Raw Energy Balls!

Raw Energy Balls!
(Vegan ~ Raw ~ Gluten-Free ~ Dairy-Free ~ Soy-Free)

Makes: 13
Total Time: 10-15 minutes to prep (plus overnight soaking and 30 minutes refrigeration)
Difficulty: Easy
Author: Vegan Rescue/Jessica Williams

Raw Energy Balls! There comes a time or two or too many in our busy lives that we need a jolt, boost or uppercut of energy. This week has been one of those times for me. Between work schedules, our two dogs and the kids back to school from winter break we can all use a little pick me up. So, I popped an energy ball for quick morning boost. This would also be great before a workout. This week I have redirected my focus towards more on raw and fresh ingredients. Despite being vegan, we too felt the heaviness of all the holiday fare, not to mention, the exhaustion of all the hustle and bustle. This recipe makes a baker’s dozen, so if you can’t wait like me, pop one in and call it a dozen! Each ball is about 140 calories and high in fiber. Enjoy!

Recipe

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup Organic Roasted Unsalted Peanuts, divided
1/2 Cup Raw Almonds (soaked, rinsed and drained)
1/2 Cup Organic Pumpkin Seeds (soaked, rinsed and drained)
1 Tbsp Pure Coconut Oil
1 Tbsp Chia Seeds
1 1/2 Tbsp Hemp Seeds
2 Tsp Maca Powder
1 Tbsp (100%) Cocoa Powder Unsweetened
5 Pieces of Organic Turkish Apricots
6 Pieces of Organic Medjool Dates, pitted
1/4 Cup Organic Maple Syrup
1 Tsp Salt, optional

Directions:

-Soak the almonds, pumpkin seeds and 1/4 cup of the peanuts for about eight hours or overnight. You can use fresh filtered water, if available. Also, if using the salt, you can add the teaspoon of salt when soaking.
(Note: I soak only half of the peanuts and add the remaining during the final step. I do this because it adds that familiar peanutty taste and texture. However, you can soak all of the peanuts during the initial step for nutritional purposes, if you prefer)

-Next, drain and rinse the soaked nuts/seeds.

–

-In a food processor, add the soaked nuts/seeds, coconut oil, chia seeds; hemp seeds, maca powder, and cocoa powder. Pulse for about 30 seconds.
-Add the Medjool dates and Turkish apricots then pulse for another 30 seconds.
-Finally, add the remaining 1/4 cup of peanuts (if divided) and maple syrup. Pulse until all ingredients have been incorporated this will form a ball or a paste-like mixture.

-With wet hands grab about 1 1/2 tablespoons or so, of mixture and roll into 1-inch balls.
-Place the Raw Energy Balls on cookie sheet lined with parchment/wax paper.

-Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Soaking/Suggestions:

If I’m preparing this on the weekend, I’ll put the seeds/nuts to soak the night before. Then, I’ll prepare the recipe the next morning. If it’s the weekday, I’ll place them to soak in the morning before I leave for work. So, then I can prepare the recipe after work. If your initial reaction to soaking is like mine was, you might think it sounds very time consuming. This is especially true for a quick 10-minute recipe. However, it’s not so bad. You can plan ahead and use the above tips, which works great for me.
There have been a few situations where I forgot to soak and really needed these. So, if you are in a pinch, I have made this recipe after soaking for two hours to at least softened them.

Note: Soaking seeds/nuts improves the nutritional value – the vitamins, proteins and allows for better digestion. It also removes anti-nutrients/toxins. Place nuts/seeds in fresh/filtered water, I use about a 2:1 ratio, and typically add a teaspoon of salt.

Store in a sealed container – I like to keep them nestled in the parchment paper. They should remain fresh for 7 days; they typically don’t last that long at home though.