Well, we are back at it! School is in session, which means lunch and snack packing on the daily!
I wanted to make a nut-free option of one of our favorite snacks… the energy ball! We are fortunate to not have allergies in our house, but I know how scary it can be for others that have this as a daily concern. So here are my allergy and classroom friendly energy balls.
Energy, or bliss balls, (call it what you wish) are a great grab and go snack or an addition to your littles’ lunches (or you own lunch). These nut-free energy balls are made with 6 simple ingredients and are loaded with nutrients! As a replacement for the typical nut butter I added a bunch of ground flaxseeds and extra oats… hello goodness!
Why Flaxseeds? These little seeds are loaded with nutrients, are high in omega-3 fatty acids, are anti-inflammatory, and contain high amounts of lignans (an antioxidant). Fun fact: flaxseeds are the highest source of lignans in the human diet! They also give these little gems some fiber and protein.
All About the Oats! Oats are a very healthy option when it comes to grains. They are low on the glycemic scale which means they keep blood sugar in check and they also support sustainable energy. Oats are a good source of fiber and plant protein and provide you with a good dose of minerals.
How About a Date!? Dates are natures candy. They are high in fiber and a good source vitamins and minerals. They are a great energy booster, so are perfect for an afternoon snack. They are very high in sugar (natural of course), but the sugars in dates are more easily processed by the body, so much different than consuming refined sugars.
Mix up these ingredients and keep these energy bites stored in the fridge! And now you have yourself a great snack or add-in for lunches!
If you make this recipe, please let me know what you think! Leave a comment below and/or share a photo on Instagram and mention @CleanPlateMama!
Nut-free Energy Balls
These nut-free energy balls are allergy friendly and are perfect for an afternoon snack!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups pitted, Medjool dates about 18 dates
- 3/4 cup ground flaxseeds
- 3/4 cup rolled oats
- 1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 tbsp. coconut oil, melted
- 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
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Place all ingredients, except the mini chocolate chips, in a high speed blender or food processor.
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Blend until ingredients form a thick, crumbly texture. When you can squeeze some of the mixture between your fingers and it forms together it is blended enough. You may need to scrape down the sides of your blender of food processor a few times before it's ready.
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Scoop mixture into a separate bowl and fold in the chocolate chips.
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Form mixture into 1" balls (a little over a tablespoon of mixture per ball). Mixture makes between 16 and 18 balls.
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Store in refrigerator. Will keep fresh for up to one week.
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Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- If your dates aren’t pitted, just tear them open and take pit out before using in the recipe.
- I love Enjoy Life chocolate chips since they are allergy friendly.
Resoures: https://draxe.com/nutrition/fruit/medjool-dates/ https://www.livestrong.com/article/507760-what-are-the-benefits-of-eating-dates/ https://draxe.com/nutrition/seeds/10-flax-seed-benefits-nutrition-facts/ https://draxe.com/nutrition/grains/are-oats-gluten-free/
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