Chocolate peanut energy balls

Looking for an afternoon energy boost? Or fancy something sweet with your mid-morning cuppa?

Our chocolate peanut energy balls are the perfect, bite-size treat for when your sweet tooth needs some attention, or if you need a snack pre or post-workout.

Makes 25 small balls

Ingredients

• 75g oats
• 100g pitted dates
• 2 tbsp crunchy peanut butter
• 2 tbsp cacao powder (or cocoa powder)
• 3 tbsp chia seeds

Optional: desiccated coconut for coating

The great thing about energy balls is that you can make them to suit your own taste. You can swap the cacao powder for chocolate protein powder, or if you’re not keen on crunchy nut butter, pick smooth! You don’t need to be an expert chef to make these, fortunately, the method is just as simple as the list of ingredients.

Method

Add the oats, dates, peanut butter and cacao powder into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth. If the dates are quite dry, you may need to add some water. Add a tablespoon at a time until you have a thick, smooth consistency.

Here is where you can add any extra ingredients. If you fancy an extra chew, add some dried fruit, if you want more of a crunch, add a couple of nuts and blend.

Next, add the chia seeds and mix with a spoon. The chia seeds give a good crunch if not blended, so we like to keep them whole.

With damp hands, take the mixture and shape into small balls. Roll in the desiccated coconut, or your desired coating.

Put in the fridge for 15 minutes and you’re good to go!

Warning! You will want to eat them all at once, so take out one (or two) to enjoy with your cup of tea, then put the rest in Tupperware, ready for the rest of the week.