Energy Balls…three ways

Food blogger Jo has been making energy balls for years for fuel to take on long runs. They’re great for a snack or a breakfast on the go, and a great alternative to buying expensive protein bars or breakfast bars.

Try experimenting with different flavours and combinations. Here are three of Jo’s favourites:

• Mint Chocolate Chip
• Turkish Delight
• Carrot Cake

Mint Chocolate Chip

1. Soak dates in boiling water for 20 minutes and drain.
2. Add cashew nuts and oats to food processor and blitz for a minute.
3. Add remaining ingredients, except the chocolate chips, and blitz again.
4. The mixture should come together in clumps but not be too sticky that you can’t mould it.
5. Remove your blade and mix in chocolate chips with a spoon.
6. Break off chunks from your mix and roll into balls of your preferred size.
7. Store in freezer or fridge depending how quickly you plan to eat them.

Turkish Delight

Method

1. Soak the pitted dates for 20 minutes in boiling water and drain.
2. Add cashew nuts and oats to food processor and blend for a minute.
3. Add cacao powder and blitz again.
4. Add dates and rose water and blitz.
5. The mix should come together into big clumps and stick together when you pull a chunk off. If this isn’t happening add 1 dessert spoon of water to the food processor whilst it’s whizzing. Repeat until mix sticks together but it shouldn’t be a paste.
6. Break off chunks from your mix and roll into balls of your preferred size.
7. Store in freezer or fridge depending how quickly you plan to eat them.

Carrot Cake

1. Soak dates in boiling water for 20 mins.
2. Add cashew nuts, carrot, spices to a food processor and blitz for a minute. You want the texture to remain a little course.
3. Add oats and blitz for another minute.
4. Add dates after they’ve been drained and blitz again.
5. Remove mixture from processor and place in a bowl.
6. Mix currents with a spoon.
7. If it’s a little dry add a splash of water.
8. Roll the mix into balls of your desired size.
9. Store in freezer or fridge depending how quickly you plan to eat them.

Jo is a mum, wife, long-distance runner, writer and the creator of Jo’s Healthy Cupboard, based in the North East of Scotland.

She uses her platform to inspire others to make small changes towards a healthier, happier and more sustainable lifestyle by sharing practical tips, recipes, relevant products and daily thoughts.

www.joshealthycupboard.co.uk