This is the ideal snack when your sweet tooth needs something fast, but you also want the staying power of healthy fats and protein! Bursting with hemp hearts, these nut-free chocolate protein balls are nutritional powerhouses filled with protein, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, magnesium, and more. Just like your favorite little black dress, they can be dressed up or down depending on your mood. I love rolling them in hemp hearts, shredded coconut or cocoa powder. For an extra luxurious energy ball, I simply dip the balls in melted chocolate and then chill them until the coating is firm. Recipe adapted from the Raw Chocolate Truffles in The Oh She Glows Cookbook Bonus Bundle.

INGREDIENTS

For the balls:

• 1 cup lightly packed pitted Medjool dates*

• 6 tbls hemp hearts

• 3 tbls unsweetened cocoa powder or raw cacao powder

• 2 tbls shredded unsweetened coconut

• 1 tbls virgin coconut oil

• ¼ tsp fine sea salt

• 3 tbls chopped dark chocolate (optional)

• 1 to 3 tsp water, if needed

Topping Options:

• Shredded coconut

• Hemp hearts

• Unsweetened cocoa powder or raw cacao powder

• Melted dark chocolate

DIRECTIONS

1. Place the pitted dates in a food processor and process until a ball forms.

2. Add the remaining ingredients to the processor (hemp hearts, cocoa/cacao powder, coconut, coconut oil, salt, and chocolate, if using) and process until thoroughly combined and almost smooth. The dough should be sticky and shouldn’t be crumbly when you form a ball. If it’s not sticky enough, add 1 to 3 teaspoons of water a bit at a time, processing after each addition.

3. Line a plate with parchment paper. Lightly wetting your hands if needed. shape the dough into balls and place them on the lined plate. Roll each ball into your desired topping(s) until completely coated (if needed, lightly wet the ball before rolling so the toppings stick).

4. Freeze the balls for 20 minutes until firm or simply enjoy right away!

5. Store the leftovers in the fridge or freezer for a quick burst of energy whenever you need one(seriously, that would be all the time in this house!). The balls will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for a week and in the freezer for 4 to 8 weeks.

TIP:

*If your dates are bone dry, soak them in boiled water for 15 minutes and then drain very well. Use an old towel to press out the excess water. If the “dough” is too sticky to shape, add some shredded coconut and process again.

For a fun twist, try changing up the flavors by adding peppermint or orange extract!

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Serving size 1 to 6 large balls

Calories 1790

Total Fat 8g

Saturated Fat 4g

Sodium 85mg

Total Carbs 23g

Fiber 4g

Sugar 18g

Protein 4g

Nutritional info does not include the optional dark chocolate or toppings. If making 12 small balls instead of 6 large balls, the nutritional info is as follows for 1 of 12 balls: 85 cals, 4g fat, 2g sat fat, 43mg sodium, 11.5g carbs, 2g fiber, 9g sugar, 2g protein.

Nutrition data is approximate and is for informational purposes only.