Chocolate and mint come together in a easy to make date energy ball. Helping you satisfy your sweet tooth in a healthy way, these mint chocolate chip energy balls only have 4 ingredients!
Fact. I suck at sticking to my dietary goals if I don't have snacks and breakfasts that are ready to grab and go in a millisecond. I am talking the second I am hungry I need to be able to reach in the fridge and have (mostly) something sweet to eat.
Are you like that too? What happens to you when you don't have something to eat on hand?
Because when I don't have something that is in my health plan to eat, I start stuffing whatever I find in my mouth. Then I feel like crap because I ate something with gluten or grains. Then I am cranky the rest of the day.
It can be a vicious cycle that absolutely no on in my house appreciates. They prefer a fed mom, not a mean cranky mom. So I work pretty hard at always having something fast and easy to eat.
Most days I need to be able to eat with one hand, while holding a baby, or showering for that matter and paleo friendly bars are usually one of my go to's.
But! Bars can be expensive, especially when I already have the random ingredients that make the bars in my pantry.
So today we have a better than a real Lara Bar, date energy ball recipe that I am SURE will be one of your go to, have a snack ready in a millisecond before I rip your head off, recipes.
Mint and chocolate are one of the BEST flavor combo's and since it is not appropriate to eat mint chocolate chip ice cream all day long, I chose to make an energy ball in that flavor. Plus, mint is really great for cognitive functioning. It can help you feel alert, and improve memory.
You see I am just trying to help you fight mom brain and eat something yummy at the same time.
I have made date bars before and I like them, but there is something way more fun eating them in a ball. You can just pop them in your mouth and go. Plus it always feels like you are eating more than when you just have one bar.
Easy to make
These mint chocolate chip date energy balls are very easy to make. It requires zero culinary skill as long as you know how to work your food processor. Oh and you do need to know how to measure, but I am confident you can do that.
So let's take a look at what you are going to need to get these date energy balls into your mouth asap.
When to eat date energy balls
Date energy balls are perfect for
- Snacking- great when you want something sweet but healthy
- Grab and go breakfasts
- Packed in lunch boxes
- Pre or post workout snacks
???? Ingredients for mint chocolate chip date energy balls
- Raw cashews
- Pitted Medjool dates
- Mint extract
- Chocolate chips (allergy friendly if paleo option like these)
- Hot water (just to help soften and make things sticky)
Just as an FYI if you have never bought dates before you may be wondering where in the world you will find them. Most grocery stores have a container of them in the produce section. If you don't have luck finding them in the produce section check the aisle with dried fruit. However I prefer the ones in the produce section. Or if you are on Thrive check these out.
???? Step by step instructions
- Prepare your ingredients. Cashews should be raw and unsalted. The dates should be pitted and soft. If your dates are hard, soften by placing in hot water for a few minutes, drain and dry after they soak.
- Measure and dump all of your ingredients except for the chocolate chips into a food processor or high powered blender like a Vita-mix.
- Chop and process until a smooth, even in texture and size, mixture forms. This may take up to 60 seconds or more depending on the power of your processor. The pieces should be very small, slightly bigger than the tip of pencil lead.
- After you have processed until the correct consistency, add your chocolate chips. Process/blend again until incorporated. Just coarsely chop the chocolate chips in the food processor, no need to pulverize like the rest of your mixture.
- Use a tablespoon to measure out the ball and roll in between your hands to make into a round ball. Place on a cookie tray or large plate and then cool in fridge until they are firm. Once they are firm you can store them in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
So friends, have you left a comment left telling me how much you can't wait to eat these? Please do I would love it.
Also have you signed up for sweet rustic bakes emails yet? Totes should, cause look what you get!
Thanks for stopping by, I seriously love you guys!
PrintMint Chocolate Chip Date Energy Balls
- Total Time: 6 minutes
- Yield: 20 balls 1x
Description
Chocolate and mint come together in a easy to make date energy ball. Helping you satisfy your sweet tooth in a healthy way, these mint chocolate chip energy balls only have 4 ingredients!
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw cashews
- 14 pitted medjool dates
- ¼ tsp mint extract
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- 1 tbs very hot water
Instructions
- Prepare your ingredients. Cashews should be raw and unsalted. The dates should be pitted and soft. If your dates are hard, soften by placing in hot water for a few minutes, drain and dry after they soak.
- Measure and dump all of your ingredients except for the chocolate chips into a food processor or high powered blender like a Vita-mix. Chop and process until a smooth, even in texture and size, mixture forms. This may take up to 60 seconds or more depending on the power of your processor. The pieces should be very small, slightly bigger than the tip of pencil lead.
- After you have processed until the correct consistency, add your chocolate chips. Process/blend again until incorporated. Just coarsely chop the chocolate chips in the food processor, no need to pulverize like the rest of your mixture.
- Use a tablespoon to measure out the ball and roll in between your hands to make into a round ball. Place on a cookie tray or large plate and then cool in fridge until they are firm.
- Once they are firm you can store them in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 6 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
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