Chocolate Chip Energy Balls
Sometimes I just need a little something sweet to get through my day. Often if I'm craving a dessert, I'll make up these Chocolate Chip Energy Balls. Sometimes I use them as an afternoon pick-me-up with a cup of tea, sometimes I add them to my breakfast as a little extra side of goodness & sometimes I eat them as a dessert!
One or two of them will do the trick. They have the perfect amount of sweetness plus protein & other super nutritious packed ingredients to make you feel good about your choosing these over something else that will leave you feeling sluggish & guilty. Even though the name says chocolate chips right in it, they are totally optional so leave them out if you're not a chocolate lover.
You'll see that I use the Vital Proteins brand of collagen protein in these. I love this protein because it is totally unflavored & it mixes great into everything. It's also great because it's allergen friendly which is one of the main reasons I use it. Being allergic to milk & eggs can make it difficult to find a quality protein powder but the Unflavored Vital Proteins works great.
Chocolate Chip Energy Balls
ingredients
12-15 pitted dates
1/2 cup whole almonds
1/3 cup almond butter
3 tablespoons dark chocolate chips
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 scoops unflavored vital proteins
directions
place the date & almonds in a food processor until chopped into a crumbly mixture. {this takes a quick minute...you want it small but not to where it turns into a paste like substance}
add in the almond butter, chia seeds, water, protein powder, vanilla & salt. process until all the ingredients are mixed well.
add in the chocolate chips & pulse just until mixed in.
using a small cookie scoop, scoop out "dough" onto parchment paper lined cookie sheet. roll into balls.
store in refrigerator for up to 5 days.