Written by: Elizabeth Elam, MS, RDN, LDN
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Makes: 30 balls
Ingredients
8 medjool dates, pits removed
1 cup uncooked old fashioned oatmeal
½ cup ground flax seed
⅓ cup unsweetened coconut flakes
⅓ cup mini chocolate chips
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup peanut butter (or other nut or seed butter)
Directions
- Fill a glass container with very hot water (heat about 2 cups in the microwave for about 2 minutes).
- Add dates to water and cover with plastic wrap. Set aside for 5-10 minutes (this softens the dates and makes them easier to puree).
- While dates soak, place oats into a small food processor and pulse a few times until they are more of a coarse powder consistency. Pour oats into a large bowl and add flax seed, coconut flakes, and chocolate chips. Set aside.
- Remove dates from water and place in the food processor.
- Add 1 tablespoon of the soaking water and pulse until smooth. Scrape down the sides as necessary and add additional water to thin the paste, if desired.
- Add date paste, vanilla extract and peanut butter to the dry mixture.
- Stir to combine all the ingredients.
- Refrigerate dough for about 15 minutes if possible (makes the dough easier to work with).
- Form dough into tablespoon-size balls.
- Refrigerate balls in an air tight container.
Nutritional Information:
Serving Size: 1 ball
Calories: 74, Fat: 4g, Protein: 2g, Carbohydrates: 8g, Fiber: 2g, Sodium: 1mg
Nutrition Tip: These oat date energy balls are the perfect sweet bite. I like to enjoy one after a meal if I want something subtly sweet, or I grab a few for a quick energy boost before a long run. I like to think of them as healthy little cookies. The flax seed, oats, and dates provide a heart healthy dose of whole grains, healthy fats, and fiber! They will keep in the fridge for about 1-2 weeks and the freezer for 4-6 months. Enjoy!
Adapted from: https://www.dinner-mom.com/energy-balls-medjool-dates-recipe/