Description

These Cottage Cheese Banana Bread Energy Balls combine the creamy texture of cottage cheese with ripe bananas, oats, and almond flour to create a nutritious and delicious snack. Enhanced with warming cinnamon, sweet honey or maple syrup, and optional nuts and chocolate chips, these no-bake energy balls are perfect for a quick breakfast, post-workout fuel, or an anytime treat that tastes like banana bread in bite-sized form.

Ingredients

Scale

Wet Ingredients

1 cup cottage cheese
2 ripe bananas (About 240g)
1/4 cup honey or maple syrup (60ml)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

1 cup rolled oats (90g)
1/2 cup almond flour (50g)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt

Optional Add-ins

1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions

Mash Bananas: In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas using a fork or potato masher until smooth, creating a soft base for the mixture.
Combine Wet Ingredients: Add the cottage cheese, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas and mix well until fully combined, ensuring a creamy mixture.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the rolled oats, almond flour, cinnamon, and salt. Stir these dry ingredients thoroughly to distribute the spices evenly.
Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined to maintain a tender texture.
Add Optional Ingredients: If using, fold in the chopped nuts and mini chocolate chips carefully into the mixture for added texture and flavor.
Form Balls: Using your hands, scoop about a tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into a firm ball. Repeat this process with the rest of the mixture.
Arrange: Place the formed energy balls on a baking sheet or plate lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Chill: Refrigerate the energy balls for at least 30 minutes to allow them to firm up and enhance their flavors before serving.

Notes

Use very ripe bananas for the sweetest flavor and easiest mashing.
For a nut-free version, omit nuts and consider adding seeds like chia or flax for texture.
Store energy balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
These energy balls can be frozen for up to 1 month; thaw in the refrigerator before eating.
Customize sweetness by adjusting honey or maple syrup to taste.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes (no-bake)
Category: Snack
Method: No-Bake
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 energy ball (approx. 20g)
Calories: 90 kcal
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 50mg
Fat: 4.5g
Saturated Fat: 0.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 11g
Fiber: 1.5g
Protein: 3g
Cholesterol: 5mg

Keywords: cottage cheese energy balls, banana bread bites, no-bake snacks, healthy energy balls, protein snacks, vegetarian snacks