Nut-free cacao energy balls
These nut-free cacao energy balls are a handy snack for on-the-go or an addition to your chid’s lunchbox or a party treat.
Energy balls or bliss balls are a great thing to keep in the fridge for an on-the-go snack, lunchbox addition or a delicious party treat.
To keep them nut-free and school-friendly, I’ve used a mixture of pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and oats. The seeds are a great source of monounsaturated fats and the pumpkin seeds are one of the best ways you can increase your child’s zinc intake. The oats help to bulk up the energy balls while also providing fibre to manage blood sugar levels and keep us regular.
These nut-free cacao energy balls are sweetened using Medjool dates. They also contain dietary fibre and nutrients such as B vitamins, beta-carotene and potassium.
Word of warning though, dates are high in natural sugars and so like many energy, bliss or protein balls, these nut-free cacao energy balls should be consumed as a treat. I know it’s hard to stop at one!
What’s also great about these nut-free cacao energy balls is that they don’t take long to make since you don’t need to bake them! Simply through everything in the food processor or blender and then get rolling.
If you try making your own Nut-free Cacao Energy Balls please let me know!
Leave a comment, send this post to a friend, pin it, or take a photo of your cooking and tag me on Instagram!
HAPPY COOKING!
Nut-free Cacao Energy Balls
Prep time: 5 mins | Make time: 5 mins
Makes: approx. 16 balls
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup rolled oats
- 1/3 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/3 cup sunflower seeds
- 1 cup desiccated coconut + extra to coat
- 12 Medjool dates (about 1 cup)
- 2 tbsp cacao powder
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions:
- Place the Medjool dates in a bowl of warm water and allow to soak for 5 minutes.
- Add the remaining ingredients (except the extra coconut) into a food processor.
- De-pip the dates and add to the food processor. Blitz until the mixture combines. If needed, add 1 tbsp of water to help bind the mixture.
- Roll into small balls before coating with coconut.
- Place in the fridge or freezer to set. These can be stored in the fridge for 1 week or up to a month in the freezer (if they last that long!)
Note:
Note: You can coat the balls in cacao for an extra chocolate taste or chopped seeds for extra crunch. For a party, I like make a mixture of differently coated balls.
For a gluten-free ball, remove the oats and add extra seeds
WWW.NUTRITIONFORKIDS.COM.AU
