These are a great snack.
With 2 teenage boys that are constantly hungry as they are so busy with school and sport and a bit more sport whilst growing rapidly I often have to find healthy ways to fill them.

These balls are filled with protein (almonds and chia seeds) along with some good fat (coconut oil) and yet no added sugar.

Now the recipe below was for 24 balls that i made for recent cooking class – I don’t usually make that many at a time.

Protein balls

100g almond meal
100g macadamia meal
3 fresh dates
30g sunflower seeds
20g chia seeds
2 tblsp tahini
2 tblsp coconut oil
1 tblsp cacao powder
1 tsp vanilla extract

A little extra seeds and powder for coating balls. You can mix and match too – sesame seeds, cacao, chia seeds.

Makes 24 balls.

Blend all ingredients except cacao powder in food processor. You can add a little water if necessary to moisten mixture.
Divide mixture equally into 2 bowls.
To one bowl add vanilla extract, and mix.
To the other bowl add cacao powder, and mix through.
In a third bowl place a sprinkle of seeds.

With wet hands roll approximately 1 tsp of vanilla mixture into a ball. Then toss into seeds and coat. Continue to you have used all the mixture up – should make around 12 balls.

Now with cacao mixture roll into similar size balls and toss with mix of cacao powder and chia seeds.

Cover and place in fridge for a couple of hours to ‘set.’

*Now these can be varied many ways – add goji berries, use different nuts and seeds – I usually use what I have available at the time.