Yogurt Balls-with a twist

 

Hey, it’s Jackie!

Figured I would start the blog off right by sharing a twist on one of my all time favorite recipes. Ask any of my friends, yogurt balls are a permanent staple in my diet. They make a great snack for anytime of the day. The oats and whole wheat flour make these a great whole grain option at breakfast, on the go, or as a compliment to a meal. Honey and chocolate chips add some quick sugar to not only satisfy the sweet tooth craving but add sources of quick energy for a pre-workout snack. Yogurt adds a significant source of protein (24 grams per cup of plain greek yogurt!) that not only helps keep you satisfied, but can also add an important element of recovery nutrition for a post-workout bite.

These can be made with any sources of oil (I’ve used coconut oil, canola oil, vegetable oil…all work wonderfully) but today I experimented with pureed avocado. Avocado is a great fat substitute because it is loaded with monounsaturated fatty acids, the good fats, and still adds the moisture and rich flavor provided by traditional fat sources. When you completely puree the avocado, it will be impossible to notice it in the final product. The avocado I used wasn’t very ripe, so it made the pureeing step a little more difficult. Make sure it looks smoother than what I used if you are feeding these to especially picky eaters!

Yogurt balls are best stored in the freezer to preserve their freshness. Because they freeze so well I usually double or triple the original recipe so they last me a few weeks. I’ll take two out at a time and warm them in the microwave for 30 seconds to make them ready to eat right away. If I’m packing them for future reference, they’ll thaw to perfect eating temperature after an hour or two and last for a couple of days before going bad (without being frozen/refrigerated).

Take a look at the video below to see how these gems are made! The recipe can also be found below. Hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Yogurt Balls

1 1/2 cups plain yogurt

1/3 cup honey

1/2 pureed avocado (or 1/4 cup oil of choice)

Mix together then add:

1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour

2 cups rolled oats

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

Mix dry ingredients with liquid and then add mix-ins:

Possible mix-ins: CHOCOLATE CHIPS, raisins, craisins, coconut flakes.

Preheat oven to 375°F. Roll balls on cookie sheet and cook for 15-20 minutes.