I love date nut energy balls!  With a few simple ingredients, you’ve got a portable and nourishing snack that’s great for your total body health.

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I love nuts.  In particular, delicious, nutritious pecans.  When you bite into a plain pecan your tastebuds burst with a sweet flavor.  Sweet-tasting pecans are not just for the holidays as they offer a ton of every day culinary possibilities.  Pecans are tasty topping for oatmeal and salads; a coating for fish and chicken breast, mixed into energy bars and balls (like I am doing here) and blended in smoothies.

 

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Pecans are a versatile nut that offer a ton of “good” monounsaturated fat, plus they provide protein, fiber, phyto (plant) nutrients, such as sterols and flavonoids  – a health-enhancing compound also found in colorful produce.

Plus, pecans among nuts are the lowest in carbs and highest in fiber, which means they can keep you full longer (and this may bode well for your waistline!).

Let’s make some pecan energy balls today. . .

 

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Dates are the best!  I pop one in my mouth for a sweet treat.  I love to use dates to naturally sweeten dishes, too.  In these energy balls, dates are the perfect sweetener and binding agent (they keep it all together!).

 

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It’s super simple to make this energy balls, just toss all of the ingredients into a food processor and pulse away.  Don’t over pulse them, though, as coarser is better.  Don’t be afraid to give the nut mixture a good squeeze in your hands while making them into balls – as it has to be forced into conform sometimes. Enjoy these nourishing morsels on the go or before or after a workout.

 

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Looking for a tasty, simple snack? Try these Coconut Pecan Energy Balls. @americanpecan #pecans #coconut #energyballs #simplerecipe #vsnutrition #holidays Click To Tweet

 

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Coconut Pecan Energy Balls with Masala Spice

Vicki Shanta Retelny, RDN
Super simple and tasty, these nourishing energy bites pack a flavorful punch with only healthy fats, fiber and natural sugar.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Total Time 10 mins
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American, Mediterranean
Servings 12 balls

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup pecan pieces
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut shedded
  • 1/2 cup dates pitted
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp garam masala spice blend

Instructions
 

  • Add pecans and coconut into a food processor and pulse until crumbled. Add the remaining ingredients and pulse until well combined. Be careful not to pulse too much - it should be a bit coarse. 
  • Roll into 12 small bite-size balls and place on a parchment lined sheet pan and cool in the fridge for at least 1 hour. Once chilled you can stack in a storage container, or place in a resealable bag, and continue storing in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or freeze.

Notes

Recipe used with permission from americanpecan.com.  
Keyword chicagord, coconut, energy balls, healthy snack, masala spice, no cook balls, nutritionist, pecans, plant based, protein packed, spices

 

Enjoy eating simply,

-Vicki