These 4-ingredient peanut butter chocolate energy balls with prunes make a delicious and healthy treat or snack everyone will love. Easy to make and ready in as little as 10 minutes!
I am always looking for new ideas for healthy after-school snacks and here is one that got two thumbs up from my children today - peanut butter chocolate energy balls with prunes.
Making healthy lunchbox and after-school snacks can be tricky as you are competing with a myriad of commercially produced sugary treats that most children love. And you can't really blame them! All you can do is keep trying and celebrate (occasional) successes.
These chocolate energy balls were gone within minutes of my children coming through the door. The kids had no idea they had just devoured a good helping of prunes, which usually is not the most popular snack in my house.
Chocolate energy balls ingredients
It's hard to believe that using only 4 ingredients (one of which is water!) can create such a rich and delicious treat! Everyone knows how well chocolate and peanut butter go together but adding prunes into the mix produces even better results as it gives these energy balls a hint of fruity tang.
Top tip
If your chocolate energy balls mixture is not as thick and sticky as it should be (perhaps your peanut butter was a little runny) add a little almond flour.
Step-by-step recipe instructions
1.Start by combining the chopped prunes with the water. Stir and squash the prunes with the back of a spoon to soften them a little, then set aside for 5 minutes.
2. Blitz the chocolate in a blender until crumbly, but not powdery.
3. Combine with the prune mixture and 6 tablespoons of peanut butter.
4. Blend until the mixture is sticky and all the ingredients have been incorporated.
5. Form small, bite size balls. Roll in seeds, chocolate flakes (made by coarsely grating chocolate) or desiccated coconut (coating is optional). Chill for 30 minutes before serving (if possible) and enjoy!
Top tips
- Use good quality dark chocolate (approx. 70% cocoa solids).
- It is important to soak the chopped prunes in a bit of water for a few minutes before making the balls. Squash them with the back of a spoon until they are soft and start forming a paste, then combine with the rest of the ingredients.
- I recommend using thick peanut butter so if yours is a bit runny you may want to add a little almond flour to thicken the mixture and make sure it has the right consistency. I used quite dense peanut butter so I didn't need to.
- Use either smooth or crunchy peanut butter (I used crunchy).
- Make it vegan by using vegan dark chocolate.
- Chill for 30 minutes before serving, if possible. Alternatively place in the freezer for 15 minutes then serve. Keep covered, refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
Coating ingredients ideas
These prune chocolate energy balls can be enjoyed as they are but you can also coat them in:
- cocoa/cacao powder
- desiccated coconut
- grated chocolate flakes (white or dark)
- sesame seeds
- crushed roasted peanuts/almonds
Substitutions
- Use either smooth or crunchy peanut butter (but make sure it's thick, not runny).
- For an adult-only treat you could soak the prunes in brandy or vodka instead of the water.
You might also like
- Quinoa Mocha Energy Balls
- Cheesecake Balls 2 Ways (Strawberry, Mango)
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Truffles with Ginger
Check out also this collection of 27 everyday healthy cacao recipes.
Keep in touch!
If you make these prune energy balls I'd love to know how they turn out for you. Let me know in the comments below, thanks!
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Recipe
Peanut Butter Chocolate Prune Energy Balls
Equipment
- Food processor
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons peanut butter see *Notes below
- 1.76 ounces (50 g) dark chocolate chopped, or ¼c chocolate chips, plus 10 g more for making chocolate flakes (optional)
- 5.29 ounces (150 g) prunes pitted, finely chopped
- 1-2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- In a bowl combine the chopped prunes with the water, stir and squash with the back of a spoon. Set aside for 5 minute, then stir and squash again until the mixture starts coming together and becoming pasty.
- In the meantime whizz the chocolate in a blender until crumbly (not completely powdery).
- Combine the prune mixture with the chocolate and peanut butter and blend until the mixture becomes sticky and all the ingredients have been incorporated.
- Form small balls and enjoy as they are or roll in sesame seeds, desiccated coconut or chocolate flakes (made by coarsely grating chocolate). It's a good idea to chill the balls for 30 minutes before serving, but it's not absolutely necessary.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Notes
- Use good quality dark chocolate (approx. 70% cocoa solids).
- It is important to soak the chopped prunes in a bit of water for a few minutes before making the balls. Squash them with the back of a spoon until they are soft and start forming a paste, then combine with the rest of the ingredients.
- *If your peanut butter is quite runny you may want to add a little almond flour to thicken the mixture and make sure it has the right consistency. I used quite dense peanut butter so I didn't need to.
- Use either smooth or crunchy peanut butter (I used crunchy).
- For an adult-only treat you could soak the prunes in brandy or vodka instead of the water.
- Make it vegan by using vegan dark chocolate.
- These energy balls can be served as they are or you can coat them in seeds, desiccated coconut or white or dark chocolate flakes (i.e. coarsely grated chocolate).
- Chill for 30 minutes before serving, if possible. Alternatively place in the freezer for 15 minutes then serve. Keep covered, refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is automatically generated and should be considered as an estimate.
**A note about baking: If using a fan-assisted oven refer to your appliance's instructions and adjust the temperature accordingly.
Debi says
Question: is the dark chocolate sweetened or not?
Monika says
Yes, it's ordinary dark chocolate.
Pam h says
I have made energy balls before.
I usally keep them in freezer so I can take a few with me.
Do u think these would freeze ok with prune.
Thanks
Monika says
I haven't tried freezing them but I don't see why they shouldn't freeze well especially as you usually freeze energy balls. These are just like any other energy balls. Hope you like the recipe:)
Emma @ FreeFromFarmhouse says
Energy balls are such a great idea but I'm sure I'd just want to eat all the mixture out the bowl! #freefromfridays
Monika says
I felt a little tempted to do that too, thank goodness I had to take photos of these balls:)
April J Harris says
I love prunes and chocolate together, so I love the healthy way you have used this flavour combo in these energy balls! Pinning. I'd love it if you will share them with my Hearth and Soul Link Party live on my blog now. I know they would be very popular! Hope to 'see' you there. Visiting via Create with Joy. It's lovely to 'meet' you! Following on Twitter.
Monika says
Thank you! I'll go over and check out your link party now:)
JBS says
Yummy
Monika says
thanks:)
Mandy Mazliah says
These look great Monika. I make several similar energy balls but your recipe is quite different to mine so I must give this a try. I particularly like the idea of putting tahini in.
Monika says
Thank you Mandy. These little balls were such a hit with my children I am making more tomorrow:)
Eb Gargano / easypeasyfoodie.com says
Yum! These look so lovely and I am sure my kids would love these too...if I could control myself enough to leave the some!! 😀 Thanks for linking it up to #CookBlogShare! Eb x
Monika says
Thanks Eb! They were quite moreish, I have to admit...
turkswhoeat says
Yum! I make a similar thing but using dates, although I've never thought to add tahini!
Monika says
Dates would be delicious too! There are so many possibilities with this type of snack:)
Rebecca Smith says
I love these types of snack, I've a few recipes on my blog too! These are my go-to energy snack for the 3pm dip in sugar and energy levels...and the fact they're so simple to knock up makes them all the more delcious! #FreeFromFridays
Monika says
I love snack like this too but what's even better is that my kids also love them - they are our 3 o'clock 'fix':)
Corina says
I'm always on the lookout for healthy after school snacks and these sound delicious!
Monika says
Thanks Corina! These really were very good, making them again tomorrow:)