Healthy "Granola Bar" Energy Balls

Healthy "Granola Bar" Energy Balls ​print

Author: Rachel’s Eats 
Makes: appx 10 balls per recipe

Ingredients:
Pista-Cran:
1/2 cup dates (soaked in warm water for 10 minutes)
1/4 cup rolled oats 
3 tbsp superfood of choice (flax/ chia seeds/ more oats)
pinch of salt
2 tbsp almond butter (or other alternative) 
1/4 cup pistachios (plus more for garnish) 
1/4 cup cranberries (plus more for garnish)
water as needed

Spiced Coconut Cashew Apricot:
1/2 cup dates (soaked in warm water for 10 minutes)
1/4 cup rolled oats 
3 tbsp superfood of choice (flax/ chia seeds/ more oats)
pinch of salt
1 tsp ground ginger*
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 
1/2 tsp ground all spice 
2 tbsp cashew butter (or other alternative) 
1/4 cup cashews 
1/4 cup chopped dried apricots (plus more for garnish)
unsweetened shredded coconut flakes
water as needed

Chocolate Peanut Butter:
1/2 cup dates (soaked in warm water for 10 minutes)
3 tbsp rolled oats 
1 tbsp cocoa powder (plus more for garnish)
3 tbsp superfood of choice (flax/ chia seeds/ more oats)
pinch of salt
2 tbsp peanut butter (or other alternative) 
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
1/4 cup peanuts (plus more for garnish)
water as needed



Directions:

1. For each recipe, place the dates, super food mixture, and salt (and spices/cocoa powder) into a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is crumbly. 
2. Next, add in your nut butter and pulse once more. 
3. Finally, add in your dried fruit and nuts (and chocolate). Pulse until mixture comes together in a ball or firmly sticks together when you press it between your fingers. If it doesn’t, and is crumbling apart, add in a teaspoon of water at a time until the mixture firms up. If it is too sticky, add in a tablespoon of oats at a time until the mixture firms up. 
4. With lightly wet hands, roll the mixture into 2 tbsp sized balls. Each recipe should make around 10 balls. 
5. Optional: Roll the ‘Pista-Cran” ball in powdered pistachio and top with a cranberry. Roll the ‘Spiced Coconut Cashew Apricot’ ball in shredded coconut flakes and top with a piece of dried apricot. Roll the ‘Chocolate Peanut Butter’ ball in cocoa powder and top with a peanut. 
6. To Store: Store in an airtight container and keep in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. 
7. Take these on the go to school, work, on the road or eat as a quick snack to fill you up until your next meal! 

Note: Spices- If you don't have all the spices available, you can substitute them with 2 teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice, all spice or cinnamon.