I love to snack, and what makes me even happier than the snacks I am eating is knowing I made them ! I choose the ingredients!! There's good fat, natural sugars, protein, and good carbs in these balls. Choosing snacks that don't have additives or excess sugars can be hard to find, even at the best healthful stores. So bust out your Vitamix of Food Processor and start making some balls. I used this recipe from the Nutrition Stripped Cook Book with a couple subs because I was using everything in my pantry. If you haven't checked out her book yet do it ! She has amazing recipes that are super simple and are clean-eating heaven. Give this recipe a try and let me know what you think.
2 cups pitted chopped dates (18-20)
3 monster tablespoons of almond butter
1/2 cup gluten free rolled oats
1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds
1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup raw almonds, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup ground flaxseed meal
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1 1/2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
pinch of sea salt
1/4 cup coating: Hemp seeds, cacao nibs, unsweetened shredded coconut
Start by pitting the dates and then adding them to a bowl of hot water for up to 5 minutes to get them nice and soft. Then add to Vitamix or food processor with all ingredients to the combine. The texture is super sticky. Take about a tablespoon's worth of the dough and roll into a small ball. Spread toppings onto a plate and roll balls in desired topping. Chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour to firm up. Sore in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
