It’s 4pm. You’re at work. And you’re craving a sugary snack. Chocolate? Mmm chocolate…But wait! You made a batch of energy balls and there’s one in the fridge with your name on it. YES. That’ll keep you going until dinner.

Not only is it a yummy, satisfying treat – it’s loaded with healthy plant protein and has no added sugar. You feel like you have a cheat to life that no one knows about.

So what’s in these bad boys? 

Energy balls, power balls, energy bites…call them what you will, these are tasty little balls of superfood goodness.

I know what you’re thinking. They look about as appetising as bird food. Until you realise they’re made of cacao powder, medjool dates, coconut oil, chia seeds, linseed, almonds, walnuts and hemp protein powder #EatClean.

And with DECHOX coming up (quitting chocolate for March), these are the perfect healthy substitue to a chocolate bar.

Ella’s delicious balls

I came across these nutritious balls at the Mae Deli – a guilt-free cafe created by healthy food guru Deliciously Ella. At just £1 a ball, I had to try one.

I took my first bite of the textured chocolatey dough. Oh my, that is scrumptious. Only there wasn’t any chocolate in it. Just good, healthy stuff rolled up in a ball.

Inspired by this spherical superfood, I sought out to make my own. Of course I tracked down Ella’s Ultimate Energy Bites recipe first.

If you’re anything like me, you’ll love quick and easy recipies. This is just that. There’s no cooking required. Just ingredients. And a food processor.

The hardest part is getting hold of all the stuff (and it’s not cheap). I raided Holland & Barret and managed to get the bulk of them, but I had to go to the supermarket for the medjool dates. I already had some coconut oil, which you can get on Amazon.

Tell me how to make the goddamn balls already

Okay! If you have a diddy food processor like me, follow this recipe to make around 14 balls (as in the top photo). For the larger processor, just double up.

8 ingredients. 8 easy steps. Let’s go…

Ingredients

75g of almonds
75g of walnuts
1 tablespoon of chia seeds
1 tablespoon of linseed
100g of medjool dates
1 heaped teaspoon of hemp protein powder
1 heaped teaspoon of raw cacao powder
1 heaped teaspoon of coconut oil

Method

1. Chuck the tough ingredients in the food processor first (these are in bold above).
2. Grind for 30 seconds, or until they’re well and truly pulverised.
3. De-seed and chop up the dates and whack them in with the rest of the ingredients.
4. Blend for 30 seconds, or until you’ve made a nice sticky dough.
5. Carefully remove the blade and scrape out your mixture.
6. Roll it into ping-pong-sized balls in your hands.
7. Arrange on a plate (Instagram that shit) and place in the fridge.
8. Grab one as and when you need a boost, and enjoy!

When can I eat them?

Like I said, they’re ideal for the afternoon munchies. They’re also great if you want a quick morning power up, instead of having your brekkie sloshing around inside you while you’re running or doing yoga.

Or you can munch on one before your evening exercise sesh to curb your hunger and keep you bouncing around until dinner.

I want more balls

Well you can have more balls! There are so many variations on this recipe. I bought the Energy Bites book for £3 on Amazon (I know right?!).

It’s packed with sweet and savoury options from Apple Pie Antioxidant Bites to Carrot and Beetroot Buckwheat Balls.

Ballin’.

Sam 🙂