walnuts Archives • A Sweet Pea Chef

There are snacks that power you up, taste like real desserts, and are clean to the core. Chocolate Energy Balls fit the bill perfectly! You'll learn how to make them in this post. Y'all ever have one of those days where you put on socks that don't match, the kids are everywhere, and you forgot you said yes to a playdate in a few hours? For mental health's sake, you want to squeeze in a quick run outside. But you're hungry...and have no time to whip up even a quick protein shake. You're THIS close to ditching your workout because there's nothing you can grab for a quick energy boost. Honestly, you want to nap at this point. Yeah, I've been there. It's one of those days. Oh, and they will come again. But next time, however, you'll be prepared. How so? Well, you'll be equipped with this Chocolate Energy Balls (with a dreamy caramel sauce) recipe. I like to meal prep them on Sundays when I know I have a busy week ahead. So even if you have one of those days, at least you'll have something - heavenly and energizing - to snack on. You've got this. Read on further to learn how to make them. A snack so good, you'll forget you were stressed. So shall we call them amazeballs? Sorry, I just had to. Let's go! Are Energy Balls Good For You? Good question. As with anything clean-eating, it’s all about eating whole, nutrient-dense foods while avoiding processed or refined stuff. Energy balls are good for you, depending on where you get them and what’s inside. If you’re buying them from the store, make sure to check the labels and stay away from brands with refined sugar and excess saturated fat. Look for natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey and other good-for-you ingredients such as almond butter or other nut butters (minus the sugar, of course). This recipe is gluten-free and uses quality, wholesome ingredients. These balls are a healthy and satiating combo of healthy carbs and fats, protein, and lots of fiber. Here are some of the healthy ingredients I’ve included in these energy balls: Dates (Pitted): Dates are super healthy and an excellent sub for “bad sugar.” That’s why I usually choose them for the base of my energy ball recipes. They have a bit of protein and lots of fiber. They also contain potassium and magnesium, iron, copper, manganese, and Vitamin B6. Medjool dates are an excellent choice as they give just the right amount of moisture. Raw Walnuts: They’re known to be good for the brain, heart, and gut. Walnuts have antioxidants, nutrients, minerals, and healthy fats. They’re also a good plant source of Omega-3s, so this is a perfect addition to boost the benefits of your energy balls! Those who make these often may go for variations like pecans or almonds. Dark Cocoa Powder: Dark chocolate is always a good source of antioxidants. They contain polyphenols that help with blood sugar levels, reducing cholesterol and the risk of heart diseases. Make sure you buy unsweetened cocoa powder, though! Vanilla Extract: Another great sub for sugar, vanilla also contains antioxidants! Sea Salt: This helps balance the sweetness in your energy balls. Sea salt has the perfect texture too, for lots of dishes and sweets. Clean Caramel Sauce: This recipe was a long time in the making! Thanks to Dustin, who inspired me to make a clean version. I used it with coconut sugar to skip the refined sugar. Try it with apples, lattes, cookies, or ice cream! How Do You Coat Energy Balls With Chocolate? This recipe already contains chocolate on the inside. But If you do choose to coat them with extra chocolate, we're of the same mind! Here's what you'll do... After the energy balls are assembled, line them up on a baking sheet with parchment paper. Freeze them until firm (25-30 minutes). Once solid, dip each ball into melted semi-sweet chocolate chips (with a little coconut oil if you want), shake off the excess and place them back on the baking sheet. Melted dark chocolate chips are fabulous as a coating too. With this recipe, however, I highly recommend drizzling them with my dreamy caramel sauce to complete the ooey-gooey brownie bite experience. Yummy! Are Protein Balls Good For Losing Weight? Protein balls are nutrient-dense, energy-filled healthy snacks designed to help you stay away from grabbing just anything when you’re hungry. So yes, they’re great for losing weight when made with clean and healthy ingredients. The high protein content is excellent for building lean muscle mass, which ultimately helps in fat burning. In this recipe, each ball contains around 96 calories per serving. So enjoy! Just make sure to consume them in moderation. Can You Eat Energy Balls Every Day? Yes, you can eat energy balls every single day. But again, make sure to consume in moderation. While the ingredients are healthy, the calories can add up (as with anything we eat). What's great about energy balls is you can enjoy them before or after a workout, between meals, or in the afternoon (when you're most prone to snacking and are looking for a sugar boost). They're the perfect high vibe snack you can reach for daily. As long as you're also eating a balanced and nutritious diet, you're golden! Want more high-protein snack ideas? Check out this post! What Can I Use Instead Of Dates In Energy Balls? You can substitute dried apricots, raisins, or figs in place of dates for your energy balls. They’re also healthy and pack in their own mix of nutrients and benefits. How To Make Chocolate Energy Balls? Easy peasy! I use my food processor but you can also use a heavy-duty kitchen blender. Just add all your ingredients (dates, walnuts, dark cocoa powder, vanilla extract, sea salt) to the food processor and blend until it starts to stick to itself. The dates (or other dried fruits I recommended) help with the stickiness. They also add more flavor so, yay! If your dates happen to be super dry and crumbly, soak them in warm water for a bit before using them so they soften up. Grab a small handful of the mixture and then roll it into a ball! Repeat, then pop them in the fridge for about 30 minutes to an hour until solid. When they’re done, drizzle with the awesome caramel sauce and sprinkle with sea salt. Ahhh, perfection. The best treat EVER. How To Store Chocolate Energy Balls? These energy balls can be stored in an airtight container for about a week. The whole fam loves them and we can finish them in one to two days. So personally, I’ve never had to worry about storing them for long. Let's just say they've never made it to the freezer! More Energizing Snacks Recipes Looking to try more super healthy and amazingly delish snacks? Can I suggest my peanut butter protein balls? They are poppable chocolate protein balls that satisfy a sweet tooth. Chia seeds and rolled oats add lots of extra goodness, too! The recipe, called No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls, is right up there on the deliciousness scale with these Chocolate Energy Balls. Below are more tasty and healthy snack recipes. Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Edible Cookie Dough Bites Dark Chocolate Cherry Energy Bites Flaxseed Apricot Bars Blueberry Protein Shake | Thick & Refreshing Easy Paleo 7 Layer Bars This post contains affiliate links for products I use regularly and highly recommend. Chocolate Energy Balls | With Dreamy Caramel Sauce These chocolate brownie energy balls are so rich, so chocolatey, and so delicious, you’re not even gonna believe they’re actually good for you! 1 cup dates (pitted)1 cup raw walnuts1/4 cup dark cocoa powder1/2 tsp vanilla extract1/4 tsp sea saltoptional: clean caramel sauce and coarse sea salt for topping In the bowl of a food processor, combine the pitted dates, raw walnuts, dark cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and sea salt.Process until the mixture is fully broken down and evenly mixed together.Grab a small handful of the mixture and roll into a ball using your hands.Repeat with the remaining mixture and then place in the fridge for about 30 minutes to an hour to solidify.To take these energy balls to the next level, I also like to drizzle my clean coconut sugar caramel sauce over the top of these brownie energy balls and then top with a little coarse sea salt. 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