The only secret to food combination is a balance of protein, carbs & fat – they all play a key role in our health.
-Jorge Cruise
While I am not going to go on a tangent about my recent diet change…I will just put a quick plug in for anyone that has ever had a negative relationship with food, macrobiotic diets are life changing.
Over the past month I have tracked my macros in an attempt to make sure that I am eating the right amount of protein, fats and carbs a day to maintain my current weight. I am not trying to lose or gain weight/muscle, just eat better and MAN did I not realize how badly I was looking at food.
One of the biggest changes to my everyday diet was my unhealthy amount of peanut butter intake. I literally could eat peanut butter off a spoon for every meal if someone let me, but I never truly looked at the amount of fat true peanut butter has.
Thank goodness for friends with degrees in health and fitness (I’m looking at you Sarah) that told me about PB2! It is a game changer people! It is half the 1/4 the calories, fat and carbs of regular peanut butter but still has a good amount of protein.
Because of this new found love & my other love for re-inventing my favorite late night treats, I decided to make a “healthy” version of a Buckeye! The Protein Buckeyes I created are not only good for you, but they provide a marco-friendly balance that will allow you to enjoy 1 (or 5) without the guilt!
How to make these simple high Protein Buckeyes:
Begin by measuring out 1/4 cup PB2 peanut butter powder.
SIDE NOTE: Can I just say again how much I LOVE THIS STUFF?!? Seriously, it tastes just as delicious as regular peanut butter! (PRO TIP: Add equal amounts water to powder to make an even creamier peanut butter!)
Okay, back to the recipe…
Mix 4 tbsp water with the powder to create a creamy peanut butter.
Next, add 1/2 scoop of your protein powder. (This is my favorite brand. Both the chocolate & vanilla taste delicious & offer 30g of protein per scoop which helps when you don’t eat a lot of animal protein!)
Mix the peanut butter and protein together until a thick peanut butter mixture forms. You want this to be thick so that you can mold it into protein balls so don’t add any additional water.
Depending on how sturdy your peanut butter mixture is: 1) either place your bowl in the fridge for a few minutes to stiffen or 2) you can begin making your protein buckeyes.
I am all about small batches of my favorite foods or else I will cave and eat them all in one sitting so if you want to make a large batch just double the recipe!
When your protein balls are formed, place them into the freezer for a few minutes to firm up. While this is taking place it is time to melt your chocolate. You can either melt in the microwave or using a double boiler, whatever your preference.
Using a toothpick, dip each ball into your melted chocolate then place onto wax/parchment paper to dry.
When all protein buckeyes are complete, place back into refrigerator to set.
When you are ready to eat, just pop your Protein Buckeyes out of the fridge & enjoy!
They taste to me like a fusion of soft caramels & peanut butter cups. The protein balls are soft and chewy, while the chocolate coating surrounding them will trick your mind into thinking they are bad for you.
What I love most about these Protein Buckeyes is that I can eat them without the guilt. They are less than 1/3 calories, fat and carbs of ONE Reese’s peanut butter cup! These macro-friendly sweet treats are the perfect snack that you will fall in love with immediately!
ENJOY!
- 1/2 scoop protein (vanilla) I use Elite Series Vanilla Cream
- 1/4 cup PB2-Peanut Butter
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
- 4 tbsp water
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First, make your peanut butter. To do this add 4 tbsp water to the PB2 and stir until becomes creamy.
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Next add 1/2 scoop of vanilla protein into bowl.
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Mix everything until thick "peanut butter" substance forms.
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If your mixture is thick you can begin forming it into 10 small balls. But if it is "stickier" place it into the refrigerator for a few minutes to cool before forming them.
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When protein balls are formed, place onto parchment/wax paper and place in freezer for 5-10 minutes.
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While balls are resting in freezer, heat your chocolate in a microwave safe bowl until completely melted.
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Using a toothpick, dip each ball into the chocolate and coat the bottom. Place the newly dipped protein ball back onto the wax paper.
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When all buckeyes are coated, place back into either refrigerator/freezer to set chocolate.
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Once the "buckeyes" are set, pop them off the wax paper & enjoy!
Each ball is 35 calories. 3g carbs. 2g fat. 3g protein.
Wasted so much pbfit and protein powder on these. No matter how much of what ingredient I tried, it never got to the right consistency and never became solid enough to actually eat. Also needs clarification on how much protein powder to use as half a scoop can mean completely different things for each protein company. Confused how a simple 3 ingredient recipe can be so complicated.
Perfect protein snack especially when you have a sweet tooth!