These fabulous little balls of chocolatey and peanutty goodness are so incredibly easy to make and if you have never made an energy ball before, this is a great recipe to start with as everyone loves them. Packed with nutritious ingredients, they are a much better alternative to processed snacks or chocolate and are great for an after school or post-exercise energy boost. They are a good way to get nutritious seeds and nuts into children who aren’t so keen on them raw. I love to savour one with a nice cuppa to perk me up in the afternoon and at around 70 kcals each they won’t derail your diet either – if you can stick to just one, that is.
Makes 20 balls
- 200g pitted dates
- 80g oats
- 20g mixed seeds (I used a mix of pumpkin, sunflower, sesame and brown linseed)
- 1 heaped tbsp cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp unsweetened peanut butter, smooth or crunchy
- 40g desiccated coconut or finely chopped unsalted peanuts (optional)
- Put the dates in a bowl and soak in hot water for 5-10 minutes to soften.
- Place the oats and seeds in a food processor or blender and whizz until finely ground. My food processor is a bit ancient so they keep a bit of texture, which I like, but you can go finer if you prefer.
- Drain the dates and thoroughly press out any excess water. Add the dates, cacao powder and peanut butter to the oat and seed mixture and whizz until the mixture forms a thick paste. If it’s a bit dry, just add a drop of water, just enough to bring the mixture together without it being too wet.
- Roll a small amount in your hand to form a ball, 20 times.
- Scatter the desiccated coconut or chopped peanuts onto a plate and roll each ball around the plate until thoroughly coated.
- Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. They also freeze well – just leave in the fridge overnight or at room temperature for an hour or two before you want to eat them.
Cook’s tips
A lot of energy ball recipes call for Medjool dates. Yes, they are delicious but they are very pricey and with so many lovely flavours going into these bonbons I find normal dates taste just great.
If you’re in a hurry, the coconut coating isn’t strictly necessary. It makes them look nice, but they taste pretty darn good without it.
You can try these with other unsweetened nut butters if you can’t have – or don’t like – peanut butter. We also love these made with almond butter.