Gluten-free pb&j energy balls are one of my favorite on-the-go homestead snacks! They are super simple to make and they require just a few wholesome ingredients that are nutritious and energy-rich. I love the fact that these energy balls are sweetened with an all-natural sweetener and that they use homemade jelly, instead of the sugar-loaded store bought kinds. These peanut butter and jelly energy balls will bring back memories of delicious peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and I’m sure you are going to love them! They won’t last long on your homestead…. and modern pioneers of all ages will be sure to enjoy popping these sweet snack bites any time of the day!
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Modern Pioneer Recipe
These healthy pb&j energy balls are a modern pioneer recipe! The early pioneers didn’t make foods like these no-bake energy balls…. but these energy balls definitely qualify as a modern pioneer recipe since they use simple and wholesome ingredients!
I find snack time to be one of the hardest times to eat healthy. I just want a sweet and delicious pick-me-up to get me through the rest of the day until dinner time. Yeah, fruit can be good, granola bars are okay (these nut-free trail bars to die for!), but sometimes you just need something substantial and energy-rich. That’s where these energy balls come into play!
Whipping up a batch of these snack balls is super easy since they are no-bake and they use ingredients I usually already have stocked in the homestead pantry. And…. they use a super simple homemade jelly that can be made right on the spot and used immediately!
I love peanut butter and jelly. I don’t have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches very often though. For one, I mostly use grain-free breads that I make myself, which I don’t always have on hand. For two, I don’t like using store-bought jellies because of the their sugar content, so when I want jelly I have to make it myself. That turns a fairly simple lunch option into a lot of work! So, I have found other ways to get my peanut butter and jelly fix in.
These peanut butter and jelly balls help me get my pb&j fix in even when I can’t make a pb&j sandwich! They are also allergy-friendly since these snack balls are…
- gluten-free
- dairy-free
- egg free
- refined sugar free
- soy free
- corn free
- tree nut free
For more peanut butter and jelly recipe ideas, check out my Pinterest board called PB&J!
Where Does the Energy Come From?
If these peanut butter and jelly balls are called ‘energy’ balls, then were does the energy come from? Our body derives energy from our food in the form of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. When fats and carbohydrates are plentiful, the body tends to use more of those for energy and saves the protein for hormone maintenance and muscle building. And, since the body stores fat better than carbohydrates, it tends to use carbohydrates for energy before using fat.
In these energy balls, the energy comes from the peanut butter, shredded coconut, and whole oats. Here is the energy break-down for each of those ingredients:
- peanut butter (2 T.)– total fat: 16 g; total carbs: 6 g; protein: 8 g
- whole oats (1/2 c.)– total fat: 2.5 g; total carbs: 27 g; protein: 6 g
- shredded coconut (1 c.)- total fat: 27 g; total carbs: 12 g; protein: 2.7 g
As you can see, these energy balls provide ample amounts of both fats and carbs for the body to use as energy. They also supply a decent amount of plant-based protein that can provide long-term energy once your body burns up the fats and carbs. Keep in mind that the body will burn the carbs before burning the fat. If the fat is not burned, it will be stored by the body.
I like have these energy balls on hand for when I am busy or super active. They are perfect for taking on hikes, packing on camping trips, fueling a day on the hunt, enjoying after a day at the lake, or providing energy for any other outdoor activities you participate in!
Looking for other simple and healthy snack ideas? Make sure you check out these no-bake peanut butter protein bars or these gluten-free trail mix granola bars!
About the Ingredients
Not only did I want these peanut butter and jelly balls to be full of energy, but I also wanted them to contain nutritious, simple ingredients. Just as a modern pioneer recipe should be!
I wanted them to be gluten-free, tree nut free, dairy-free, and naturally sweetened. Here are the ingredients that I came up with to make these energy balls nutritious:
- organic peanut butter- Make sure you choose a brand that does not contain added sugar. I use salted, creamy peanut butter that has to be stirred.
- raw honey- Using raw honey in this recipe keeps the nutrients in the honey intact and provides a natural, healthy sweetener.
- ground flax seeds– Ground flax seeds provide a healthy source of fiber and help these energy balls stay together and not be crumbly.
- gluten free oats- Make sure you use certified gluten-free oats to ensure that these energy balls remain gluten-free. As a bonus, oats are naturally anti-inflammatory!
