Anti-Inflammatory Date Balls
These Anti-Inflammatory Date Balls aren't just another snack—they're a powerhouse of flavor and health benefits. Made with ingredients known for their anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties.
Servings: 9 servings
Calories: 233kcal
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons quinoa (optional)
- 1 ½ cups raw walnuts halves and pieces
- 10 Medjool dates pitted
- ¼ cup barberries or dried cranberries
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal
- 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
- 2 teaspoons strawberry powder (optional)
- ½ teaspoon amla powder (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves or cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon water plus more as needed
Instructions
- Optional for crunchy quinoa coating: Rinse the quinoa and drain well. Transfer the washed quinoa to a large skillet or saute pan. Toast the quinoa over medium heat, stirring frequently. Keep cooking until the quinoa browns and smells nutty.
- Pulse the walnuts: Transfer the walnuts to the canister of a food processor fitted with an ‘S’ blade. Pulse until a fine meal forms.
- Pulse ingredients: Add the dates, barberries, cocoa powder, vanilla, flaxseed meal, sesame seeds, strawberry powder, amla powder, ground cloves, and 2 teaspoons of water. Pulse until a uniform dough forms. Test the dough by squeezing it to see if it sticks together. Add the additional teaspoon of water if the dough does not stick easily.
- Scoop out 3 tablespoons of dough for each ball. Roll the dough between your hands to form a ball. Place the ball on a nonstick surface. Repeat until there is no more dough.
- Coat the balls with the toasted quinoa, if using. (Or add the toasted quinoa to the dough before forming the balls.)
- Chill or freeze before serving for the best-tasting energy balls.
Notes
- See the blog post for where to purchase these ingredients.
- Quinoa adds a crunch and some protein but is optional.
- Add protein powder as desired. You might need to add more water for them to stick.
- Pitted dates do not taste as fresh as whole dates. I recommend purchasing them whole and removing the pits yourself.
- Amla powder (optional) helps lower LDL cholesterol.
- Strawberry powder (optional) contains anti-inflammatory fisetin.
- Barberries (optional) contain berberine which helps reverse an aging pathway.
- Cloves (optional) are high in antioxidants.
Nutrition
Calories: 233kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 14mg | Potassium: 345mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 45IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1mg
