Fit Foodie Cooking Club – January 2021 Recipes & Menu

The January Fit Foodie Cooking Club is in full swing, and this month’s featured recipe is Peanut Butter Protein Balls.

What is the Fit Foodie Cooking Club?

The Fit Foodie Cooking Club is a monthly cooking challenge designed to bring our community together through simple, real-food recipes. Each month we pick one recipe for everyone to make, share, and celebrate together — a great way to build kitchen confidence, try new flavor combinations, and connect with other home cooks.

January 2021 – The Details

Please read the details below carefully so your entry counts. If you have any questions, leave them in the comments of this post.

Recipe of the Month

January’s recipe is a Fit Foodie favorite: Peanut Butter Protein Balls. These no-bake bites are an easy, high-protein snack for post-workout fuel, busy mornings, or an afternoon pick-me-up.

This recipe uses just seven ingredients and requires no food processor. Key highlights:

• Gluten-free
• Approximately 9g protein per ball
• Lower in sugar compared to many store-bought snacks
• About 140 calories per ball

Ingredients You’ll Need

These peanut butter protein balls are made from simple pantry staples. You’ll need:

1. All-natural peanut butter (drippy, stir-able)
2. Vanilla protein powder (choose a flavor you enjoy)
3. Rolled oats
4. Chia seeds
5. Honey
6. Mini chocolate chips
7. Water (to adjust consistency)

Tools You’ll Need

No food processor is required, so tools are minimal and approachable:

Large bowl: for mixing the batter.

Wooden spoon: to combine ingredients by hand.

Cookie scoop: a 1-tablespoon scoop gives uniform bites; use a 1.5-tablespoon scoop if you prefer larger balls.

Storage container: keep finished protein balls in a glass container or a gallon-size freezer bag. They stay fresh longest in the freezer and can be thawed as needed.

Recipe Tips

• Choose drippy, all-natural peanut butter: a stir-able texture adds both fat and moisture, helping the mixture hold together without extra processing.
• Substitute nut butters: almond or cashew butter work well — pick a drippy variety for the same texture.
• Pick a protein powder you like: protein powders vary widely in sweetness and flavor. Use one you enjoy, and if it’s whey-based you may need a touch more water to reach the right consistency.
• Look for cookie-dough texture: the batter should be pliable and slightly sticky before rolling. If it’s too dry, add a small amount of water or honey. If it’s too wet, add a bit more protein powder or oats.
• Customize add-ins: swap mini chocolate chips for raisins, chopped nuts, or shredded coconut depending on preference.

How to Enter

Ready to share your version? Here’s how to participate.

1. Make the recipe and take a clear photo of your finished peanut butter protein balls.
2. Leave a comment on the Peanut Butter Protein Balls recipe post with your photo and impressions. Tell us how the recipe went, whether you tweaked anything, and include your name and email when prompted so winners can be contacted.

Important Dates

• Monday, January 4, 2021 – First day to submit an entry.
• Tuesday, January 26, 2021 – Last day to submit your photo and comment.
• Wednesday, January 27, 2021 – Winners selected and announced in this post and on social media.

The Prize

Two participants will each win a $100 Target gift card. Winners are chosen randomly from eligible comments posted between January 4 and January 26, 2021. Announcements are made on the last Wednesday of the month.

Charity of the Month

UNICEF

Each month we select a charity to support. For January 2021, the chosen charity is UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund). In support of their work, we will match and double the giveaway amount to donate a total of $400 to UNICEF.

UNICEF provides humanitarian and developmental assistance to children worldwide, working to overcome challenges such as poverty, disease, and inequality so children can thrive. Supporting this work helps ensure children have access to essential care and protection.

Donate

If you’d like to support the monthly charity, consider making a donation to UNICEF or another organization of your choice. Every contribution helps make a difference.