Get the sweet pecan-y goodness with out all the extra sugar with these Pecan Pie Almond Butter Balls.
Hey buddies! I’m back today with more almond butter goodies. They’re comin’ at ya in the form of BALLZ. Pecan Pie Balls to be exact.
First I want to preface this by declaring my love for pie. As one of those gals who was born with a mouth full of sweet teeth dessert has always been my favorite part of most holiday gathering. Not to mention, my mom is a pie wizard. Rhubarb, apple, peach she’s the queen.
However, I never quite found a taste for pecan pie. I love pie, I love pecans, so it doesn’t make sense. All I can think is that the sweetness is a little overpowering.
So instead, I wanted to lighten up this holiday classic and make a healthy sweet appetizer for pecan pie lovers and skeptics alike. These balls are perfect for snacking on during the morning as you prep your holiday feast. I know, I’m personally a bit of a cranky cook if I haven’t eaten before hand.
These little pie balls are also great for a sweet little appetizer before your main meal. Savory appetizers are great, but we shouldn’t forget about ap-pie-tizers … too far? Oh well. I went there. #BringOnthePiePuns
These babies are made with only a handful of simple healthy ingredients and no refined sugar. I used Barney Butter’s Honey Flax Almond Butter which has quickly become one of my favorite almond butters. Yup. You heard that right. One of my favs.
Barney Butter is made with blanched almonds which gives it a creamy texture and milder taste. I like to say it’s the perfect gateway nut butter for any PB lovers on the fence. It’s also made in a peanut free facility so it’s great for anyone with a peanut allergy.
I first tried this flavor when I spotted it at HomeGoods. I love wandering through HomeGoods because I feel like anything I find feels like I hunted for it. So basically I’m a forager… a nut butter forager. The Honey Flax is just a touch sweet with flax seeds that add a nice texture to the creamy almond butter. I love using this flavor for baking and recipes.
For my other Barney Butter recipe check out: Warm Winter Kale Salad with Almond Butter Dressing
One of the best parts about energy ball recipes is that you can make ‘em in big batches and have them not just for Thanksgiving snacking but for leftovers, because everyone knows that Thanksgiving leftovers are epic, even the snacks.
- 1 Cup of Dates Pitted
- 1/2 Cup of Barney Honey Flax Almond Butter
- 1 Cup of Pecans
- 1 Cup of Oats
- 1/4 of Maple Syrup
- Place all ingredients into the food processor and blend until a dough forms (approximately 3 minutes)
- You may need to blot excess oil (from the pecans) with a paper towel
- Remove dough from the food processor and roll 1 1/2″ balls
- Store in the fridge for up to 3 weeks
Pin this recipe for later
This post is sponsored by Barney Butter, all opinions are my own. I’m grateful to the brands who help support In it 4 the Long Run.
Your Turn:
- What’s your favorite kind of pie?
- Thanksgiving meal: Do you savor the turkey or look forward to dessert?
What a great thanksgiving inspired snack!! I love barney butter, such great quality!!
Totally one of my favorites. So creamy and deeelish. <3
im not a pie person (i know, i know)…but i will eat pumpkin pie once a year and definitely chocolate mousse pie.
Ooo a chocolate mousse pie sounds amazing!
You have seriously perfected the ball-rolling technique. Perfect spheres. 10 out of 10.
#flattered
YUMMMM! I need these bites of almond butter heaven in my life!
You totally do!
These look RIDICULOUSLY good. I love that you used pecans and oh my word, that flavor of almond butter sounds amazing!
They were ballin’ 😉 I’ve been all about the pecans lately!
I LOVE apple pie…I definitely enjoy the savory part of Thanksgiving dinner and honestly usually skip the dessert and have more wine instead…DOH! But a warm crispy apple pie with vanilla ice cream can definitely change my mind. XOXO
Haha I like where your priorities are at 😉
YUM! and so easy. Would you be mad if I added chocolate chips? Just kidding, I’ll leave a few without 🙂
I would applaud you because that’s an excellent idea! Chocolate chips are always a welcome addition
Another fantastic use of Barney!
The only pie I like is pumpkin! Otherwise, I can just happily forgo an pie eating 😛
Pumpkin is pretty dang good!
I’m more of a savory girl when it comes to Thanksgiving…the sides are everything!!! Give me all the Brussels sprouts and sweet potatoes and I’m set. But when dessert comes around, you can bet your life I’m having a slice of my Dad’s famous peanut butter pie! <3
Sides are the bomb! PB pie? Say no more! I’m in.
That almond buttahhhh is so creamy! Need to try. Also, is it a sin that I haven’t made ballz yet? Who am I?
It’s seriously the creamiest almond butter I’ve tried – definitely the closest to PB texture – once you ball you don’t go back
Whoa these look delish. Why have I not yet tried Barney’s butter? I actually COMPLETELY RAN OUT of nut butters today and I don’t know what to do this myself so I may have to try this out when I head to the store first thing in the morning!
Gasp! Actually that can be a fun problem because it means you get to go shoppin’
I’m not a huge pie person, but I love ballz and pecans so I’m all about this recipe! To me, Thanksgiving is all about those savory side dishes. Even turkey is kind of meh, but give me brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and stuffing and I’m a happy girl.
Bring on da sprooouts. (and balls)
Home Goods is SO like foraging! I love that store. We are getting one 10 minutes from where I live and excited is an understatement!
Haha that’s amazing!!
THESE look so good. You know what just popped into my mind? You know those ice cream places (I think it’s called Cold Stone Creamery?) that mix goodies into ice cream? WELL I want these mixed into vanilla ice cream. Am I crazy? I dunno, but it sounds so so delicious!
Woah. Genius. Just genius.
I’m TOTES making these BALLS this weekend!!! I have a huge bag of pecans I need to use. You are da bomb!
Thanks girl! I’ve been on a total pecan kick lately!
I feel ya about the pecan pie, not my favorite. I never even had a taste for it when I was a kid. But I’m drooling over these. Straight up DROOLING.
Thanks Ash! Glad we’re on the same pie page.
These look awesome! I usually look for unique nut butters at Bed Bath & Beyond. I’ll have to check out Home Goods too. I love berry or cherry pie during the holidays. It’s so nice when it’s warmed up and the crust is super flaky. Sometimes I’ll even eat leftovers for breakfast 🙂
I’m impressed, I must say. Truly rarely do I encounter a website that’s equally
educative and interesting, and I would like to tell you, you have hit the nail on the head.
Wow. That is seriously the best compliment. Thank you so so much!