- gluten free shredded coconut– Coconut is a good source of potassium and fiber.
- homemade jelly- I make my own jelly that is sugarless, but still looks and tastes just like traditional jelly!
These simple ingredients help keep these energy balls both nutritious and delicious. The peanut butter and jelly flavor add the perfect natural sweetness to keep you coming back for more, without the guilt of indulging in a sugary-sweet snack!
For another delicious peanut butter and jelly snack, check out these gluten-free peanut butter and jelly bars!
Energy Ball Recipe Tips
Peanut butter and jelly energy balls are a super simple recipe to make, there is not much that could go wrong. However, I still like to provide recipe tips that help ensure your experience with making these energy balls goes smoothly and successfully!
- Crunchy or Smooth?– I use smooth peanut butter in my balls, but using crunchy peanut butter instead would not make too much of a difference since it all goes in the food processor anyways!
- Do I have to use a food processor?- I have only made energy balls in a food processor and have not tried mixing by hand. One difference that I could foresee would be the oats not being ground up.
- Can I use a different sweetener?- I have made other energy ball recipes using maple syrup, so that would be the only other sweetener substitute that I could suggest. Granulated sugars would decrease the moisture content in the balls and make then drier.
- Large Flake or Fine Coconut?– I prefer the finely shredded coconut flakes in my energy balls, but you could try the large flakes. The balls may not hold together as nicely though if the flakes are too large and don’t get chopped up enough by the food processor.
- Can I use traditional jelly?– If you have a favorite store-bought jelly (or another homemade jelly recipe that you make) you can certainly use alternative jellies in these energy balls! Just substitute in a 1/2 cup of jelly for the blueberries and tapioca flour that are used to make the homemade jelly in this recipe.
- Whole Oats or Quick Oats?– I like to use whole oats when making energy balls, but quick oats would work too. They may be a better option if you are not using a food processor to mix your ingredients.
- Fresh or Frozen Blueberries?– You can use either fresh blueberries or frozen blueberries for making the homemade jelly.
Let’s Get Snacking!
These gluten-free pb&j energy balls are perfect for an active modern pioneer lifestyle on the homestead! I love that they are the perfect gluten-free, dairy-free, naturally sweetened snack for busy days. They are also super quick to make and can be frozen for later. Enjoy making this nutritious, energy packed snack!
Gluten-free PB&J Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup organic peanut butter
- 1/4 cup raw honey
- 2 T. ground flax seeds
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups Bob's Red Mill gluten-free oats
- 1/2 cup organic shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 2 T. Bob's Red Mill tapioca flour
Instructions
- Mash the blueberries in a small saucepan over medium heat. Continue to mash until they are like jelly and the mixture is warm (you should see steam rising from the blueberries).
- Remove the blueberries from the heat and stir in the tapioca flour. The mixture should become thick. Pour the jelly into a food processor.
- Add the rest of the ingredients to the food processor. Pulse thoroughly until the mixture is completely combined. You may need to stop and scrape the sides of the food processor to get everything combined.
- Transfer the mixture over to a large bowl. This step is optional but I find that it is easier to make the balls when the mixture is out of the food processor.
- Using a tablespoon, scoop out portions of the mixture and roll into balls. I got 24 balls out of my mixture.
- These energy balls should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge since they contain jelly. These balls freeze well too!
- Note: If you are using super creamy peanut butter that hasn't been refridgerated you will want to chill the energy ball mixture for 10-15 minutes in the fridge before making the balls. It helps the mixture be less sticky and allows the balls to hold their shape.
Where to Find the Ingredients
- Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free oats
- Anthony’s organic shredded coconut
- Simply Organic vanilla extract
- Bob’s Red Mill tapioca flour
- Bob’s Red Mill ground flax seeds
- Organic sugar-free peanut butter
- Supplies: Cusinart food processor
Gluten-free pb&j energy balls provide lots of energy to keep you going throughout the day on the homestead! They are also a good source of plant-based protein, packed with energy-rich & nutritious ingredients, contain no refined sugars, and are the perfect anti-inflammatory snack. Not to mention that they are naturally sweetened with a nutritious, all natural sweetener….. raw honey! If you are peanut butter lovin’ modern pioneer (like myself), then these sweet balls will be just the snack you need to keep you going on any day!
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by Alexa
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