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Writer's pictureCiara Ryan

Angela's Chocolate Power Balls

Updated: Apr 10


This is one of my favourite snack recipes for a chocolate fix which packs a punch for post work-out, afternoon snack or simply when you can’t get past those chocolate cravings. You can keep it simple with the basic recipe or go all out with your favourite nutritious add-ins.


The list of ingredients may seem long, but these balls are so easy to make, once you’ve stocked up, you’ll be knocking them out every weekend. Protein-packed, they deliver a burst of super-tasty nutritious energy, fibre, vitamins & minerals, making them the ideal post-workout snack.


Ingredients - makes 24

125g whole peanut butter

100g Brazil nuts, finely chopped or processed in a Nutribullet/food processer

50g dried cranberries, preferably without oil or sweetener added, finely chopped

2 tablespoons shelled hemp seeds

1 tablespoon chia seeds, pre-milled or grind them in a mortar

5 teaspoons raw cacao powder

3 teaspoons honey or maple syrup

1 teaspoon coconut oil

Teaspoon vanilla extract

Extra cacao powder, hemp seeds, chia seeds or coconut shreds, to coat


Options

  • Try dried cherries instead of cranberries.

  • Try other nut butters e.g. hazelnut, cashew, almond. Always opt for the whole nut version without added oils, sugar, or salt.

  • If you don’t have any Brazil nuts – add a mixture of unsalted nuts such as hazelnut, almond, macadamia.

  • Add a teaspoon of maca powder and blue green algae, spirulina, or other sources of chlorophyll.

  • Reduce the cranberries by half for a less sweet version. Similarly reduce the honey and maple syrup. They still taste great.

  • Add 3 teaspoons of cacao nibs chopped and reduce the cacao power to 3 teaspoons.

  • For a lower carb version, use a sweetener of your choice such as Stevia, erythritol or xylitol. Add a little at a time and mix well before tasting. Increase quantity to taste.

  • Add seeds from ½ vanilla pod instead of vanilla extract.

Instructions

  1. Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl (easiest done using your hands).

  2. Shape the paste into small balls and gently roll them in the extra cacao powder, hemp seeds, chia seeds, coconut shreds, or a combination of any of these (coconut is my all-time favourite).

  3. Chill for 15 minutes. Keep refrigerated. They keep for around 2-3 weeks in an air-tight container in the fridge.

Angela Egan is the newest member of our team at Ciara Ryan Nutrition. Read her full bio here.

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