If you find yourself craving something sweet in the middle of the day, it may just be your body telling you that you need to refuel on some nutrient-dense energizing foods to help you power through the day.
Enter homemade energy balls — all you need is a handful of ingredients and a blender or food processor to make these tasty snack bites.
Here’s a quick and easy energy ball recipe to get you started.
- 1 cup pecans or almonds
- ¾ cup pitted Medjool dates
- 3 tbsp raw cacao or unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp cayenne (or more if you want to turn up the heat!)
- Pinch sea salt
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp cacao nibs
- A splash of water, if needed
- Toppings – chopped coconut, cocoa powder, hemp seeds, crushed pumpkin or sesame seeds etc.)
Place the nuts in the food processor and process until crumbly. Add the dates and all ingredients (except cacao nibs) to the food processor and process until the mixture becomes sticky. Add the cacao nibs in the last 15 seconds of processing.
Add the remaining ingredients, adding a splash of water, if the mixture appears too dry. With slightly wet hands, roll the mixture into bite-sized rounds. (If the mixture is too sticky, you may want to pop it in the freezer for 10 minutes). Roll these balls into your choice of toppings and place them on a baking sheet. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes or so before serving.
Store leftovers in the fridge, or freezer.
