Chocolate Date Protein Balls

These Chocolate Date Protein Balls are quick and easy to make with a food processor in under 15 minutes.  They are sweet, with lots of chocolate flavour, full of fibre  and protein which means they are the perfect healthy snack.

Recipe Highlights

• Subtle chewy texture with a natural sweetness like my Coconut Protein Balls
• Simple ingredients and they'll keep for 7 days in the fridge
• Easy to add a double hit of protein
• Make 10 big protein balls, or 20 smaller bite sized balls
• They will keep you fuller for longer, thanks to all the fibre
• Perfect with your morning coffee
• Make a big batch and freeze them for upto 6 weeks
• Easy to customize with additional flavours like coffee, more chocolate, or even orange

Ingredients

Protein Balls and Energy Balls are by far one of my favourite things to make, and I make them every week without fail.  Having them on hand means I'm not tempted to reach for other unhealthier options.

Making protein balls with protein powder is an easier way to boost the protein factor, but sometimes I just want protein balls without protein powder or protein pancakes to start the day right.

 Another way to make sure you're your date protein balls aren't dry and crumbly like the ones you buy pre packaged is to use medjool dates.  This will help them to bind together and create a lovely natural caramel like sweetness without the need for additional sweeteners.  Medjool dates also have loads of fibre which helps to make the protein balls extra filling. Alternatively deglet noor dates can be used.

Ingredient Notes

• Oats:  Rolled oats are what I use, however instant quick oats work fine as well.
• Dates:  medjool dates are the best as they are sweet and have a caramel like flavour.  The skin is also much softer than other kinds of dates so it blitzes up nicely.  If using another kind of dates, make sure they are soft before adding to the food processor so they blitz up into the mixture.
• Walnuts:  Plain or toasted walnuts work fine, and can be substituted with pecans, macadamias or hazelnuts.  If using almonds you may need extra moisture as this is a drier nut than the others
• Protein Powder:  I use a Whey Protein Isolate powder that I by from my local store.  In reality any chocolate protein powder will work and its really a matter of personal preference.
• Cocoa Powder:  this adds a rich chocolate taste to the protein balls.  Make sure to use unsweetened cocoa power as there is already plenty of sweetness from the dates.  Unsweetened cocoa powder is generally in the health food aisle of supermarkets.
• Peanut Butter:  Using a natural peanut butter will provide extra flavour and stickiness to the protein balls.  Note that some natural peanut butters tend to be creamier than others which can make the protein ball mixture a bit too moist.  If this happens see tips below to dry it out to get to the perfect crumb consistency.
• Water:  this helps to reach the ideal consistency so that the mixture isn't to dry and crumbly.  Instead of water, you could use espresso or instant coffee dissolved in water which would add a subtle coffee flavour to the balls

Perfect post workout snack, breakfast when you're on the run, and healthy snacking at home or the office and kids lunchboxes.

How To Make

This is basically a 3 step recipe and your food processor does just about all the work.

1. Soften Dates:  Microwave dates in  a microwave safe bowl for 30 seconds to soften.
2. Blitz:  Add all ingredients to a large food processor (mine is an 8 cup) and blitz on high until a moist and sticky crumb is formed
3. Roll into balls:  Carefully remove the blade from the food processor.  Roll mixture into 10 evenly sized balls

4. Store:  Place into a airtight container with lid in fridge for one week.  Or freeze for upto 3 months

Recipe Tips

• Dates:  If the dates are already soft and pliable from sitting on the counter, you can skip microwaving them.  If however they have been in the fridge and are firm, I highly recommend microwaving to soften them as this will also be "kinder" on your food processor
• Mixture too Dry? Protein powder and Cocoa Powder have a tendency to dry out the mixture and different brands may be more "drying" than others.  If you notice the mixture is too dry, add a little water, one table spoon at a time, then reblitz.  Repeat until you can clump the mixture in your fingers without it crumbling away.
• Protein Date Balls too Moist?  An easy remedy is to add additional protein powder or cocoa powder depending on your preferences.  Add 1 tablespoon at a time, then reblitz.  Repeat until you can clump the mixture in your fingers without it sticking.
• Protein Boost:  Instead of ¼ cup unsweetened Cocoa Powder you could add additional chocolate protein powder, although the cocoa powder does give these balls a delicious and rich chocolate flavour, probably moreso than if you used only chocolate protein powder.

Variation and Customisations

• A hint of coffee flavour:  Replace water with instant coffee dissolved in water
• Nut butters: Change peanut butter to almond butter
• Spice:  Add ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, or even some sea salt
• More Chocolate:  replace the natural peanut butter with sugar free chocolate spread
• Vanilla:  add ½ teaspoon of vanilla essence
• Nut Free:  Replace nuts with sunflower seeds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, or additional oats

These energy bites are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth with all natural ingredients. They're the perfect bite, easy to make and having a small food processor is totally worth the investment when you can make healthy and nutritious breakfast and snack recipes with such little effort, and without all the usual added sugars in store bought snacks.