Easy Cacao-Peanut Butter Energy Balls

I do love a snack and have been working on these little balls for a while and reckon I’ve got the right blend of nuttiness and rich chocolate with a tiny hint of salt from the peanut butter. The nuts are full of protein and good fats which makes them filling and satisfying, while the raw cacao adds a richness that makes them hard to overindulge in.

I used peanut flour in these as it adds loads of flavour and protein with a lot less fat than the equivalent amount of peanut butter (the nuts are roasted, ground & the oil squeezed out). The peanut butter in the recipe helps the mixture to stick together. If you have trouble finding the flour you could try adding some more oats and a little more peanut butter…these are easy to adapt so just keep tasting the mixture until you’re happy with it and then get rolling 🙂

Serves: 12-14 balls

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mixed nuts (I used hazelnuts, cashews, almonds & brazils)

• 10 medjool dates

• 1/4 cup oats

• 1/4 cup unsweetened raw cacao powder

• 1/4 cup peanut flour

• 1 heaped tbsp. peanut butter

• 2 tbsp. coconut oil (melted)

• 1 tbsp. honey

Method:

• Add the nuts to the blender first and mix for a few minutes until fine

• Next add the dates and blend until broken down and combined

• Then add the other dry ingredients and whizz again

• Finally add the peanut butter coconut oil and honey and blend for a minute or so

• The mixture will still look crumbly but should stick together in clumps. Adding a tiny bit of water may help here

• Remove the blade and start making balls by pressing the mixture together and rolling it in your palms

• Place the balls in a container and keep them in the fridge or freezer – my preference is eating them straight from the freezer when they’re nice and solid 😃