Nutty and Nice Protein Balls :)

Nutty and Nice Protein Balls:         *makes 12-20

-food processor or blender

-small handful of cashews, walnuts, macadamian nuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, hemp hearts (measuring is not necessary, just grab a handful!) *any nuts you have on hand can substitute  

-1 tbsp of chia seeds

-1/4 cup of puffed rice

-1/2 cup of raisins

-4 dates (if using medjool dates, then separate the pits from flesh and chop finely, add later to dry ingredients as these are very sticky and will not blend well)

-1 tbsp of pea protein powder (or whatever protein powder you have/like)

-2 tsp of organic honey or agave nectar (use agave to make this recipe vegan)

-250g of peanut butter or any nut butter preferred (almond butter is nice)

-2 tbsp of protein powder in separate bowl for ball coating

Add all the nuts/seeds, puffed rice, raisins, dates (unless using medjool dates), 1 tbsp of protein powder, and chia seeds into a food processor or blender.  Blender until just fine, but still slightly chunky (not all the ingredients will blend finely, which gives this recipe its texture, *see picture below).

Add blender ingredients into mixing bowl.  Add the dates (if you used medjool dates), honey or agave nectar, and peanut/nut butter of choice, to the dry ingredients.  Using washed and dried hands, combine the mixture until everything is incorporated.  The mixture should be malleable, but not sticky (*see picture below).

Have the separated bowl of protein powder next to you.  Shape the protein balls….into balls 🙂 and coat with extra protein powder (so they do not stick together, *see picture below).

Give the coated balls a little tap to shake off excess powder and place into a container.  This recipe makes anywhere from 12 to 20 balls, depending on how big or small they are made. Refrigerate and your done!

I recently became a vegetarian and I noticed I was starting to crave protein. I made this recipe so that I could have a easy and convenient snack when I did get cravings, as well as, a quick energy boost before a workout.  They are gluten-free, vegetarian, raw, and can be made vegan.

These Nutty and Nice Protein Balls are great for a quick snack, can be made with kids, are convenient, healthy, and taste great!  Hope you enjoy this recipe.  Thanks, and be aware and eat with care 🙂