These Chai Energy Balls are an easy, vegan friendly and gluten free snack that is high in protein and perfectly chewy and spicy sweet!
Is it just me or do you also think that pumpkin spice gets too much attention during the fall?
I mean, don’t get me wrong, I LOVE pumpkin spice anything. But, I also REALLY REALLY love chai anything and chai just doesn’t get the love that it deserves.
OH lightbulb: we could even put the two together.
There’s something so cozy about some chai tea on a cold winter night, you know? BUT, what is a girl to do if she wants the cozy chai flavors, but doesn’t have time to make said tea?
Enter: Chai protein balls!
What are the spices in chai tea?
The standard chai tea spice mix has cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, coriander and black pepper. Don’t worry the pepper adds nice spice and doesn’t taste too peppery.
Chai Energy Balls Ingredients
To make these balls you will need all above mentioned chai spices and a few other, super-simple ingredients:
- Dates
- Vanilla protein powder
- Coconut oil
How to Make Energy Balls
The beauty of energy balls is that they are on the easiest snacks AND they have a great blend of protein, carbs and a little bit of fat to keep you full until your next meal! Here’s how you make them:
Process
Add the dates into a food processor and process until they are broken down and begin to form a ball.
Mix
Add in the protein powder and all the spices and process again until everything is well mixed.
Stream
While the food processor is running, stream in the coconut oil until well mixed.
Roll
Roll the balls into 1 Tbsp and you are ready to EAT!
OPTIONAL: you can also roll the rolls into some more protein powder if you don’t want the outside to be sticky!
How to store Chai Energy Balls
You want to store energy balls in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. I have found that they get dry if left on the counter!
How long do energy balls last?
These chai balls will stay good in the refrigerator for about 2 weeks. If you somehow don’t eat them all by then, you can freeze them for up to 3 months! Then you have an easy snack to just pop and go!
Just make sure you thaw them first. Don’t want you to break your teeth!
Switch it up
If you want to get creative with these bites, I’ve got a few ideas for ya:
Protein powder – instead of vanilla, you could use chocolate protein powder to make some dirt chai bites.
Chocolate covered – if you want to be a fancy snacker, you could copy the no bake date energy protein balls and dip your bites in melted chocolate!
Cocoa powder – maybe dipping them in chocolate is a little too extra for you, but you still like the idea of chocolate? Roll them in cocoa powder for a spicy-vanilla-chocolate treat.
Side note: still bitter that McDonalds took away their twist cones. THE BEST.
Good thing that we have these better-for-you little bites of bliss to make up for it
Chai Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 2 cups Dates roughly chopped (260g)
- 4 tablespoons Vanilla Protein Powder (plant-based)
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cloves
- 1/8 teaspoon Ground Ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon Ground Coriander
- 1/8 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 2 teaspoons Coconut Oil
Instructions
-
Place the dates in a large food processor and process until broken down
-
Add in the protein powder and spices and blend until well mixed.
-
With the food processor running, stream in the coconut oil until the mixture forms a ball.
-
Use a cookie scoop to roll into 1 Tbsp sized balls
-
DEVOUR
Nutrition
The post Chai Energy Balls appeared first on Food Faith Fitness.