1 C peanut butter  •  3 T honey  •  3/4 C instant oats
3/4 C rice crisps  •  1 T flax seed meal •  1/4 C peanuts, crushed
1/3 C coconut flakes, sweetened

Peanut butter is one of my personal favorites. I eat it off a spoon, on waffles, ice cream … in many dishes sweet or savory, it doesn’t matter – my mouth waters for peanut butter. There seems to be something comforting about eating peanut butter, I imagine it’s a lot like how people feel about chocolate. Hungry for a quick snack? Peanut butter. Long morning cleaning up potty messes? Peanut butter. That time of the month? (sorry guys) Peanut butter. So now that you know I adore peanut butter let me share with you a “healthier” version of the crispity, crunchity, oh so ooey and gooey peanut butter ball. Great for any quick snack, long morning pick me up, late night freezer raid or just dessert.

Prep: Line a baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.

Directions: Prepare the crushed peanuts and the coconut flakes in separate small bowls and set aside. In a large sauce pan heat the peanut butter and honey on a medium heat until melted, stir to combine. Remove from heat and add in the oats, rice crisps and flax seed meal, continue to stir in until all ingredients are combined and stick together forming a ball. Using a tablespoon to keep the size of the balls even, scoop out mixture and roll by hand. Roll peanut butter balls in the coconut flakes or crushed peanuts, alternating one after the other and place on parchment paper to cool. Serve once cooled, refrigerate for later or freeze for up to three months.

Notes: You can really make these in several different ways and substitute many of the ingredients. Instead of peanut butter you can use almond butter and instead of honey you can use agave nectar. You can also roll the balls in mini chocolate chips, cocoa powder, powder sugar and the list goes on, get creative and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts: None

Makes about 18 1″ balls

… many happy birthday wishes to my dad, my brother and my brother-in-law, love you guys!