Energy balls are a fast and easy way to combine simple ingredients to create a portable, low-maintenance, nutrient dense and energy dense snack. Soft Medjool dates and nut butter provide a lot of flavor and bind all the drier ingredients together. Dried apple lightens them up, pecans add some buttery crunch, oats make them more substantial and the vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg give some depth of flavor and make them taste more complicated to make than they are. Energy balls can be paired with some fresh fruit and/or yogurt or oatmeal for a healthy breakfast or used on their own for snacks or dessert. They are a good source of carbs, protein, healthy unsaturated fats, fiber and several minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. This balanced nutritional profile makes them perfect for before or after working out, and since they are easily digested they are also a good option for mid-exercise, such as on a long hike where sustenance is needed along the way.
- 1½ cup pecans, chopped finely
- 1 cup medjool dates, pitted and chopped finely (around 14)
- ½ cup cashew butter
- ½ cup dried apple, chopped finely
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- Mix together the pecans and dates in a bowl until the dates start to break down and it all comes together to form a paste; a heavy wooden spoon or kneading motion by hand works best. Add in all the other ingredients and continue to mix until everything is evenly distributed. Take 2 packed tablespoons of the dough at a time and roll into balls between both palms. Store in an airtight container in the pantry for up to a couple weeks or in the fridge for up to a couple months.
