Energy Balls Recipe | Chocolate Chip Protein Bites | Vegan
Energy balls, energy bites, or power balls are like the cool, new, hip protein bar- that you can make at home. They’re quick to make, they’re easy to eat and they taste like little balls of heaven! It’s the health food that for once actually tastes good! Oh, Energy Balls, how I love thee. Let me count the ways I will devour your delicious vegan goodness. I like to have 2-3 of them as a quick breakfast when I don’t have the time 9which is always) to make something before I leave the house, and don’t want to buy something from the coffee shop. They are the perfect post-workout snack. They make a tasty and satisfying midnight snack for those times you’re in bed debating with yourself if making a slice of PB toast or microwaving that frozen burrito is worth it. They are the BEST snack for travelling! I stick a bunch of these in my carry-on and blammo! No shitty airplane food necessary!
To make energy balls, whether these specifically, or your own fun, flavour concoction you will need some basic building blocks.
Nuts butters. This is our source of protein and helps the mixture stick together. It’s a must have, and a fun to experiment with! Try these with peanut butter, cashew butter or hazelnut butter for a fun twist.
Dates. I like to use pitted medjool dates because of how sweet and sticky and they are. They will also help the mixture stick together and will add a lovely naturally sweet flavour. They are also a great source of natural energy! If you don’t have dates, you can use really any dried fruit you have.
Sticky sweetener. I like to use agave since us vegans don’t consume honey. But you can also use brown rice syrup or coconut syrup.
Oats or flours. Add texture, extra protein and satiety by adding in quick cooking oats, old fashioned rolled oats, or flours like almond, or coconut. I like to use a combination of these to get a nice chewy texture. The old fashioned oats are too chewy on their own (in my opinion) so I mix and match until It’s too my liking.
Optional add ins. Add nuts, chocolate chips, cacao nibs, seeds, extracts, spices, shredded coconut and even sprinkles for fun flavour twists and variety! You can literally come up with any flavour profile your heart desires! Try These Chocolate Blueberry flavoured ones, or these Birthday Cake with Sprinkles protein bites!
- ½ cup whole old fashioned oats
- ½ quick cooking oats
- ¼ cup agave
- 8 Medjool Dates
- ¼ cup almond butter
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- ¼ cup walnuts
- ¼ cup vegan chocolate chips
- In a food processor combine oats, agave, dates, almond butter, vanilla and salt.
- Process until the mixture is sticky and resembles a batter.
- Add walnuts and chocolate chips and pulse 2-3 times to combine.
- Transfer to a bowl and mix with your hands to combine further (if necessary) and refrigerate for 30 mins.
- Using an ice cream scoop or spoon, scoop mixture into your hand and roll into a ball and place on a lined baking sheet or plate. Repeat until you've used all the dough.
- Cover and refrigerate balls for another 30 mins and then place in a sealed container for up to one week or in the freezer for up to 1 month.
Warren says:
Candice, this was so simple and so amazingly delicious. I made all three in less than 20 minutes. Now my sweet cravings are satiated by grand little balls of goodness. Thanks.