Cocoa energy balls

Why you will love energy balls

If this is your first time making some of these "sweet meatballs," also known as protein balls, you may not know what to expect. However, that doesn't have to be a reason not to try them anyway. In the next paragraph I'll explain why I like energy balls so much and why you should try them too!

• VERSATILITY: Just do a quick search and you will realize that there are countless variations of these for protein balls. You can include your protein powder, any kind of oily nuts, some coconut flakes.
• EVEN WITHOUT DATES: you can make your own date-free energy balls using dried figs as in the Botanical Cooking recipe. A great alternative!
• SHAPE: It may sound like a trivial motivation, but the spherical shape of energy balls has several positive sides. In fact, thanks to their small shape they are perfect to take to work as a snack, as breakfast while on the train. Or even, like the ones you see in the photos I took them to the movies and shared them with my friends.
• STORAGE: Energy balls taste best when served at a cold temperature. They should therefore be stored in the refrigerator in a glass or plastic container. The great thing, though, is that you can also freeze them and enjoy them almost frozen-they're just as good!
• SWEET, BUT WITHOUT SUGAR: That's right, to make these cocoa energy balls I used dates and agave syrup to give sweetness. These are of course also sources of sugar but "traditional" or brown sugar is not used as in other desserts or snacks.

Here are all the ingredients you'll need

The ingredients you will need to make your vegan date-oat energy balls are simple and readily available in any supermarket.

• Dates - Left to soak for a few hours in warm-warm water or overnight
• Oatmeal - If you prefer not to have large chunks of oats in your energy balls you can also blend them first to make them finer.
• Seed mix - Use the seeds you like best, there are no rules for this part, you can really let your imagination run wild. My seed mix included sunflower, pumpkin and cashew seeds.
• Peanut butter - Again, any nut butter will do. If you want to make your energy balls without peanut butter you can substitute it with almond butter, cashew butter, hazelnut butter, or even you can use Tahina (sesame seed cream).
• Agave syrup - It is used to make our protein balls sweet. Alternatively, you can also use maple syrup.
• Cocoa powder - Cocoa powder is the star of this recipe and will give a sweet chocolate flavour.

Other ingredients I used but are optional :

• Whole hazelnuts (Optional) - They will serve for the interior or core of our energy balls.
• Chocolate flakes - For the outside of energy balls.
• Chia seeds - For the outside of energy balls.
• Chopped pumpkin seeds - Also for the outside of energy balls.

Preparation (step-by-step)

1. Mix all the ingredients with a blender

Place all ingredients (except hazelnuts) in a blender and blend until you get the desired consistency. Taste and adjust sugar if you feel it is necessary.

2. Form your own energy balls

Helping yourself with two hands form your own energy balls of the size you prefer. You can help yourself with gloves for this part if you wish.

3. Dip the energy balls into the "outside ingredients"

Put all the ingredients with which you will decorate your balls (I used chocolate chips, chopped pumpkin seeds, and chia seeds) in a saucer and mash the balls until completely covered.

Storage tips

Your energy balls can be stored in a glass or plastic container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage you can also opt to freeze them and enjoy them when you feel like it most. You'll be able to keep them in the freezer for 3-4 months!

Now that you have all the information to prepare this recipe, all you have to do is get to work. Have fun in the kitchen!

I so hope you enjoyed the recipe! See you soon