Salted CaCao Power Balls

Salted Cacao Power Balls are no ordinary “power bar.” Soft, supple, chewy, and chocolatey, they are great for an easy lean protein snack or pick-me-up situation. I love to grab these while busy at work or between meals. I’m also trying my hardest to be a mature person talking about nuts and balls in this post. Bear with me as I am laughing at the innuendos throughout the post. I am very serious about my Salted Cacao Balls 😅.

On a more serious note, I made these for my friend undergoing cancer (the more serious I get, the more silly I feel). He needed something packed with nutrients to give him protein, fill him up, and satisfy him simultaneously. Made with dates, I love to pop one (or more) while trying to curb my appetite. They can be used for protein supplements. These are perfect for lean supplements, giving great nutrients like omegas (from the nuts), immunity support from the cacao, protein from the nut/seed mix and almond butter, and natural sugars and textures from the dates.

Power Balls ingredient notes:

It would be optimal to have all ingredients Organic. If you don’t, don’t fret! Power balls are still balls (lol) without Organic ingredients. We recently have changed over to primarily organic ingredients so that my friend with cancer has less crap (and us, too!) in our day-to-day consumption.

Cacao powder is the chocolate pods and beans that are fermented before they are fermented. It tastes very similar to straight chocolate (maybe a slight bit more bitter). Here is the organic version I like.

Trader Joe’s has a great selection of nuts and almond butter. You can find everything you need to make this recipe.

NOTE: This is a healthy snack, but you can easily make it a dessert. (Healthy dessert!!)

How to make Salted Cacao Power Balls

Step 1: Gather supplies

Gather ingredients and supplies: a medium mixing bowl, teapot or hot water, sheet pan or plate, food processor, and other small bowls for outside flavoring. Make individual bowls for the outer covering of the power balls, such as cinnamon, coconut, flakey sea salt, caramel, or almond bark (don’t melt yet).

Step 2: Soften the dates

Boil 4 cups of water in a teapot or on the stove and bring to a light simmer. Put the pitted dates in the mixing bowl, pour the hot water over them, and let them sit for about 10 minutes. Drain, and let it relax. (this helps loosen and rehydrate the dates for mixing.)

Step 3: Grind the nuts

Add the walnuts, sunflower seeds (and any other seeds you may want to add), and pulse until coarsely crumbled. Add the cacao powder and cinnamon, and pulse again to blend. It should be a coarse mix at this point.

Step 4: mix the dates, oil, and Almond butter

Add coconut oil, almond butter, and a pinch of salt, and pulse. Add the dates and continue to pulse until you have a thick paste. Disconnect the processor and take it to your workbench. Roll a large pinch of date paste around in your hand, forming a ball. Repeat using all the date paste until you have no more left.

Step 5: make toppings and store!

Dip into your coating of choice, sprinkle with salt, or drizzle with caramel. Freeze and keep as snacks as you please. They are good for up to three months in the freezer.

That’s it! Now store them so you can grab and go anytime you need a healthy pick-me-up.

The How to Make Protein Balls video

I love this snack!

I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! They are so easy to grab, but be careful—they can go quick!

Yours truly,

Farmer Fran

Try the chocolate no-bake quinoa cookies if you like this lean protein snack!

The Salted CaCao Power Ball Recipe