These small bites of deliciousness pack a punch of taste and nutrition. Energy balls, quite similar to laddoos, are a healthy snack for kids as well, and it can be eaten by adults too as a quick bite amid a busy schedule. Not only does it take no time at all to make energy balls, but also there are endless ways of preparing it, making it that much more interesting. There are four different recipes for energy balls that have wide-ranging textures and permutations and combinations of flavours. These are the sweet, tangy, and smooth PB&J Energy Bites; creamy and crunchy Mango Coconut Energy Bites; flavourful Strawberry and Nutella Energy Bites; and the instantly refreshing Espresso Energy Bites. 

Bites of Nutrition

Energy Balls are also known as Bliss Balls, Protein Balls (as they are said to be rich in protein), Nutri Balls, and Snack Balls. They have evolved as a grab and quickly eat a snack, which is a healthier alternative to heavier junk food.

Here are the four different kinds of Energy Balls recipes: 

 1. PB&J Energy Bites

These Energy Balls are made with berries, dates, oats, peanut butter, and some crushed peanuts.

Ingredients:

•    ¼ cup of dried berries soaked in water

•    2 pitted Medjool dates

•    1 cup rolled oats

•    1 cup peanut butter

Method:

•    Drain the soaked berries.

•    Blend the berries and dates in a food processor, with blades, and make a paste.

•    Put the oats in the food processor and make a flour-like powder.

•    Take the peanut butter and the powdered oats and make dough from it.

•    Take a tablespoon of peanut butter and make a small circle out of it.

•    Put a little bit of the berries and date paste in the middle of the circle.

•    Fold the paste around the circle making it into a rough ball.

•    Then smoothen out the ball a little bit as you would make balls of dough.

•    Finally, roll the balls in leftover oats.

•    Keep in an airtight jar for three to five days.

2. Mango Coconut Energy Bites

This recipe comprises mango, coconut, cashew nuts, and honey.

Ingredients:

•    1 cup cashew nuts

•    1 cup dried mangoes peeled and soaked in tepid water

•    ½ cup dried and shredded coconut

•    1 tablespoon honey

•    1 lime, zested 

Method: 

•    Crush the cashew nuts, then puree them in a food processor

•    Drain the soaked mangoes 

•    Then take the mangoes, coconut, and honey and make a puree of it in the food processor

•    Roll small dough balls from the pureed cashew nuts and mango, coconut, and honey paste

•    Roll the energy ball in a lime zest for added flavour

•    Store in an air-tight jar for four to five days

3. Strawberry Nutella Energy Bites

This is a sweet, smooth, tangy preparation, comprising strawberry powder, nutella, maple syrup, cocoa powder, hazel nuts, and almond butter. 

Ingredients:

•    ½ cup lightly roasted hazelnuts 

•    ½ almond butter

•    ¼ cocoa powder

•    2 tablespoons maple syrup

•    ½ freeze-dried strawberry powder

Method: 

•    Chop hazelnuts in a food processor, then make a paste out of it. 

•    To the hazelnut puree, add almond butter, cocoa powder, and maple syrup.

•    Combine all the ingredients well.

•    Then, roll small balls from the dough. 

•    Dust the balls with strawberry powder.

•    Keep in an airtight jar for five days. 

4. Espresso Energy Bites 

These richly-flavoured Espresso Balls are moderately sweet. 

Ingredients:

Pitted Medjool dates

½ cup almond butter

1 teaspoon instant espresso

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon molasses

¼ cup cocoa powder

½ cup chopped chocolate-covered espresso beans

Method:

•    In a food processor, chop and then puree the dates.

•    To the date paste, add almond butter, instant espresso, vanilla extract and molasses and mix well until smooth.

•    Roll tablespoon-sized portions of the dough into balls, and roll balls in cocoa. powder and chopped espresso beans. 

•    Keep in an airtight container for five days.

These Energy Balls are rich in protein, healthy fats, carbohydrates, and fibre.