Energy Ballin'.
DISCLAIMER: NO DOGS WERE HARMED IN THE MAKING OF THESE BALLS. NOR WERE THEY PROVIDED ENERGY BALLS.
They were provided treats, though, for their short-lived cooperation and cuteness.
Discovering energy balls was a little life changing for me (I'm a dietitian, these nerdy things excite me). Need a pre-workout snack? Energy ball. Craving something a little sweet, but want to stay on track with your healthy eating? Energy ball. Late night dessert that won't break your diet bank? Energy ball. They are universal. Taking the time to make them one day out of the week is 100% worth it in regards to the amount of time you'll save when you're trying to eat healthy and you're a busy human ('busy human' is kind of redundant).
There's TONS of recipes out there so I encourage you to play around with them. You can make these vegan or add in Collagen Peptides; make them sweeter or make low-sugar options.. whatever you like! You do you.
I've tried a variety. Some of these balls are inspired by other food blog babes and some are my own experiments, but here are a few different recipes to try to get you started.
Little Bits of real Food's (IG: @littlebitsof-realfood) Vanilla Shortbread Energy Balls with Vital Proteins (modified):
- 1 1/2 cups almond flour
-1/4 cup Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides (I used these, the original recipe used the vanilla collagen peptides)
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-8 pitted dates
-pinch of salt
-2 tablespoons of water
Combine all ingredients and blend. Mix in water and pulse again for doughier consistency. Scoop out the dough into balls whatever size you prefer. I rolled mine in coconut flakes. Put in the fridge or freezer to harden and eat throughout the week, as desired!
**LOW SUGAR OPTION: Omit or use less dates.
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Balance with B's (@balancewithb) No Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites (modified):
-1 cup gluten free oats
5 medjool dates
-2 teaspoons vanilla extract
-3 tablespoons creamy almond butter
-1/2 tablespoon of warm water
-sprinkle in a few pinches of salt
-sprinkle in Cacao Nibs
Pulse the oats to get a flour-like consistency. Add dates and pulse until combined. Add in the vanilla, almond butter, sea salt and pulse to get a dough-like consistency. Add the warm water in, as needed, to get the mix to stick together. Add Cacao Nibs in and pulse or sprinkle into the dough. I sprinkled them in. Roll into balls and store in the fridge/freezer in an air tight container. Enjoy!
D's Cinnamon Maca Balls
-1 1/2 cups almond butter
-1 tablespoon maca powder
-1/4 cup oats
-1 scoop Vital Proteins
-1/2 cup dates
-1/4 cup cashew milk
-dash of Himalayan pink sea salt
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-cinnamon (generously)
Blend all ingredients to form dough-like consistency. Roll into balls. Easy peasy.
Woohoo! I made it through the whole thing without making a bad joke about "balls!"
Stay Wild,
Danielle
MS, RD, LDN