Paleo & Vegan Chocolate-Goji Berry Energy Balls
Packed with nourishing ingredients, these Chocolate-Goji Energy Balls are the perfect afternoon pick-me-up.
Full of flavor and naturally sweet, they satisfy a sugar craving, while providing a generous amount of dietary fiber and healthy fat to give you sustained energy and a balanced mood.
The real stars of this recipe are Wildly Organic’s Cacao Powder and Goji Berries.
If you’ve never tried goji berries and cacao together, you are in for a treat. This is truly a match made in heaven. However, if you are not a fan of goji berries, they could be omitted or replaced with another dried berry.
Paleo & Vegan Chocolate-Goji Berry Energy Balls
The nutritional goodness of these energy balls is quite impressive. Here’s a quick look at the potential benefits of these ingredients:
- Goji berries are a great source of Vitamin A, potassium, fiber, and iron.
- Cacao delivers Vitamin C, fiber, protein, iron, and more antioxidant flavonoids.
If you prefer a darker chocolate flavor, use fermented cacao powder (which is what I did when making these and they turned out delicious! Nice and chocolatey, but not too sweet). Regular (non-fermented) cacao powder will also work well.
- Nuts provide a healthy dose of good quality fat that’s wonderful for the brain. This recipe uses walnuts, pecans, and almonds, so you get a variety of vitamins and minerals as well.
While most energy ball recipes use nuts as the base, we’ve taken it up a notch by including Wildly Organic’s soaked and dehydrated nuts. Because these nuts are prepared in a way that reduces phytic acid, the energy balls easier to digest and more of their nutrition is available for your body to use.
You get all the goodness inside the nuts and keep your tummy happy at the same time!
- Coconut oil is a great fat choice and it also contains lauric acid — a powerful antimicrobial. Many believe lauric acid aids in healing from systemic yeast overgrowth, gut disturbances, and Lyme disease.
- Coconut syrup provides natural sweetness, vitamins, and minerals and has a low-glycemic index. This means it has a lower impact on blood sugar. Don’t know much about coconut syrup? Learn more here: Is Coconut Syrup the New Maple Syrup?
- Medjool dates add sweetness and substance to our recipe, as well as supplying fiber, potassium, magnesium, and Vitamin B6.
- A pinch of Himalayan pink salt brings all the flavors together and infuses the energy balls with a tiny amount of trace minerals.
Besides being a great afternoon pick-me-up or between meal snack, energy balls also make a wonderful, wholesome dessert. Each ball provides enough flavor to satisfy a sweet tooth, yet is small enough to keep you from overdoing it (unless you eat them all… which may be a temptation after you taste one!).
More Exciting & Healthy Snack Recipes:
- Coconut Milkshake with Cacao Nibs {paleo, dairy-free, vegan & low-carb options!}
- Vegan Coconut Butter & Vanilla Bean Fruit Dip (with a sugar-free option!)
- Goji Berry Applesauce
- Nut-Free & Nourishing Tropical Twist Trail Mix
- Goji Berry Granola Bars
Will you enjoy these energy balls as a snack or dessert?
- 1/2 cup Wildly Organic Soaked & Dried Almonds
- 1/2 cup Wildly Organic Soaked & Dried Pecans
- 1/2cup Wildly Organic Soaked & Dried Walnuts
- 8 datespits removed
- 1/4cup Wildly Organic Fermented Cacao Powder
- 1/4cup Wildly Organic Expeller Pressed Coconut Oil
- 1/4cup Wildly Organic Goji Berries
- 1/4cup Wildly Organic Coconut Syrup
- pinch Wildly Organic Himalayan Pink Salt
- Wildly Organic Cacao Powder or Shredded Coconutoptional for dusting/decorating outer layer
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Place nuts in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
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Add the Goji berries and pulse briefly to break them into small prices (but not a fine powder).
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Next, cut the dates in half (this is really easy with kitchen scissors) and place them in the food processor. Add the rest of the ingredients and pulse until everything comes together and is fully combined.
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Roll into balls and set aside. You'll need about 1 tablespoon of the mixture for each ball.
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Roll in shredded coconut or cacao powder, if desired.
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Store in refrigerator.
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