Chai Energy Balls

Name: Chai Energy Balls
Yield: 9 servings
Ingredients: 1 cup (250 mL) unsalted roasted sunflower seeds; ¼ cup (60 mL) honey; 3 tbsp (45 mL) water; 1 tsp (5 mL) ground cinnamon; ½ tsp (2 mL) vanilla extract; ½ tsp (2 mL) ground cardamom; ¼ tsp (1 mL) salt; 12 oz. (350 g) dried pitted dates (about 2 cups/500 mL); 1 cup (250 mL) unsweetened flaked coconut

Prep 10 min

Cook 35 min

Ready in 45 min

Ground cardamom adds that chai flavor to these no-bake energy bites, quickly prepared in the Flex+ Food Processor.

Ingredients

1 cup (250 mL) unsalted roasted sunflower seeds
¼ cup (60 mL) honey
3 tbsp (45 mL) water
1 tsp (5 mL) ground cinnamon
½ tsp (2 mL) vanilla extract
½ tsp (2 mL) ground cardamom
¼ tsp (1 mL) salt
12 oz. (350 g) dried pitted dates (about 2 cups/500 mL)
1 cup (250 mL) unsweetened flaked coconut

Directions

Add the sunflower seeds, honey, water, cinnamon, vanilla, cardamom, and salt to the food processor bowl. Pulse 3–5 times to chop the sunflower seeds.
With the Food Processor running, gradually add the dates. Process until a thick paste forms, about 30 seconds, scraping down the sides halfway through.
Place the coconut into a shallow bowl. Scoop the date mixture into approximately 2-tbsp (30-mL) balls and roll in the coconut to coat. Refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours. Refrigerate or freeze to store.

Yield:

9 servings

Nutrients per serving:

U.S. nutrients per serving (2 balls): Calories 260, Total Fat 11 g, Saturated Fat 4.5 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 65 mg, Carbohydrate 40 g, Fiber 6 g, Sugars 32 g (includes 7 g added sugar), Protein 4 g

Cook's Tips:

If you don’t have ground cardamom or can’t find it at your grocery store, you can substitute ¼ tsp (1 mL) of finely ground black pepper for a subtle, spicy addition.

Even though dates are sold as pitted, occasionally there are small pits or pieces that are missed during packaging. These hard pieces can damage the food processor blade, so make sure all hard pieces are removed before processing.