NUT-FREE PROTEIN ENERGY BITES

RECIPE: CHOCOLATE TART CHERRY SEED ENERGY BALLS

Energizing and easy-to-digest snack to enjoy before your workout or long run. High in healthy fats, protein and minerals including iron from the seeds.

These two-bite energy balls help me get out the door faster for early runs and are super easy-to-digest (nut-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, grain-free). Make a double batch and stash them in your freezer to grab anytime you feel an energy slump (hello 2pm every day!).

Chocolate Tart Cherry Seed Balls

From the NY Times Bestselling Rise & Run cookbook.

Makes 16 energy balls

Introducing nut-free energy bites that are sweet, salty, and tart to please all your discerning taste buds. They’re low-glycemic and packed with a heart-healthy trifecta of energizing seeds, including pumpkin, sunflower, and our favorite powerhouse, hemp seeds.

Seeds are high in protein, healthy fats, and essential minerals, and are shown to help balance hormones and boost your mood. These brave balls are packable and ready to join you on your next endurance adventure—whether that’s a day at the office or a mountain trail run.

INGREDIENTS:

¾ cup raw pumpkin seeds
¼ cup raw sunflower seeds
¼ cup raw hemp hearts (hulled hemp seeds)
½ cup Deglet Noor dates, pitted
¼ cup unsweetened dried tart cherries*
¼ cup chocolate chips
2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ teaspoon fine sea salt

*We like the tartness of sour cherries as a contrasting flavor to the sweet dates, but if you can’t find tart cherries, substitute dried cranberries.

In a food processor or high-speed blender, combine the pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and hemp hearts. Pulse a couple of times to break up the seeds. Add the dates, cherries, chocolate chips, coconut oil, cocoa powder, and salt. Pulse or blend on high, stopping as needed to scrape underneath the blade, until the mixture is rollable and doughlike (it will be slightly oily, but will firm up once chilled).
Use your hands to roll the mixture into bite-size balls. Place in a glass storage container. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes prior to eating. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 1 month.