Healthy Pecan Butter Plantain Energy Balls.
These pecan energy balls with ripe sweet plantains and oats are tasty (you will be tempted too finish it all, lol), easy to make and requires ONLY 3 ingredients! Did I mention that these pecan butter energy balls are gluten-free, vegan, paleo, whole30 and enjoyable. This isn’t the healthy snack you cannot enjoy, lol. That being said, say hello to my Pecan plantain energy balls!
These healthy pecan butter – plantain energy balls are perfect pre or post work-out snacks. You won’t be stretching but they can also make healthy appetizers, side dishes, and incredible desserts. Yes, desserts! Plus, these are equally kid-friendly, my children really really love these vegan snacks!! Can we just say this is an all-rounder snack for all year round?😂😊
Plantains are versatile and have several benefits to the body, rich in numerous minerals. While plantains look like bananas, they are not bananas because plantains require cooking, unlike bananas. On the other hand, green and yellow sweet plantains serve different purposes, and for today’s ripe plantain energy balls, we will be using ripe yellow sweet plantains.
3 (main) Ingredient Plantain Power Bites.
In reality, yes, that’s all you need, three ingredients – plantain, oats, and nut butter! And depending on your taste bud, and if the nut butter is plain or not. You can add some coconut sugar (see my video). Realistically three ingredients will get these healthy protein bites together! In other words, plantain + oatmeal + nut butter = the best energy bites.
Vegan Energy Balls.
These energy balls are vegan, gluten-free, paleo-friendly, low carb, sweet, savory, and insanely delicious. Relatively these healthy protein bites require only three main ingredients; you can literally make these babies with your… Click To Tweet
How to Make Pecan Butter and Plantain Energy Balls.
To make these plantain balls, be sure to have some nut butter on hand; luckily, I have pecan nut butter that my friends at Purely Pecans sent me. Then quick oats and one very ripe yellow sweet plantain. In the view of plantain, not been banana, I go ahead and bake the plantains to cook them and further intensify the flavors.
Step One (Prep the Ingredients):
Step 2: (Food Processor)
Making these healthy ripe plantain energy gets easier after baking because all you do is mash, and mix in the food processor. You start by processing the baked, soft sweet yellow plantain. Ripe plantain becomes softer after baking or frying. It can also harden if you allow them to cool way too long.
Should You Bake Pecan Plantain Energy Balls?
Do not skip the first baking step (which is baking the raw plantain before processing); plantains taste better cooked. I know the whole world is currently fascinated with “no-bake” energy balls. I am sorry to tell you that you need to bake these ripe plantain energy balls in other to get the best out of them. First of all, baking intensifies the flavors; and we do not mess around with flavor here!
Annnnd, if you are serving these as appetizers, side dishes, desserts or breakfast bites, then take a little extra step to bake these the second time, it is such an experience you need to go through to understand. So, you gotta make these!😋
Pack away in a tight container. Store on countertop or fridge.
If you are ready, let’s make this easy to make vegan healthy and nutritious balls.
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Ripe Plantain Energy Balls: Healthy Vegan Snack
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These ripe plantain energy balls are vegan, gluten-free, paleo-friendly, low carb, low sugar, sweet, savory, and insanely delicious. The best part is that these healthy protein bites require only three main ingredients – ripe (sweet yellow) plantain, oats, and nut butter; you can make these babies with your eyes closed.
These healthy vegan snacks are excellent pre and post work out snacks. You can have them on the go, and the kids love them! This is the snack you need for all year round. These healthy plantain balls are equally great appetizers, side dishes, and even dessert.
Ingredients
1 ripe plantain
1½ cups of quick oats
¼ cup of nut butter (I used pecan butter)
1 teaspoon olive oil or oil spray
A dash of salt
2 tablespoons of coconut sugar (if using a plain nut butter)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375.
- Wash plantain, then peel and cut into 7 – 10 pieces. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, sprinkle a little salt, and oil.
- Bake 15 minutes on each side or until it changes color; check out my process photo and video.
- Remove from oven and add to the food processor; process until mashed.
- Then add the oat, nut butter, and sugar (if using plain nut butter). Process to combine and become like dough. Check my photo and video.
- Rub a drop of olive oil on your palm before you start rolling/forming these energy balls to avoid them from sticking to your palms/gloves. Using a tablespoon measure, scoop some dough, place it on your hand and form, and be sure that you have gloves on. Repeat until you roll/form the entire dough. These are ready, second baking is optional
- Pack away in a tight container. Store on countertop or fridge.
