoyed a little peanut butter on toast with honey, or used it to roll up leftover homemade chapatis for our school lunches. My parents were pretty hardcore about all the peanuts we consumed being organic, and to this day, we are too as it is an extremely high-pesticide ground crop.
Ever since I saw the original recipe for PB Bites here, I have not been able to get them (or peanut butter for that matter) out of my mind. Given that I don’t currently own a food processor, I set to work making them without, so if you have a decent blender or hand blender, you should be able to satisfy your craving just the same. If you do use a food processor, feel free to omit the soaking of the dates, or just try the original recipe – either way the texture will be quite different and you surely can’t go wrong.
The Less:
Less grain based sweet treats means less cooking, and heated snack foods. Fewer baked cookies & sugary foods means more natural sweets and filling wholeness. Less pre-made & packaged energy bars means less waste, high cost, and store visits, so a few steps to the pantry and you’re set.
The More:
More high-protein nutty snacks means less grains & blood sugar issues. More super-food cocoa nibs means more crunchy, chocolatey flavors. More raw almonds & sweet dates means more clean burning plant fuel, so breakfast on the go not only feels, but also tastes amazing, and keeps you going for hours.
Peanut Butter Breakfast Bites:
Adapted From Sprouted Kitchen
- (1) cup pitted whole dates, soaked 3-4 hours in cold water
- (1/4) cup date soaking water
- (1) cup raw almonds, ground finely
- (1) tsp vanilla
- (1/2) cup peanut butter, smooth or crunchy
- (1/2) cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- (1/4) cup cocoa nibs (optional)
- (1/4) tsp salt
Start by soaking the dates in enough cold water to cover. Let soak at room temperature to soften for 3-4 hours or so (you can get away with less if you need to). When ready, drain the dates and reserve (1/4) cup of the soaking water. Combine the soaked dates and the reserved water in the blender, and blend on high. Use a spatula to agitate and blend until the dates are ‘creamed’. Transfer to a mixing bowl.
Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and mix with your hands until well combined. Get in there and squish everything together well. If you need, add more coconut or peanut butter to thicken, but the mixture should be sticky but dry enough to form balls with.
Roll the mixture into balls and transfer onto a parchment lined baking sheet or a clean plate. Use a fork to press the balls in to flat discs. Repeat until they are all ready and refrigerate.
These sweet & slightly salty treats will satisfy as a balanced mouthful in the morning if you are a light breakfast eater like me on most days. They will keep for weeks in the fridge – if they last that long!
These bites are close to this bliss ball recipe, which looking back shows me just how much this blog has evolved in a year. It’s pretty entertaining to look back a year later, and come to think of it, it has been quite a while since I posted a little something sweet!
It feels good to celebrate peanut butter again (in moderation of course), I think it may have something to do with my co-workers jar that hangs out on her desk, settled comfortably with a knife just in reach. I’ve been blessed a few times in the past while by a few well-timed mouthfuls, just enough to keep me going through the day.
I hope you’ll stick around to see what else we’ve got in store…warning: it’s a real treat. Cause sometimes, you’ve just got to, you know?
Yours in Less,
This sounds like a perfect recipe to experiment with using a food processor. I already know it will be amazing because:
1. You say so.
2. It has peanut butter, chocolate, and coconut in it.
Marian! You are correct – a match made in heaven! Perfect for processing indeed – enjoy!
Bring on the peanut butter!!
It’s about time Annie! You’ll love the next post too
X
Hi Shira! So sorry I’ve not been keeping up with you! It’s inexcusable! Still, I’ve just mentioned you in an interview for another blog, so I hope you get mentioned there
. These look lovely!
Fantastic to see you Nick! Would love to learn more about this interview – do tell!
These look way to friggin good! Saving (pinning) these for later! xo
They are so amazing Kristy – enjoy! X
Hey Shira!
