These protein energy bites are perfect for snacking, fueling up before a workout, or replenishing after a workout. They are easy to naturally make vegan and gluten-free. 
energy balls recipe
delicious homemade energy protein balls

Fall seems to be training season in our household. Yummy Hubby is back to regular 50+ mile bike rides as he trains for the Santa Barbara Century Ride, the kids start fall sports, and I am training for my third half-marathon in November. With all of that energy being used up, it’s important to put quality fuel back in. So today I made a batch of energy balls that have protein from almond butter and a little natural sugar, but no refined sugar – as per usual. These protein balls are addicting! They are sweet, crunchy, a little salty, and super satisfying. Keep a batch of these energy bites in  your refrigerator for when you need a pick-me-up. Here’s how to make them, it’s easy, I promise.

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Whirl together a date (if you don’t happen to have any dates, no worries, just add a tad more honey), almond butter, honey, and coconut oil. Then stir in crispy brown rice cereal. I found one at our local natural foods store that was sprouted brown rice and was not sweetened. protein-balls-peanut-butter//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js
Roll the mixture into balls. I like to roll them around with some superfoods: cacao powder and hemp seeds are my favorite. The kids like these best plain. How you coat the energy balls is completely up to you! homemade-protein-balls//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js
Ta da! Set them on a cookie sheet and pop in the freezer for 15 minutes until firm. You can keep them in the freezer or refrigerator. If you’re taking them on long cycling trips like YH does, keeping them in the freezer is best.

protein balls recipe
These protein energy balls are so tasty and won’t last long. 

Almond Energy Balls
PRINTER FRIENDLY RECIPE


Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes
Yield: about 18 balls
Ingredients

  • 1 date, pitted*
  • 1 cup almond butter
  • 1/4 cup honey (maple syrup if vegan)
  • 1/8 teaspoon sea salt if using unsalted almond butter
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1 cup crispy brown rice cereal
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cacao powder
  • 2 tablespoons hemp hearts

Cooking Directions

  1. In a food processor, pulse date until finely chopped. Add almond butter, honey, salt if using, and coconut oil and blend until well combined.
  2. Transfer to a medium bowl and stir in crispy rice cereal with a rubber spatula until combined. Don’t worry about breaking up the cereal.
  3. Place cacao and hemp into individual small bowls. Roll almond butter mixture into heaping 1/2 tablespoon balls. Roll in cacao and/or hemp. Place on a cookie sheet and freeze for 15 minutes.
  4. Store energy balls in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
*If you don’t have any dates on hand, you can simply increase the honey slightly until everything sticks together and is sweetened to your taste. 
Ingredients I used for this recipe: 

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