Ingredients
2 tbsp (32g) homemade creamy peanut butter (see Notes!)
½ cup + 1 ½ tbsp (143mL) water
½ – ¾ tsp salt (see Notes!)
½ tsp liquid stevia (see Notes!)
½ cup (52g) powdered peanut butter (measured like this – and see Notes!)
½ cup (38g) soy protein powder (measured like this – and see Notes!)
Directions
1
In a medium bowl, stir together the creamy peanut butter, water, salt, and stevia until the peanut butter has fully “dissolved” and no large lumps remain. Evenly sprinkle the powdered peanut butter and soy protein powder on top. Stir until fully incorporated. Shape the mixture into 28 spheres (approximately 1" in diameter), and place in an airtight container. Refrigerate until ready to eat.
2
IMPORTANT MEASURING NOTE – READ BEFORE BEGINNING: It’s extremely important to measure the powdered peanut butter and protein powder correctly, using this method or a kitchen scale. (← That’s the one I own!) Too much of either one will make the mixture dry and crumbly, and you won’t be able to roll it into balls. If this happens to you, add more water (¼ to ½ teaspoon at a time) until you’re able to shape the mixture into spheres.
3
If you’re strongly against using stevia, you can substitute ¼ cup (60mL) of pure maple syrup, agave, or honey in place of the liquid stevia AND reduce the water by ¼ cup (to ¼ cup + 1 ½ tablespoons instead) to compensate for the added liquid volume. Alternatively, substitute ¼ cup (48g) of coconut sugar, light brown sugar, or granulated sugar in place of the liquid stevia AND reduce the water by 2 tablespoons (to 6 tablespoons + 1 ½ tablespoons instead) to compensate for the added volume. Finally, for a different no-calorie sweetener option, substitute ¼ cup of granulated sucralose in place of the liquid stevia (and keep the water volume the same).
4
I don’t recommend making your own peanut flour or substituting almond flour. They don’t have the same powdery texture, so the mixture won’t have the same consistency.
5
SHAPING NOTE: The mixture can occasionally stick to your palms while rolling it into balls. If this happens to you, occasionally wipe them clean with a damp paper towel.
Notes
IMPORTANT PROTEIN POWDER NOTES – READ BEFORE BEGINNING: This recipe was specifically designed for soy protein powder (also called soy protein isolate). I buy it here. Many protein powders behave differently, especially when it comes to absorbing moisture. If you substitute a different plant-based protein powder, you may need to add more protein powder if the mixture is too wet -OR- more water if the mixture is too dry.
Do NOT substitute whey-based protein powder. The mixture will be too sticky to roll into balls and won’t set properly.