Quick Energy Balls

Recently, I snuck treats in to the movie theatre. I know, total badass. I was meeting friends at the Wednesday night screening of the Mariposa Arts Theatre night and had a ridiculous craving for something sweet. Since my Skittles days are a thing of the past, my options were rather limited. Knowing I only had a few minutes to make something, I tossed a few fail-safe ingredients in to the food processor and hoped for the best. The base of these balls is dates, which is a quick source of energy.

Because they take mere minutes to make, they’re quick to make as well….so that explains the rather catchy name of “quick energy balls”. Clever indeed! Anyway, Janie liked them, or maybe she was just being nice….not sure.

I made them again on Saturday, and even second time around, we enjoyed them. Seriously, they only take minutes to make. I like that you can just dump everything in to your food processor and pulse until everything is well incorporated. Then roll them in hemp hearts and you have a nice, nutritious and yummy treat!

Quick Energy Balls

1/2 cup dates
1/4 cup peanut butter – natural please
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 – 1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
1 tablespoon water
2 tablespoons of hemp hearts – for rolling balls

Pulse dates, peanut butter, coconut, salt and vanilla. Add water and chocolate chips and pulse until well combined and mixture easily holds together when pinched. Roll mixture in to balls. Finally, roll balls in hemp hearts. Store balls in fridge or freezer. Enjoy!