Superfood Energy Balls

These are perfect little snack bites to stock up on and save for activity packed days or just a little sweet but nutrient dense treat anytime. I love to have these around for a pre or post workout snack, to bring on long runs or hikes when quick energy is needed! You can add so many different things to them and come up with fun combinations of flavours or just keep them simple which is just as tasty!  

Base Ingredients:

1 + 1/2 cup raw unsalted nuts (either almonds, cashews, peanuts, walnuts or a mixture of any)
1 cup pitted dates (pre soaked in water and drained if necessary - this I recommend if your food processor is not that powerful)

Optional Additions:
feel free to keep it simple and stick to the base ingredients or add as many of these as you like

2-4 tbsp cacao powder for chocolate flavour - provides additional iron and magnesium
1⁄2 tsp vanilla bean powder or vanilla extract for vanilla flavour
2 tsp cinnamon - blood sugar lowering and stabalizing properties
2 tbsp chia seeds or hemp hearts - additional protein, EFA’s and fibre
2 scoops protein powder of your preference for additional protein
2 tbsp coconut oil for additional energy and healthy fat
2 tbsp oatmeal or coconut flour - add if dough is too sticky or wet to roll
2 tbsp maca root powder for hormonal balancing benefits
1/4 - 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut added to the dough or for coating the outside
2- 3 tbsp: dark chocolate chips, unsweetened dried fruit such as cranberries, tart cherries, dried apples, apricots or figs
+ any thing else your heart desires..

To Assemble:

1. Add nuts to a food processor and pulse until finely chopped, add dates and any other remaining ingredients you chose, blend until well combined, texture will be a little sticky

2. Roll dough into bite sized balls, roll balls in shredded coconut to cover (optional)
You may instead press dough into a pan lined with parchment paper and cut into small squares.

3. Store your goodies in a sealed container in fridge or freezer.

Notes

If your dough is very sticky / wet roll balls in shredded coconut, chia seeds or hemp seeds before refrigerating. Or you can add in more powder or oatmeal by the tablespoon to thicken it.

Feel free to double the recipe and freeze up to 2 months

I recommend playing with the endless ingredient and flavour options and get creative!

Some successful combinations I have tried include: 
peanut butter cacao
lemon coconut cashew
cinnamon coconut vanilla
cacao coconut
cacao and tart cherry
cinnamon almond with dried apples