We all have our moments and times when our energies hit rock bottom throughout a typical working day. The infamous energy crashes, especially during the afternoon are actually pretty common. Before resorting to store-bought solutions like energy drinks or protein bars, which are often not healthy as they appear to be, here are three energy ball recipes you can make your own fast and with up to 5 ingredients. And not only that, they taste delicious too…
Recipe No. 1: Chocolate Peanut Butter Mini Balls
If you are a fan of the chocolate and peanut butter combo (snickers, anyone??), you will love this healthier alternative to the famous chocolate or ordinary protein bars. To make these delicious energy bites, you will need to combine ½ cup of almond or light peanut butter, ¼ cup of agave syrup, 1 cup of rolled oats, 1 tbsp of vanilla extract, and 3 tbsp of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Blend all this together till you end up with a thick, cookie batter-like texture that you can shape with your hands and shape into small balls the size of a mini golf ball. That’s it--no food processors or any other equipment necessary. Chill ideally for 30 minutes to set the mixture before serving, especially if the room temperature is warmer than average.
Recipe No 2: Cranberry Orange Energy Balls
In case you like more fruity and refined flavors when eating sweets, this tangy and rich cranberry orange energy balls will satisfy you whilst giving you an energy boost. These measure 60 calories per ball and you can keep any leftovers in the fridge. To make these, combine 1 ½ of dates roughly cut, ½ cup of dried berries, ¼ cup of vanilla flavored protein powder, 1 tsp of orange zest, and 3 tbsp of melted coconut oil in a food processor (blend the dry ingredients first and add the coconut oil last). If the mixture is too dry or thick, try adding more coconut oil till you reach your desired consistency. Take the mixture and form into small balls with a spoon and your hands before serving.
Recipe No. 3: Pumpkin Cinnamon Raisin Bites
This autumn-inspired pumpkin cinnamon raisin bite recipe will pleasantly tickle your nose and taste buds due to its strong flavor and characteristic aroma. And the best part is, each ball is under 20 calories each so feel free to devour as much as 6 balls for an afternoon snack that will keep you full and energized. To make these delicious healthy bites, combine in a food processor 1 cup of raisins, 1 cup of crushed/chopped almonds, ¾ of mashed pumpkin, 1 tsp of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice mix, and a 5-6 tbsp of coconut flour. You should end up with a semi-thick cookie dough-like texture. If you find it too liquidy, you can more flour or dry ingredients to thicken it up. Transfer the mixture into a bowl and shape into small balls. Serve as it is or keep in the fridge for up to a week.
And if these get you a tad thirsty, just pair them up with a glass of water or a health-boosting drink like our detox tea chilled so you don’t end up with extra calories.