These SunButter Balls are much better than Schweddy Balls 😉 and they are gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, nut and peanut-free, and soy-free! The credit for this recipe goes to my sister, Leslie, who lovingly adapted it so that my daughter could eat it too. She also used healthy ingredients to give these little snacks a nutritional punch!
This is a great recipe to make with kids. They love to make the balls and roll them in the cereal! Once coated, keep them (the balls, not the kids) in the refrigerator to have as a healthy snack, to pack in lunches, or for protein on the go. The cereal on the outside, in addition to providing a little crunch, prevents them from being sticky.
Leslie’s Sunbutter Balls
Makes 30-40 balls
Ingredients:
- 1/2 to 3/4 cups gluten-free crispy brown rice cereal, like Barbara’s or Nature’s Path (or other preferred cereal)
- 1 cup unsweetened SunButter (if using sweetened SunButter, you will need to cut back on the sweetener to your taste)
- 1/2 cup honey or other liquid sweetener
- 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
- 1/2 very finely shredded unsweetened coconut, like Let’s Do Organic coconut shreds, or process coconut flakes in a Cuisinart until finely chopped
- 1/2 cup Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup dried blueberries or Zante currants (you want dried fruit that is small – you could finely chop up other dried fruit if you can’t find either of these)
Directions:
Pulse cereal in food processor to turn into crumbs. Put in a medium size bowl and set aside.
In another bowl, stir together SunButter, honey, and ground flax seed to form a thick dough. Add the coconut, chocolate chips and blueberries and stir until well mixed. The dough should be thick but not too sticky to form into small balls. If it seems too wet or sticky, add more flax meal or coconut. If it is too dry, add more honey or SunButter.
Pinch off a bit of dough, about a tablespoon, and gently pat into a ball. Drop it into the bowl of cereal crumbs. Repeat with a few more balls, trying to keep them from touching. Gently toss the balls in the crumbs until they are well coated. Remove balls and set on plate or tray. Repeat until all the dough is used. Refrigerate balls until firm and serve.
Jessica says
Yummy! I’ll have to try this recipe with my kids! I’m sure they will love rolling them up in little balls. Thanks for sharing!
Barbara says
Jessica,
The sunbutter Balls sound really good! There is just one thing when I click on my post as instructed nothing happens.
Sooo…. Would you be so kind as to email me the recipe. I am eager to try them I have 5 Grandkids that just might love ’em!
Thanks,
Barbara
Alecia says
Dose anyone know of a good brand of sunbutter that is not shared on equipment with peanuts or treenuts? Twice I went to safeway and Raleys and all the sunbutter’s were made in a facility with peanut butter or tree nuts. My son is allergic to both peanuts and treenuts. I would love to try it with my daycare but i have one child severely allergic to peanut butter so a trace of it is just as bad. Thank you for the help. Merry Christmas!!!
Ellen says
Alecia–“Sunbutter” is a specific brand of sunflower butter, and it is peanut and nut free. You can read about their allergy policies at sunbutter.com. There are different varieties of “Sunbutter” brand sunflower spread. Some have sweeteners added, and some don’t. I don’t have any connection to the company, but just genuinely love the product. I have celiac disease and several food allergies, and it has been a godsend for me. I never thought I’d ever be able to eat nut butters of any sort again after my allergies developed, but I’ve never had a problem with Sunbutter. Other sunflower butters have made me react, causing throat swelling, but never this brand. My favorite is the “organic.” It’s unsweetened and absolutely delicious.
This recipe looks great–will have to try it!