Pistachio cranberry energy balls
These no-bake pistachio cranberry energy balls are not only easy to make but a delicious way to keep you going when you need it.
I chose to use both dates and figs to follow my belief that “the more variety of foods the better”. I wanted something more than just chocolate chips ( I can’t believe I am saying this…) and I added a pistachios for more crunch and a few cranberries to give that little bitterness.
For the pistachio-cranberry energy balls you need:
- Rolled oats: I use sprouted oats because of its benefits. Since the recipe is not baked or cooked, these rolled oats are easier to digest and have their nutrients more available.
- Cranberries: are sour unless you buy them sweetened. For this recipe I find the dates and figs already do the trick so I add unsweetened cranberries. If you find them too tart find those that have been sweetened with apple juice. Cranberries are mostly known to help and prevent UTIs.When you buy cranberries make sure get oil free ( most brands use oils to avoid them stick together and to preserve them) and unsulfured ( sulfur dioxide is use to keep the bright red color)
- Dates: are naturally sweet, a great source of fibre, Vitamin B6 and minerals. Dates are high in antioxidants and they help to bring down inflammation markers and because of their low glycemic index (low GI) they help with blood sugar regulation.
- Figs: are also a natural sweetener but with less calories, carbs and sugar than dates and more fibre. They contain copper, manganese, calcium, magnesium and potassium.
- Pistachios: they are low in calories yet high in protein and fibre. Actually pistachios protein have a higher ratio of amino acids than other nuts. They have antioxidants and research shows to lower LDL. Contain vitamins like B6 and thiamine and are rich in minerals like copper and manganese.
- Chia seeds are high in protein and omega 3 fatty acids
- Flaxseeds higher in omega 3 fatty acids than chia seeds and studies have shown to slow down prostate cancer. Excellent source of fibre. Buy whole flaxseeds and grind them your self in a coffee grinder. The fats in the seeds oxidize quickly losing some of their nutrients.
Pistachio cranberry energy balls
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cup sprouted rolled oats ( or regular rolled oats) or 1 cup rolled oats and 1/2 cup puffed quinoa.
- 1 cup organic unsweetened cranberries.
- 1/2 cup dates.
- 1/2 cup figs.
- 1 cup pistachios.
- 1/3 chocolate chips or cacao nips.
- 1/4 cup syrup (optional).
- 1 tbsp chia seeds.
- 1 tbsp grounded flax seeds.
- pinch of salt.
Instructions
- Remove the pit of the dates (I use Bam, also called Mazafati dates). These dates are very soft and they blend easily. Other dates like Medjool will work too.
- Add all the ingredients to a food processor and blend until forming a ball. Measure balls with the help of a small ice cream scoop or a spoon and roll them between your hands.
- Makes approx 17-18 balls.
Nutrition
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 7.5g
- Sodium: 0.8mg
- Fat: 5.7g
- Carbohydrates: 13g
- Fiber: 2.8g
- Protein: 2.8g