Sometimes the best things are born out of necessity… like these wonderful little bite-sized balls o’ energy.
I often come in from teaching 2 bootcamps so ravenous I could eat my right arm off, and feel like face planting into the closest food handy.  I usually take time to make a smoothie bowl or chickpea omelette, but sometimes I just want something quick (and healthy!) to munch on while I’m whipping it up.
What’s a hungry dietitian to do??
Well, I’ll tell ya… from now on I’m gonna make up a batch of these little bad boys about once a week so I can pop one or two while I’m making my “real” snack. Â And I think everyone will be happier for it. Â But I won’t limit them to post-bootcamp only. No, these little bites are so healthy that a couple of them with a piece of fruit qualify as a take-along breakfast, and delicious enough to count as dessert. Â Or sometimes when I’m just craving something chocolatey & snack-y in the afternoons, I’ll have a couple with a cup of tea…Â it gets me through til dinner, & makes me feel like I’ve indulged myself.
And what could be better than that??
These guys are made with dates, oats, walnuts, cocoa powder, and a little hit of espresso powder. Â I also used some vegan protein powder to up the protein content, but if you don’t keep that around, just sub coconut flour. Â They take literally minutes to whiz up in your food processor (I used my mini) and this recipe makes 15 balls- enough for the week (usually!) Did I mention you don’t have to bake them?
So why not go make them right now and have your snacks set for the week?? Â There’s no good reason, really.
Ingredients
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup walnuts
- 8 pitted Medjool dates, softened
- 1 scoop vegan protein powder (can sub 2 T. coconut flour)
- 3 T. raw cacao powder (can sub regular cocoa powder)
- 1 t. instant espresso dissolved in 1 T. hot water
- 2 T. almond milk
- pinch of salt
- 1 T. dried unsweetened coconut, to roll in (optional)
Instructions
- Place oats and walnuts in a food processor, and blend until fine crumbs form. Add softened dates and pulse again until mixture holds together. Add remaining ingredients and pulse until a dough forms around the blade.
- Roll into 15 1-inch balls, then roll in coconut, if desired. Store in refrigerator or freezer.
Nutrition Facts
Espresso Energy Balls
Serves: 15 1-inch balls
| Amount Per Serving: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 85 | |
| % Daily Value* | ||
| Total Fat 3 grams | 4.6% | |
| Saturated Fat 0.5 grams | 0% | |
| Trans Fat | ||
| Cholesterol | 0 | |
| Sodium | 0 | |
| Total Carbohydrate 13 grams | 4.3% | |
| Dietary Fiber 2 grams | 8% | |
| Sugars 9 grams | ||
| Protein 2.5 grams | ||
| Vitamin A | Vitamin C | |
| Calcium | Iron | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
The Expat Dietitian
Am these be made without oats? I eat paleo. Thanks!
Hi Renee, try substituting a smaller amount of coconut flour for the oats… start with 2 T. & work your way up one tablespoon at a time until the dough sticks together. Let me know how they turn out! 🙂
Hi there, please forgive a dull question but are the “T”s in your recipe tablespoons or teaspoons?