Date energy balls are the best option for a wholesome snack with a glass of date seed tea. As a straightforward dessert, bite sized balls of dates and finely powdered walnuts are served.
The date energy balls have a great flavor, are quite easy to make and are packed with nutrients. The energy bits are naturally sweetened by the dates, and the satiety and healthy fat from the nuts complete the composition.
Although I’ve made a number of variations of these in the past, this recipe is by far my favorite of all of them.
It can be put together quickly because it only needs two parts. You can also make a significant amount of it to consume throughout the week because it can be stored for a number of days without going bad.
Additionally, there are an endless amount of possible taste combinations, so you will undoubtedly find something that appeals to you.
Dates: Medjool dates are renowned for their delicate texture, little stickiness, and inherent sweetness. The energy balls won’t need any additional parts to hold themselves together because of their constancy.
Nuts: You can use any kind of nut, but I find that cashews, walnuts, or hazelnuts produce the greatest results when creating these.
You are welcome to include a number of nuts in your recipe, including pistachios, pecans, peanuts, and macadamia nuts. If desired, you can add more ingredients such as desiccated coconut, vanilla, chili pepper, sea salt flakes, or a pinch of each.
Because of these, the balls will acquire a little flavor. View the Variations section below for even more flavor pairing ideas! In order to blend the nuts and the dates, you will also need a food processor.
Typically, the middle of the date contains a pit or seed. Make sure to remove these with caution before using them. You must remove any shells that may be present on the nuts.
Next, add the dates and chopped nuts to a food processor. The combination should be processed for another minute or more, or until the grains are very small.
See if you can roll a small amount into a ball with just your hands by taking it in your hands. You are prepared to go to the following step if you can easily roll the dough into a ball.
You must then take a small amount of the mixture using a spoon or scoop and shape it into balls with your hands. You can choose the size of the energy balls, and there should be enough of this mixture to make between ten and fifteen date energy balls.
To avoid the mixture turning into a thick, creamy liquid that would be difficult to roll into balls, take care not to over process the nuts and dates.
If that happens, you can use it to make a tasty spread instead! Make sure you take out any seeds or pits from the dates before using them.
You have the option of adding the dates and nuts whole to the food processor or chopping them first.
In terms of how long it takes to process them, it really does not make much of a difference. No additional sugar or sweetener is required because dates already have a naturally sweet flavor.
Date and walnut combination balls can be stored in an airtight jar for up to four days. If stored in a cool, dry environment, such as a refrigerator, they have a shelf life of up to 10 days.
Additionally, date energy balls can be frozen for up to six months. Let them thaw or defrost in the fridge for at least a few hours or overnight, whichever comes first, before serving.
You can chop the ingredients using a knife if you don’t have access to a food processor. Using a coffee grinder will probably yield better results because a very fine texture is required.
Dates should first soak in water for 20 minutes if they are too dry before using them. In most situations, this is not necessary, although it can make the process of combining things easier.
Remove the pits from the dates, and then shell out the nuts. Afterward, put the dates and walnuts in a food processor.
The combination should be processed for another minute or more, or until the grains are very small. See if you can roll a small amount into a ball with just your hands by taking it in your hands. The process of making the grains should not be challenging.
Roll the mixture into 10 to 15 energy balls using your hands. You can use any nut of your choosing, including walnuts, cashews, peanuts, and pecans.
If the mixture is too dry and you have trouble forming it into balls, you can add more coconut oil, nut butter, or water to assist get the ideal consistency.
These can be kept frozen for up to 6 months, in the refrigerator for up to 10 days, or at room temperature for up to 4 days.
If you think the mixture is too wet, you can add additional dry ingredients to help it become more stable, such as flax meal, oat flour, or coconut flour.
You might choose to place the mixture in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before rolling it into balls if, after following the preceding directions, you still struggle.
If you aren’t using soft, fresh dates, you might want to think about soaking them for 15 to 20 minutes in hot water to help soften them. Dates that are a little soft combine well with other ingredients.
To make sure that the chocolate balls will be properly set, chill them in the fridge for at least 30 minutes prior to serving. If the dessert is tightly wrapped in an airtight container, it can be kept fresh in the refrigerator for ten days. For longer shelf life, you might freeze them.
Place the chocolate balls on a baking sheet after forming them into balls. Transfer the frozen balls to a freezer-safe container or a zip-top bag after they have solidified in the freezer.
Make sure they have completely defrosted in the refrigerator before serving. Consume throughout the course of three months. The natural sweetness of dates is just right in my opinion.
On the other hand, you might add maple syrup, agave syrup, coconut sugar, or any other sweetener you choose to sweeten it. You might have to halt the processing in order to scrape the date mixture off the sides of the food processor’s container.
The chocolate date energy balls can be frozen if you want them to last longer. They continue to be of high quality for three months at most.