Dates & Almonds Energy Balls

A classic in the energy ball category are balls made from date paste with roasted nuts.

Throughout my career, I've concocted all sorts of versions of this recipe depending on the ingredients I had and the kitchen equipment available.

Dates & Almonds Energy Balls

For the date paste

Depending on the texture of the dates, I like to soak them in boiling water for a few minutes to soften them. You can then blend them with a hand blender, food processor, or by hand!

For the nuts

Nothing beats the taste of roasted nuts! A few minutes in the oven and you're done! (Give them time to cool before mixing them in.)

When I don't have a food processor, I simply chop roughly with a knife. (like pictured above)

Ingredients

• 1 cup pitted Medjool dates, softened in water

• 3/4 cup crushed almonds (toasted in the oven for 12 minutes at 300°F)

• 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder (optional - but who can live without chocolate?😋)

• A pinch of salt

Put everything in a blender and form small balls.

If the texture is sticky (depending on your date paste), coat your balls with coconut flakes, more almonds or crushed hazelnuts.

I store them in a plastic container in the fridge to harden them before wrapping them individually before my bike ride!

The variants

Use your imagination! You can swap almonds for cashews, add hemp seeds, coconut, vanilla, or spices!

Enjoy your ride!