The ingredients for these nut free chocolate protein balls (to cater for kids with nut allergies) are all store cupboard items. They are quite sweet thanks to the dried dates so don’t eat them all at once! You could swap the dates for dried apricots which have approximately half of the sugar compared to dried dates. Dates are naturally bone friendly thanks to the phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium and Vitamin K. Dried fruit always contains more sugar though so eat in moderation. However the other ingredients in these protein balls are also packed with nutrition and the protein and fibre in particular help to slow down the release of glucose into the blood. But still…in moderation!!
Maple Syrup (100% Pure) has a lower score than processed sugar on the Glycemic Index and actually contains anti-oxidants and nutrients including Manganese, Zinc, Calcium, Potassium, Iron and Magnesium. The oats provide beta glucans (fibre) and B vitamins. The coconut provides fibre, potassium, iron and healthy fat. The pumpkin seeds provide nutrients including protein, manganese, zinc and vitamin K. The flaxseeds provide protein, omega 3, lignans, antioxidants and several other vitamins and minerals including Vitamin B1, Copper, Manganese, Magnesium and Phosphorus. Cacao powder is a good source of antioxidants, iron, fibre, potassium and magnesium. And guess what? They taste like a delicious chocolate treat…
Ingredients
Oats – 1/2 Cup
Maple syrup – 1 Tablespoon
Flaked or Shredded Coconut – 1/2 Cup
Cacao Powder – 1/4 Cup
Dried Dates – 1 1/2 Cup
Pumpkin Seeds – 1 Tablespoon
Flaxseeds – 1 Tablespoon
Dark Chocolate Chips – 1 Tablespoon
To Finish
Desiccated Coconut – 1 Cup
Method
• Blitz the oats and shredded coconut in the food processor
• Add the dates, maple syrup, cacao powder, pumpkin seeds and flaxseeds to the food processor and blitz until mixed and holding together
• Roll into ball shapes (approx a heaped teaspoon of mixture but whatever size you like)
• To finish, roll in desiccated coconut
Pop your nut free chocolate protein balls on a plate in the fridge for about half an hour to settle. You can play around with the ingredients and even add some protein powder. As mentioned already, share them around or don’t eat them all at once! They will keep in the fridge for up to a week.