These chocolate no-bake vegan energy balls are the perfect grab n' go snack when you're in a hurry. Oh, and they're totally addictive.
These chocolate no-bake vegan energy balls are what I like to call a happy accident.
I'm always looking for ways to include my toddler in the kitchen - he loves to cook and loves to eat, but it's hard to keep his grabby hands off things that are either sharp or hot.
These snack balls are the perfect project for little hands!
What goes in Vegan Energy Balls
These balls start with dates as the base, and then get some almond flour and coconut flour to make them a little less sticky than the traditional date bars or balls.
(If you're looking for a more traditional date-based bar, try my Nutty Espresso Bars or my Sweet n' Spicy Bars!)
Chia seeds are added to provide protein, fiber, and omega-3s. Flaxseed meal is a rich source of healthy fat, antioxidants, and fiber, and gets added to the mix. The seeds contain protein, lignans, and the essential fatty acid.
The nutrients in flaxseed also may help lower the risk of diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.
Almond butter and cocoa powder give them the perfect chocolate & nut butter flavor, and round out the texture as well.
How to make vegan energy balls
These chocolate vegan energy balls could not be easier to make. Simply add all ingredients to the bowl of your food processor, and pulse until you have a "dough" of sorts that you can roll into balls.
If it's too dry and isn't holding together, pulse in water one tablespoon at a time until it holds.
How can little hands help?
Have a little one that likes to help you cook? These snack balls are the perfect project for little hands!
Measure out your ingredients ahead of time, and set out your food processor. Let your kid(s) pour all the ingredients into the food processor.
You can also pull open the dates, then let them pull out the pits and put the dates into the food processor once they are pitted.
Once all your ingredients are in the food processor, close it up and let them push the button to pulse! They love to watch everything break up.
I always make it clear from the start that we never ever ever put our hands IN the food processor - we drop things in and keep our hands out. I also never plug in the appliance until our ingredients are in and the lid is on, and we are ready to pulse!
It does take a bit of patience and practice working with little ones in the kitchen, but the skills they are learning from you are well worth the effort.
How long will these vegan energy balls last
I recommend storing these in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a week. They might last longer, but I have no idea because we can't keep them in our house any longer than that!
Looking for other snack ball recipes? Check out my paleo protein balls, cashew cranberry energy balls, and my almond butter chocolate chip snack balls!
Recipe
Chocolate No-Bake Vegan Energy Balls
These chocolate no-bake vegan energy balls are the perfect grab n' go snack when you're in a hurry. Oh, and they're totally addictive.
Ingredients
- 10 medjool dates, , pitted
- ½ cup almond flour
- ¼ cup almond butter
- 2 tablespoon chia seeds
- 2 tablespoon coconut flour
- 2 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon flaxmeal
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until mixture begins to stick together.
- If mixture appears dry, or won't hold together, add water 1 Tablespoon at a time, until the mixture will hold.
- Roll into balls using your hands. Place balls in the fridge for 10-15 minutes or until slightly firm before eating.
- Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to a week in a sealed container - if you can keep them around that long!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 18 Serving Size: 18 ballsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 90Saturated Fat: 1gSodium: 67mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 3gSugar: 9gProtein: 2g
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Samara
Can the coconut flour be substituted?
Jessica
Hi Samara - yes, you can sub something for coconut flour. It's a pretty dry flour, so I would use a flour with similar consistency. You can check out my post on alternative flours here to see how different flours exchange: https://www.paleoscaleo.com/all-purpose-flour-substitutes-how-to-use-them/