Energy Packed Power Balls: Recipe and Video

Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Recipes, Snacks

We call these “Power Balls” because they pack a powerful nutritional punch! If you are looking for an easy snack that is healthy, satisfying, and delicious, then stop right here. Because these things are all of that, and so good it’s ridiculous.

What we also love about them is that they are so simple to make, require no cooking or baking, and are loaded with nutrients and antioxidants that are great for you (and your kids!).

First, it’s been a while since I’ve posted here, so to fill you in: Penelope is still in treatment and is doing really well. Her treatment is going good, and though we’ve had our ups and downs, we are so grateful. She is set to finish her treatment in August, which is hard to believe after almost two straight years at this point! She is a total trooper. (If you missed that, you can read more here.)

We’ve been cooking and baking a lot but between her treatments, homeschooling both kids and managing everything else I haven’t been posting a ton. The priority in our house has always been nutritious foods, and even more now on foods that will help P’s body through her treatment (and benefit all of us as well). I’m always trying to find ingredients that offer the most nutritious “bang for your buck” that the kids will like, and that’s how these power balls were born.

The Ingredients

Before we get to the recipe, here’s some info about the all-star ingredients these babies are loaded with:

Dates, which have a natural sweetness making the perfect consistency for power balls. They also offer a significant amount of fiber and antioxidants, along with iron, potassium, B vitamins, copper, and magnesium.
Cashews, which are rich in fiber, healthy fats, and plant protein, and contain carotenoids and polyphenols.
Flaxseed, which contains fiber, protein, thiamine, copper, magnesium, and selenium. And it’s rich in omega 3s.
Pumpkin seeds, which are a great source of magnesium, protein, zinc, and iron.
Tahini (my personal favorite), which is a good source of iron, potassium, and calcium.
Cacao, which contains potassium, iron, and magnesium, most importantly in its raw form.
Cardamom, which is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and can help with digestion.
Dark chocolate, which is packed with fiber and antioxidants, and has been shown to improve blood flow and even strengthen your memory! (Just make sure you are buying over 72% cacao, and that it isn’t loaded with sugars and other additives.)

Now, onto the recipe!

Energy-Packed Power Balls

Servings: 16 balls
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Assembly time: 10 minutes (no cook!)

Ingredients:

12 Medjool Dates (pits removed)
1/2 cup raw cashews
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup ground flax seeds
1/4 cup raw tahini
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (I use these), roughly chopped (optional)
2 tablespoons raw cacao powder (optional, for dusting)

Directions:

Place all ingredients into the food processor except for chocolate chips and raw cacao powder (if using). Process on high for 30 seconds until ingredients are chopped into small bits and can stick together easily. (You can check with your hands, and if it needs more time process for an additional 15-30 seconds.)

If using chocolate chips, remove blade from processor and add chips. Mix together with a spatula.

Using your hands, assemble mix into golf ball-sized bites.

If using cacao, roll each ball gently in the cacao to give it a light coating. (We did half coated with cacao, half without cacao.)