Last week I had the pleasure of hosting a group of Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts at my house to earn a badge for learning to make nutritious snacks. The most popular snack, with both girls and parents, by far was the Crispy Almond-Butter Power Balls. They're packed with healthy ingredients and are a terrific energy snack. They're loaded with protein, calcium, antioxidants, whole grains, omega 3s and taste great! They're easy for kids to make and can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.
Crispy Almond
Butter Power Balls
(adapted from fixmeasnack.com)
Time: Approx. 10 minutes
Yield: Approx. 20
¾ cup powdered
milk
1 cup crispy
brown rice cereal (Envirokidz Organic Koala Crisp is what we like)
2 tablespoons
wheat germ
2 tablespoons
ground flaxseed
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ cup mini
dark chocolate chips
½ cup smooth almond
butter
¼ cup honey
1 teaspoon
vanilla extract
1 tablespoon
organic coconut oil
Optional coating:
2 TB cocoa powder
2 TB confectioner's sugar
Step 1: In a medium bowl, stir dry ingredients
together (powdered milk, cereal, wheat germ, flaxseed, salt, mini chips).
Step 2: In a small microwave-safe bowl, stir wet ingredients
together (almond butter, honey, vanilla coconut oil). Microwave for 20 seconds to help soften the ingredients and make them pourable.
Step 3: Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and stir
until well mixed.
Step 4: Form into 1” balls by compacting in your hand, then rolling between two hands to make a smooth ball.
Step 5: (Optional) Combine cocoa powder and powdered sugar in a small bowl. Roll almond balls in mixture to coat.
Ready to eat right away. Refrigerate to store, or freeze for up to 3 months.
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Here are some of the nutrition facts that the girls and I uncovered about some of the ingredients in the Crispy Almond-Butter Power Balls.
Brown rice cereal: A healthy whole-grain with selenium,
anti-oxidants, fiber, and manganese (which helps your body synthesize fat).
Wheat germ: a grain fortified with vitamin E, folate
(folic acid), phosphorus, thiamine, zinc, magnesium and essential omega-3 fatty
acids and fatty alcohols. An excellent
source of fiber.
Flaxseed: Among all 129 World's Healthiest Foods,
flaxseeds comes out number one as a source of omega-3s. Has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
benefits. May prevent some cancers.
Dark chocolate/Cocoa Powder: Dark chocolate and cocoa are rich in
cell-protecting antioxidants -- natural compounds found in fruits, vegetables,
grains and nuts. Read what scientists are studying regarding antioxidants and
cardiovascular disease, premature aging and cancer.
Almond butter: a source of many nutrients which help in
development of the brain. High in
protein and Vitamin E.
Honey: Honey
contains flavonoids, antioxidants which help reduce the risk of some cancers
and heart disease.
Coconut Oil:
Contains lauric
acid which fights off microbes and infectious bacteria. Contains healthy fats that the body converts
to energy rather than storing as fat.