A sweet treat that’s actually healthy for you? These no-bake date energy balls are perfect for a portion controlled snack!
If you’ve read my post on my no-bake chickpea peanut butter energy balls, then you know how much I love protein energy balls! You can’t go wrong with a real food snack that’s so easy to make, so versatile and so yummy!!
Also, try out these Strawberry Pretzel Energy Balls
These energy balls have dates as the sweetener and binder. Dates are a natural sugar and you can replace them for sugar in recipes in a 1:1 ratio. They are high in fiber, magnesium, B6 and iron. They're also packed with disease-fighting antioxidants.
Think…Lara bars. These balls can be made with cashews and taste just like Lara bars. Or you can use almonds, walnuts or peanut butter (or any nut, or nut-free, butter). Then play around with different flavor combinations. For these, I used orange zest and orange juice.
Making energy balls with dates does require a food processor, but the process is very quick. If you’re really short on time, buy pitted dates. And to shave even off even more time, look for my new favorite stuff…date paste! It’s the delicious gooey paste of all those dates and the work’s been done for you. Process the dates with the other ingredients, then add in whatever mix-ins you like. See below for some ideas!
Date Energy Balls
Makes about 10 balls
Ingredients:
· 1 cup raw cashews
· 1/2 cup pitted dates
· zest of 1 orange
· ~ 3 Tablespoons orange juice (reserve the rest)
Directions:
Add dates to food processor and pulse a few times. (If using date paste, skip this step).
Add cashews, orange zest and orange juice. Add reserved juice, tablespoon by tablespoon, if mixture is too dry. Mixture should be slightly moist and cohesive, sticking together when you press it between your fingers.
Remove to mixing bowl.
Roll into tablespoon-sized balls.
Nutrition Information: Serving size: 1 ball. Makes about 10 balls
Calories: 98
Carbohydrates: 20 grams
Fiber: 1.3 grams
Fat: 2.4 grams
Protein: 1.4 grams
Sugar: 16.4 grams
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