Almond Butter Energy Balls

Prep time

20 mins

Total Time

20 mins

These fruity, nutty balls make tasty sweet treats, or pack them along as a snack for a quick energy boost. Cardamom, which you may recognize from masala chai, gives these balls a distinctive flavour.

Author: Cooking Vegetarian, 2nd ed. by Joseph Forest and Vesanto Melina, RD

Recipe type: Snack, Vegetarian, Vegan

Makes: 30 balls

Ingredients

• 1 cup (250 mL) rolled oats, processed in a food processor for 20 seconds until finely ground (can substitute with oat flour)

• 1 cup (250 mL) almond butter or peanut butter

• ½ cup (125 mL) pumpkin seeds

• ½ cup (125 mL) raisins

• ½ cup (125 mL) dried cranberries, chopped

• ½ cup (125 mL) chocolate chips

• Zest and juice of ½ of a lemon

• 1 tsp (5 mL) cinnamon

• ½ tsp (2 mL) ground cardamom, or 3 whole cardamom pods, crushed

• ½ tsp (2 mL) vanilla

• 1-2 Tbsp (15-30 mL) water (optional)

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients except water in a medium bowl with a fork until well combined. If needed, gradually add enough water and mix until the mixture holds together. Roll into small balls, each about 2 Tbsp (30 mL) in size, and store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to a week or freezer for up to several months.