Ok story time. When I was younger, there was this food store by us called Zagara’s. I always thought the name was pretty fun to say.
They tasted like a Reese’s peanut butter cups in ball form with crunchy rice crispies spread throughout. Ugh, they were so good. At some point when I was in high school, Zagara’s closed and those crunchy peanut butter balls of delight were no more.
I trecked on. I went back to my peanut butter cup ways and went on with my life. But, I never forgot. They were filed in the back of my brain as a love lost. Whenever I saw something that resembled my beloved peanut butter ball, my heart would fill with hope. Would they have that same special crunch?
They never did.
And then puffed quinoa came into my life. In some breath of fate, I knew what needed to be done. So, I crafted these delicious Peanut Butter Crunch Balls in loving memory of Zagara’s. They taste pretty much the identical. And, in the last week since first crafting this recipe, I have made them three times.
Ingredients for crispy peanut butter balls:
- natural peanut butter
- agave nectar (honey or maple syrup works)
- vanilla
- almond flour
- sea salt
- puffed quinoa
How to make no bake peanut butter balls:
Whisk together the natural peanut butter, agave nectar (honey or maple syrup works), and vanilla. Add the almond flour and sea salt. Whisk it or fold it together until completely combined.
Fold in the puffed quinoa.
Use a cookie scooper to scoop the balls and keep them uniform. Then, roll them between your hands to make them smooth.
If desired, melt chocolate chips and dip each ball into the chips. Sprinkle each ball with pink Himalayan sea salt. Place them on a cutting board or baking sheet lined with piece of parchment paper and store in the fridge for the chocolate to harden.
Peanut Butter Crunch Balls
Crunchy No Bake Peanut Butter Balls made with puffed quinoa are the perfect sweet treat! They’re the perfect vegan + gluten free snack!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup natural peanut butter
- 1/3 cup agave nectar
- splash vanilla extract
- 1 cup blanched almond flour
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 cup puffed quinoa
Instructions
- Whisk together the natural peanut butter, agave nectar (honey or maple syrup works), and vanilla.
- Add the almond flour and salt.
- Whisk it or fold it together until completely combined.
- Fold in the puffed quinoa.
- Use a cookie scooper to scoop the balls and keep them uniform.
- Then, roll them between your hands to make them smooth.
- If desired, melt chocolate chips and dip each ball into the chips.
- Sprinkle each ball with salt.
- Place them on a cutting board or baking sheet lined with piece of parchment paper and store in the fridge for the chocolate to harden.
Nutrition Info:
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 117
- Sugar: 8.7g
- Sodium: 42mg
- Fat: 6.5g
- Saturated Fat: 1.1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11.4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Enjoy!! xo
Rachel says
I just made these Tony get with sunbutter, Holy cow I’m dead! These are so yummy. Putting these babies on repeat!
Rachel says
*tonight;)
Lindsay says
YAYY!! I’m so glad you liked them – they’re seriously one of my faves!! xo
Lunatinkerbell says
Sooo delicious! Used grounded almonds instead of almond flour and honey instead of agave nectar. So it’ s not vegan anymore, but just as *yummy* greetings from germany 🤗
Lindsay says
Hi!! Ah they sound delicious!! xo
Helen says
We love these! Just wondering…do you think they will freeze well?
Lindsay says
Yay! I’m so happy you like them!! I believe they will, but I’ve never tried it, so you’ll have to report back and let me know how it went! xo
Kelley says
Is this the zagara’s in marlton, NJ? If so, is it still there? I remember these “buckeyes” being my favorite thing there! Even almost 30 years ago, i think they were at Least like 89 cents a piece! I just made some puffed quinoa, but it would be so much easier to buy, plus it is more puffed. My next request for costco:)
Lindsay says
Yes!! The one in Marlton!! I remember it shutting down when I was in high school but people have mentioned there are still Zagara’s in some states around the country. Buying puffed quinoa is the best! I haven’t been able to successfully puff it myself yet 🙈
Leslie says
I purchased toasted quinoa from Whole Foods. They are great on their own! So happy I made these… I needed to add a little melted refined coconut oil to get the right consistency. I also added a little sprinkling of shredded coconut on the melted chocolate. they are DELISH! Thanks for another great healthy recipe.
Lindsay says
Yay! I’m so happy you enjoyed them!! xo