Energy Balls | The Perfect Snack!

If someone doesn't have a craving for sweets in the middle of the afternoon, from time to time, is either an unusual person, or someone here is hiding the game... :D Just joking, this snack is the real lifesaver! And even better, it's very quick to prepare!

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Why are you going to love this recipe

If I say chocolate, you scream vegan!! Yes, these energy balls have the option of vegan chocolate chips, but also cocoa - which makes us feel like we're eating the best and purest dessert sweets!

It's a combination of ingredients, all super simple, that together will transform our afternoons, no longer needing to rummage through the cupboards in an attempt to find something that satisfies our taste buds and emotions.

The most positive thing is that because they are just amazing ingredients, these snacks are whole foods and they really awake the best energy inside our body!

Tips for following the recipe

Here are some points and substitutions if you don't have all the ingredients available at home - which won't be an excuse not to make the recipe! Yeah, got you! :D

Peanut butter: really recommended for the recipe to work. We can substitute with any other nut paste, such as almonds, hazelnuts, cashew nuts, etc.

Oat: I usually use medium or whole oatmeal, but oatmeal can be used as well. It is important to be careful not to hit the processor's 'pulse' button too often, if you use it.

Date paste: A substitute ingredient for honey, maple or molasses, date paste can be made at home or purchased ready-made. Here I talk about how to make it at home! Substituing a sweet liquid ingredient for granulated sugar may not do the best.

Cocoa powder: both traditional and alkaline, use the cocoa you like best. It is the star of the recipe, we don't have much to replace it!

Salt: A pinch of salt in sweet recipes helps to bring out the flavor of the ingredients, but it's not necessary if you prefer a salt-free diet.

Vanilla essence: optional but recommended ingredient. We can replace it with almond essence.

Chocolate chips: Optional ingredient. Just make sure it doesn't contain milk or dairy products. Always read the ingredients list!

To follow the recipe I use my processor, in the 'pulse' option. It is not necessary to pulse many times, just until the ingredients become a homogeneous dough that allows it to be molded.

If you prefer, using oatmeal in flour form allows us to mix the ingredients by hand in a bowl!

Better watch it in video?

Check out the video I prepared on YouTube, with exactly this recipe! Click here or you'll find the full video also in the 'videos' menu here on the blog!

Energy Balls | Chocolate

Prep time

20 min

Ingredients

1 tbspoon date paste

1/2 cup oats

1 tbspoon cacao powder

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 teaspoon vanilla essence

Pinch of salt

Chocolate chips

Method

1. See above for instructions on ingredients and their possible substitutions!

2. In a food processor, place all ingredients except chocolate chips.

3. With the processor lid closed, press the pulse option 2-3 times.

4. Carefully scrape the sides of the processor so that everything turns into a homogeneous dough.

5. Press the pulse option 3 to 4 more times. At this point, it will already turn into a dough. Otherwise, pulse a few more times.

6. Transfer the content to a bowl and form a ball of dough with your hands.

7. Refrigerate for 10 minutes for the dough to set.

8. After the time, form balls with your hands and take them to the freezer!

* The Energy Balls can be consumed without the need for a freezer and there is no need to go to the oven.

** The time in the freezer will make the balls more even and whole.

*** If you prefer to store it for the week, always store it in the fridge or freezer.

Energy Balls | Chocolate

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