Using a food processor makes the Raw Protein Energy Balls with pitted dates very simple to mix.
This simple and easily adaptable recipe is a must-have whether you’re often on the run and needing a quick snack heading out the door or, it’s midafternoon slump time needing a healthy bite-size, snicky-snack pick me up-
With my “20 somethings” hanging around the house that “get hangry” from pre- or post-workout time, OR, still needing “a little something” after a meal, OR, they just can’t quite make it to mealtime- we keep these in the freezer within reach all the time. When we get tired of a certain recipe, we change up the ingredients. A key to all of our wellness, to keep a quick, handy, healthy treat easily accessible that satisfies, keeps us feeling our best, then we are not tempted to grab something out of hungry desperation!
We have many versions in our home, named for the ingredients in the recipe, plus they do each have different tastes as well as nutritional benefits. Recipes can easily be organic, non-GMO, sugar-free depending on the ingredient brands you choose. And a GREAT bonus, they are No-Bake recipes! Fast, simple to make, and wha-laaaah!
Flax Power Balls
1 cup GF rolled oats or, almond meal
½ cup chocolate chips (Lilly’s is a great sugar-free version, Or, cacao nibs)
½ cup ground flaxseed
½ cup nut butter of choice (chunky is a favorite adding more crunchiness)
1/3 cup local honey or maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract (Or, try almond extract if using almond butter)
Additional add in’s: Finely chopped organic, raw, unsweetened coconut flakes. If the mix is too dry, add a tablespoon at a time of melted coconut oil until easily form into balls.
Combine all ingredients. Form into 1 inch balls. Arrange on a flat baking sheet or glass dish fitting easily into the freezer. Keep in the freezer then GRAB and GO as needed! Enjoy!
Raw Protein Energy Power Balls
2 cups dates (pitted)
1 cup nut butter of choice (sunflower seed is a nice alternative)
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract (or almond extract if almond butter if you like)
3 Tbsp. organic fair-trade cacao powder
½ ounce vanilla or chocolate protein powder
½ cup cacao nibs
Dash of Celtic salt
(This recipe has more added natural sugar with the dates as a base yet include a protein source with your choice of powdered mix.) Using a food processor, blend the dates after pitting them. Add the remainder of ingredients. If too dry, add a tablespoon at a time of melted coconut oil until easily form into balls. Form into 1 inch balls. Arrange on a flat baking sheet or glass dish fitting easily into the freezer. Keep in the freezer then GRAB and GO! Enjoy!