Easy snack that will boost your energy and satisfy your sweet tooth all at the same time!
. . .
these are perfect on their own, but also pair greatly with apple slices or a banana.
Energy balls are one of the easiest snacks and they also double-up as dessert! I find that having a couple of energy balls in the afternoon, paired with apple slices or a banana is the perfect thing to tame my sugar-craving demons :)
The sweetness in this recipe comes from dates - the fruit of the date palm tree, which is then dried to get these perfectly chewy, wrinkled dried fruits that are so sweet and nutritious. There are many different types of dates, but the ones that work best for this recipe (or any recipe where you have to blend them to create a paste-like consistency) are either Medjool dates (large, meaty dates - pretty much as good as it gets) or Mazafati dates (smaller and more budget-friendly). Best places to buy good quality dates are neighborhood Middle Eastern stores or online, if there are no such stores around you.
additional information
Almonds - high in monounsaturated fats, fiber, protein and important nutrients. They are also loaded with antioxidants, high in vitamin E and magnesium, and can assist with blood sugar control (source).
Dates - high in several nutrients, fiber and antioxidants, all of which may provide health benefits ranging from improved digestion to a reduced risk of disease. They are also a great sugar substitute due to their naturally sweet flavor (source).
Cocoa (or Cacao) Powder - contains more antioxidants than most foods, its anti-inflammatory effects may directly influence insulin resistance, which reduces the risk for diabetes, can protect nerves from injury and inflammation, and have beneficial effects on satiety, cognitive function, and mood (source).
requires a simple list of ingredients:
almonds
medjool (or mazafati) dates
cacao powder
almond butter
coconut oil
vanilla extract
preparation details
This is a fairly easy recipe to make, given that the food processor is doing most of the work. Start by roasting your almonds (you do not have to roast them, but I find that it adds a little somethin’-somethin’ to the overall flavor) for 10 min. and then let them cool. In the meantime, remove the pits from the dates - be careful not to miss any as the pits may damage your food processor.
Once the almonds have cooled down, place in the food processor and pulse a few times to roughly chop them.
Add the rest of the ingredients to the food processor and process for 2-3 min. until a dough-like consistency is achieved and the mixture stays together, and it is not crumbly, when you pinch it.
A note about almond butter - see recipe for Homemade Almond Butter, but if using store-bought, be sure to mix it well as sometimes the oil tends to separate and float on the top.
It helps to place the mixture in the refrigerator to firm-up slightly, which makes it easier to roll the balls without it being too messy. If pressed for time, you can skip that step, but it will be more sticky for sure.
To roll the balls, use a teaspoon to scoop the mixture and roll between the palms of your hands - I find it to be quite meditative. You can also use a cookie scoop to get a more uniform size.
Place the energy balls in a container and store in the refrigerator for up to a week.
recipe
Almond-Cacao Energy Balls
Easy snack that will boost your energy and satisfy your sweet tooth all at the same time! They are perfect on their own, but also pair greatly with sliced apple or a banana.
{vegetarian & vegan friendly}
Author: The Kitchen Plot
Prep Time: 15 min.
Cook Time: 15 min.
Overall Time: 30 min.
Makes: approx. 26 energy balls
Perfect for: snack
Keeps for: fridge - up to a week
Ingredients:
100 g {3/4 cup} almonds
200 g {16-18} dates
2 Tbsp cacao powder (or cocoa powder)
2 Tbsp almond butter
1 tsp coconut oil
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
Method:
You can either roast the almonds slightly or use raw, I suggest roasting them.
If roasting the almonds - pre-heat oven to 350 F convection (fan). Once oven is pre-heated, place the almonds on a baking tray, roast for 10 min. and then let cool slightly.
Once almonds have cooled, place in a food processor and pulse a few times, until roughly chopped.
Add remaining ingredients and process 2-3 min., until you have achieved a dough-like consistency and the mixture stays together when pinched.
Transfer to a bowl and place in the refrigerator for 10-15 min. to firm up slightly.
Using a teaspoon, scoop the mixture and roll between your palms. You can use a cookie scoop to achieve a more uniform size.
Place energy balls in a container and store in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Bon appétit!
If you like this recipe, you can save it to your Pinterest board!