Cookie Dough Balls (Protein-Power Packed)

It has been another busy week in my kitchen, and I have two more amazing recipes to share with you.  These are hands-down my kiddos absolute FAVORITE things to eat for an after-school snack or before a practice, training session, or soccer game.  They have truly enjoyed the "taste-testing & experimenting" process for this recipe, and now request that we have a constant supply on hand.   My husband has even given them his stamp of approval and packs them to eat before or after a workout, or as a quick snack in-between his constant meetings at work.  I have tested them on practically every adult and kid that has entered our home over the past 2 weeks, and even the finickiest eaters have given me a smile and a thumbs up. 

It is always bittersweet to post a recipe.  It's like a baby bird leaving the nest.  I honestly put so much work into them, tweaking them until I find that perfect balance of nutrition and yumminess.  Although I have opted for an alternative way of eating, being grain free, I refuse to give up on taste and texture.  This southern girl will never solely think of food as a source of energy.

 

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Power Balls

(these are grain-free, gluten-free, and depending on your protein powder & chocolate chip, can be dairy-free)
Ingredients:

9 medjool dates, pitted
1 & 1/4 cup cashews, unsalted
1/2 cup almond flour
1/4 cup coconut flour
3 scoops vanilla protein powder
2 Tablespoons ground flax seed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon pure maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:

Combine, dates, cashews, flours, protein powder, flax seed, and salt in a food processor.  Blend until combined and evenly ground.  While food processor is running, add in syrup and vanilla.  Blend until a stiff dough forms. 

Transfer dough to a medium mixing bowl and stir in chocolate chips. 

Roll dough into 1 inch balls, and store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. 

Makes about 24 balls.

Nutritional Information:

Serving Size: 1 ball

Calories: 90
Fat: 4.5g
Carbs: 8.5g
Sugars: 5g
Protein: 5g
Fiber: 1.5g

Seriously, compare that to your average chocolate chip granola bar that has: 100 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, 18 carbs, only 1 gram of both protein & fiber and 6 grams of sugar.  Which one do you think is going to fuel your body better???

Peanut Butter Power Balls

(these are grain-free, gluten-free, and depending on your protein powder & chocolate chip, can be dairy-free)

These little guys are a throwback to my all-time favorite candy.  In my mind, chocolate and peanut butter were meant to be together forever just like me and yoga pants.  I seriously came up with this recipe one afternoon after we purged our pantry of all candy.  Yes, there were tears in our house for sure.  Now I can enjoy that same beloved combination and not feel guilty about it or have that nasty sugar high & low.  I have yet to not have a kid ask for seconds of this tasty and power-packed snack.

Indredients:

9 medjool dates, pitted
1 cup dry roasted peanuts
1/2 cup almond flour
1/4 cup coconut flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons ground flax
3 scoops vanilla protein powder
2 Tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup milk chocolate chips (optional, but included in nutritional info)

Directions:

Combine, dates, peanuts, flours, protein powder, flax seed, and salt in a food processor.  Blend until combined and evenly ground.  While food processor is running, add in syrup and vanilla.  Blend until a stiff dough forms. 

Transfer dough to a medium mixing bowl and stir in chocolate chips. 

Roll dough into 1 inch balls, and store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. 

Makes about 24 balls.

Nutritional Information:

Serving Size: 1 ball

Calories: 90
Fat: 4g
Carbs: 8.5g
Sugars: 5.5g
Protein: 5g
Fiber: 1.5g

Enjoy!