Energy balls are traditionally made with a base of nuts, seeds, and dates, making them an easy, low ingredient, real food snack. Unfortunately, they don’t always stick with you for very long which is why I amped up the protein in this recipe with one of my favorite flavorless supplements: collagen!
Perhaps you’re used to spooning it into your smoothies, or blending it in your bulletproof coffee, but given that this protein-packed powder is tasteless, it is very versatile. It also comes with a whole host of health benefits from healing the gut, to increasing skin elasticity, to boosting metabolism.
But collagen isn’t the only superfood found in this bite-sized snack. Their other ingredients lend a hand in their nutritional profile as well
- Walnuts: known as one of the healthiest nuts with their brain-boosting powers, walnuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids. They also contain fiber and are a source of plant-based protein. The fat-fiber-protein trifecta found in walnuts means they are great for blood sugar balance. Walnuts are full of antioxidants, and a great source of manganese, copper, magnesium, Phosphorous, and Vitamin B6
- Macadamia nuts: with more of a creamy taste and texture compared to other nuts, macadamia nuts pack a nutritional punch in a tiny package. They are a good source of healthy fat and plant-based protein, while also providing essential vitamins and minerals: iron, vitamin A, B vitamins, manganese, magnesium, copper, and folate.
- Coconut butter: made from ground coconut meat, coconut butter is a great source of healthy fat, specifically medium chain triglycerides. MCTs are processed in the body differently than its short chain and long chain counterparts; instead of being stored as fat, MCTs bypass the liver and are immediately used as fuel. Coconut butter contains the anti-inflammatory chemical compound lauric acid and is known as an anti-bacterial agent as well
- Cacao butter: made from extracting the oil of the cocoa bean, it is pure healthy fat, and is known to support brain health, heart health, and immune system, and metabolism. Tahini: high in healthy fats, plant-based protein, iron, B vitamins, copper magnesium, manganese, zinc…to name a few!
White Chocolate Tahini Glazed Energy Balls
Ingredients
For the dough
- 1 cup walnuts
- 1 cup macadamia nuts
- 12 Medjool dates, pitted
- 2 tablespoons collagen peptides (optional)
- ¼ cup melted coconut oil
For the coating
- 1 cup coconut butter
- ¼ cup cacao butter
- 1 tablespoon runny tahini
Instructions
- Place walnuts and macadamia nuts in a food process and blend until a course, sand-like consistency. Add the dates and collagen peptides and blend again, slowly incorporating the melted coconut oil until a sticky dough is formed.
- Gather about 2 tablespoons of the dough (or that of desired size) and roll into balls. Place on a cutting board or parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Do this until all of the dough is used up. Place energy balls in the freezer for at least 30 minutes until cold.
- Meanwhile, make the white chocolate tahini coating. Place the coconut butter in a small saucepan over the lowest heat. Cook for about three minutes until it has softened and become creamy (not completely melted). Add the cacao butter and continue to heat about 4-5 more minutes, stirring frequently until cacao butter is just melted and incorporated into the coconut butter. Remove from heat.
- Transfer the mixture to a separate small bowl and add the tahini until combined.
- Remove the energy balls from the refrigerator and one by one, dip balls into the coating mixture. Place them back into the fridge for 10 minutes. Coat once more or until mixture is used up. Place in the refrigerator until coating has set. Store in the fridge.