These look so yummy I have them in my fridge right now! Right now they are still on the parchment. Once they firm up in there do you transfer them into a covered container? or will they still stick together?
How did they turn out Katie? Hope they didn’t stick together too much!
Great! They are super delish! I crave peanut butter so badly these days (being 9 months pregnant might have something to do with that
)
I just bought peanut butter for the first time in months and I have been in absolutely heaven! I think I have to make these
Enjoy Gabby! I’m so into the peanuts these days too – you will love these!
Oh peanut butter is my weakness – I actually had to stop keeping a jar at my desk, it was just to easy to sneak spoonfuls throughout the day! These look like the perfect fix – everything I love all in one easy to go bite!
Ha ha funny Heather! Thankfully I’m not at the office all day or I’d owe Melissa at least one jar by now….
enjoy!
I’ve been on a pb kick lately, too. These look absolutely delicious and I conveniently have all of the ingredients in my kitchen already!
Perfect timing Katie! Let us know how they turn out! xo
I haven’t been able to get PB out of my mind all week either! Must be on the same nutty wavelength
these sound absolutely amazing! I might just have to turn the rest of this week into PB week as well. Thanks for sharing!
Great wavelength to be on – I love it!! I think I’m with you..keep it coming! Thanks!
done and in fridge. they may not make it to morning. note to self…double recipe. i just didn’t have enough pb on hand. they are a little gooey still. should i add more almonds and coconut? and how sticky should they be after being in the fridge?
Fantastic! If they are too sticky (they shouldn’t be too sticky to roll into balls) try more coconut or almonds if you have extra…they will stay moist in the fridge but hard enough to not stick together — I’m ready to start another batch too … I add a little extra salt too to make them über satisfying. Enjoy Amanda! XO
Shira, I fully support your peanut butter kick!! I love peanut butter and these look amazing!! What delightful treats…I am going to make these
Thanks Lilly Sue! I need all the support I can get…so happy everyone is on board! XX
You can never use too much PB throughout the day! I have been cranking out my energy balls like crazy because I eat like 5 a day!! YUM! I will have to give these guys a try next time!
You are in to something goooooood with your energy balls Britt! Let me know what you think of these babies
Shira I love them!! I am sure they are delicious, a real breakfast treat
XXX
Made them again this weekend Anne – amazing to have in the fridge for whenever! XX
Love the idea Shira of a something to pop in the mouth when energy’s lagging and this seems like just the ticket! As far as I’m concerned you can just keep up with this peanut butter kick as long as you like!
xo
Agreed Spree! Next ones up…it’s ON!
I will be having a lot of long work days coming up so I added “find a healthy snack for work” on my to-do list. Then TheKitchn featured this recipe and I had my answer!
Do you have any suggested substitutions for cocoa nibs? I have doubts about finding any nearby.
So happy you found this recipe! I would leave them as is without or add chopped up chocolate (or even chocolate chips) – I heard from a friend that she did that to rave reviews!
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Just made a batch, and wow! Amazing!
Thinking, for some extra protein, I could roll them in chia seeds or crushed pepitas – would also help with the sticking together.
Glad you like them! A fantastic suggestion! Love the chia idea! I might try that next time too
I LOVE these, thank thank thanks! Made them a couple weeks ago, and want to make them again. Perfect brekkie for me. I am out of almonds now though, do you think grinding up a cup of walnuts would be alright? Different flavour of course, perhaps a bit ‘bitter’, as are walnuts, but it *should* work, right…? :/
Walnuts would be good though definitely heavier and a more pronounced flavor – if you have any seeds like sunflower a mix would help to curb the stringer flavor (unless of course you love walnuts like I do!) – let us know how you make out!
This peanut butter kick you’ve had is so divine! I own a food processor, but soaking and creaming the dates sounds wonderfully tempting. And like you, I have to add salt to something like this to balance the sweet. YUM!
I love creaming the dates as you say though at times I definitely miss the food processor
These little treats are my new fave!