Optional Step:
Place all the rolled dough on a clean parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 7 – 10 minutes in a 250 preheated oven. Flip in between baking for even cooking. These are ready, serve warm. Leftovers can last 4 – 5 days in the fridge.
Notes
Do not skip the first baking step; plantains taste better cooked. I know the whole world is currently fascinated with “no-bake” energy balls. I am sorry to tell you that you need to bake these ripe plantain energy balls in other to get the best out of them. First of all, baking intensifies the flavors.
The second baking is optional. Usually, I do it if I am using these energy balls as appetizers, desserts, or breakfast bites. That extra warmness is well worth it! Majority of the time I bake twice😂😂😂 I like these bites a little tan! That’s a personal preference.
You can skip the second baking, but be sure to refrigerate these protein bites, especially you had made plenty for a weekly snack.
You may need to add a little coconut sugar or sweetener if you are using a plain nut butter; I used pecan butter from Purely Pecans. I have made it with both “Gimme Sugar” Pecan Nut Butter and the plain. You may notice that I added sugar in the video because the nut butter was plain.
If you allow the plantain to cool for too long after baking, it will harden; process them as soon as it comes out of the oven. Nevertheless, it still tastes good!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizers/Snacks/Desserts
- Method: Baking/Blender
- Cuisine: Nigerian Inspired
Keywords: Energy meals, energy foods, energy snacks, energy bars, Energy balls, Energy bits, Energy bites, Healthy Side dish, Healthy vegan snack, Plantain balls, Banana balls, Paleo energy balls, Healthy oatmeal balls, gluten free energy balls, , Nut butter balls, Plantain power balls, Nut butter and banana bites, Banana oat energy bites, Pecan butter energy balls, Peanut butter protein energy bites, Pre, and post work out snacks, on the go snacks, kid-friendly, healthy protein bites, appetizers, balls, plantain puffs, sweet ripe plantains, yellow plantains, vegan recipe, baked snacks, plantain recipe, healthy ripe plantain recipe, healthy snacks
SHARE THIS POST, then go ahead and check out these other healthy yummy plantain recipes and more;
- Baked Ripe plantain and Guacamole
- Easy Plantain Brownie.
- The best Plantain and Eggs Frittata.
- Plantain stuffing Muffins.
- Healthy Whole wheat Banana Bread.
- Vegan Almond Cacao Cookies.
- Zucchini and Cashew Nut Bites.
- Easy Granola Bites.
- Mango Bell Pepper Stir fry.
As well as these healthy breakfast recipes such as
Finally, let’s connect on social media, am on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. If you like video recipes, then be sure to head over to my YouTube Channel. Share this recipe post, and SAVE/PIN THIS IMAGE ON PINTEREST! ⤵️
THANKS FOR STOPPING BY! Stay well, safe and keep cooking!
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I made these again today and they are soooo yummy! Thank you Kechi for the recipe.
★★★★★
Thank you so much for your feedback, Cindy! Glad you made this recipe, and you loved it! Yippee 🥳
Another triumph Nkechi. These will be a family favourite for sure.
★★★★★
Glad you like this yummy balls, Michala! Woot woot!
I’m a big fan of ripe plantains, whether fried or roasted. But I’ve never heard of these magnificent plantain energy balls. They sound so yummy and I’m making some next time I get plantains. Thanks for sharing!
★★★★★
OMG, yes, you need to make it, Fred! Plus it is super duper easy.
I truly love your creativity and passion for healthy eating. I would have never thought in a million years that this can be done with plantains 👌. Following your blog has turned my meals from boring to blissful.Keep educating us, definitely here for more.
Thank you so much, girl! This will make my day, and month , and year!🙌🏾 Glad you find my blog useful; I really appreciate that!
I am sure you will enjoy this recipe.
Kechi,
This looks delicious!!! And it is way healthier than anything I would ordinarily make. Can’t wait to try it!
★★★★★
Yay!!! Glad you will be making this, Jesse. Let me know if you like it.
I love fried plantains but never imagined making it this way. This is such a delicious creative recipe and with a little chocolate, yum! I also love that you provided the nutritional information. Bravo and thank you Kechi!!
Hahaha, I know right? 😂😂😂
I hope you can try it this way, Nabi.😊
Do you think these will be able to be frozen if someone wanted to make a huge batch of em?