Energy balls - the ultimate high protein, energy boosting healthy snack. These easy to make vegan energy bites are loaded with seeds, nut butter and dried fruit for a convenient snack that is good for you too.
Energy balls; also known as energy bites, power balls, snack bites, bliss balls and protein balls; are the perfect snack. They are full of healthy ingredients like nuts, seeds and dried fruit; they provide you with a boost of energy and protein, they are so quick and easy to make, and they keep well in the fridge ready to grab whenever you need one.
These ones are made with a mixture of seeds, desiccated coconut, dried fruit, cacao nibs, nut butter and maple syrup; along with some superfood powder if you wish (I used maca) and a touch of cinnamon for flavour.
They are just sweet enough to satisfy a sweet craving, but aren't so full of sugar that they are unhealthy; and they provide you with both fast and slow release energy.
The texture is chewy, with a lovely crunch from the cacao nibs which makes them addictively good!
Fresh Vegan Kitchen Review:
The recipe comes by way of a new cookbook that I was recently sent - Fresh Vegan Kitchen by David and Charlotte Bailey.
David and Charlotte run a street food van selling vibrant, healthy vegetarian and vegan cuisine; and Fresh Vegan Kitchen contains over 100 of their fresh, exciting recipes ranging from traditional Asian and Indian recipes, to vegan takes on Spanish Tapas and Middle Eastern mezze; along with recipes for satisfying breakfasts and sweet treats.
It also includes ideas for raw and gluten free diets and most of the recipes are on the healthy side using fresh vegetables and wholefood ingredients (though there is also a recipe for vegan churros with chocolate sauce that looks amazing!).
The recipes are very varied and interesting and show that veganism doesn't have to be boring. Some examples of the types of recipes included are:
- Black rice pudding
- Laksa
- Bao zi steamed buns
- Hot aubergine salad
- Pulled jackfruit sliders
- Chocolate chilli mole
- Maple-glazed tofu
- Borage and blueberry snow cones
- Raw chocolate brownies
- Truffle popcorn
I would say that perhaps this is a book for seasoned vegans or vegetarians or people who are very into their cooking rather than new vegans or people without much cooking experience.
While the recipes are not necessarily complicated, a lot of the recipes do contain ingredients that are not really available in the average supermarket - things like candlenuts, arame, kombu, acai puree, daikon, lacuma powder and sago for example. This means that in order to make a good few of the recipes you would need to source ingredients online or from specialist shops; not exactly ideal.
The recipe for the energy balls (called power balls in the book, but I prefer energy balls) turned out really well and I have been snacking on them most days. I did have to add in some extra ground almonds however as the mix was a little too sticky. With the extra addition they were the perfect consistency for rolling into balls.
All in all, this book has some lovely recipes in it and is a good addition to a vegan recipe book collection, though I feel that it is maybe more of a special occasion book than an every day one.
For another variation on energy balls try my cranberry, pistachio and coconut energy bites.
Energy Balls Recipe:
Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 100 g (⅔ cup) pumpkin or sunflower seeds (I used half and half)
- 4 Tbsp sesame seeds plus extra for rolling if you like
- 50 g (⅔ cup) unsweetened desiccated coconut plus extra for rolling
- 2 Tbsp ground flaxseed
- 50 g (⅓ cup) mixed dried fruits (dates, apricots, raisins) chopped if large
- 1-2 Tbsp of your favourite superfood powder (such as maca or lacuma) optional
- 50 g (⅓ cup) cacao nibs
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon plus extra for rolling
- 120 ml (½ cup) maple syrup (or agave)
- 80 g (⅓ cup) nut or seed butter (I used peanut butter)
- a pinch of salt
- cacao powder for rolling
- ground almonds as needed
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients apart from the maple syrup and nut butter in a food processor and blend until finely chopped.
- Add the maple syrup and nut butter and continue to blend until the mixture has started to become smooth but still has some texture. If the mix is too sticky, stir in some ground almonds until it reaches a consistency where you can easily roll it into balls.
- With your hands, roll the mixture into bite-sized pieces about the size of ping pong balls, you should get around 15 of them.
- If you like, you can roll the energy balls in cacao powder, desiccated coconut, sesame seeds or cinnamon to coat. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
I was sent this cookbook free of charge to review but I was not paid to write this post and all opinions are my own.
Ella
Delicious
imsen
Really easy and adaptable recipe for no bake energy balls. All the family love them and really helps when you want to reach for a sweet treat and you have the balls made so quickly to hand!