Orange and Walnut Energy Balls
Orange and walnut energy balls are delicious yet simple and affordable ways of enjoying a healthy and vegan snack. With three simple ingredients, you can make and store these balls and get instant energy after a tiring day!
Feeling low after a tiring and hectic day? Don’t want to do anything else? Eat a few orange and walnut energy balls and get a boost of energy! These energy balls are an amazing snack that will turn your world upside down!
These small balls are amazing! They give you so much energy just like that! The best part is these are made with only three ingredients, i.e., dates, walnuts, and orange zest. Made in less than 20 minutes, these energy balls are vegan, dairy-free, sugar-free, and gluten-free. Loaded with nutrients, antioxidants, and vitamins, these energy balls are a perfect snack.
Moreover, these are kid-friendly as well. So, you can enjoy these anytime of the day. Especially if you have a sweet tooth, you can satisfy your untimely sugar cravings without worrying about eating too much sugar. Make these energy balls and store them. They will last for up to 10 days. However, I am sure you will have to keep on making them frequently because they simply won’t last that long!
You will also enjoy Carob Truffles, Carob Energy Bites.
Ingredients breakdown
Here are three simple ingredients that you will need for these amazingly delicious and healthy energy balls.
- Medjool dates: Medjool dates are known for their amazingly rich flavor and chewy texture. These have a very sweet and caramel-like flavor. Plus, the chewy texture makes them a perfect choice for no-bake desserts and snacks. These dates are darker in color and are slightly larger in size than regular dates. They are widely used for their natural sweetness and eliminate the need for added sugar. Medjool dates are nutrient-rich. They are an instant source of energy. Moreover, they are rich in fiber and antioxidants. So, they protect the body against several diseases. Medjool dates set the base for these energy balls. They add sweetness, make them sticky, and cater to the result of the ingredients and flavors. Medjool Date Nutrition And Benefits.
- Boiling water: You will need boiling water to soak the dates. It will help in softening them up.
- Walnuts: Walnuts are known for their immense benefits. It has a crunchy texture and a nutty flavor with a slight bitterness. Apart from their flavor and texture, walnuts are super-rich in nutrients. They are an excellent source of plant-based omega-3 and antioxidants. Walnuts protect the body against several diseases like heart diseases, cancer, and mental decline.
- Orange zest: The outer orange-colored skin of the orange is its zest. Orange zest is just as flavorful as orange. It usually has a citrusy and orange flavor with a hint of bitterness. Orange zest holds essential oils and therefore adds a strong and prominent citrusy flavor to these energy balls.
How to make orange and walnut energy balls?
Making these orange and walnut energy balls is the easiest and quickest thing you can do. In fact, you don’t have to do anything really! It’s the blender/food processor that does all the work. You just have to shape them in the end, and that all. Here are the easy steps you have to follow:
Step 1: Start by pitting the Medjool dates. Once done, place them in a large bowl or a saucepan. Add boiling water on top and let them soak in it for about 10 minutes or until they have softened up.
Step 2: Once 10 minutes have passed, drain the dates, discard the water and place them in a blender jug or in a food processor bowl.
Step 3: Add walnuts and blend the two ingredients for about 1 minute or so until they are crumbled and well blended.
Step 4: Now add fresh orange zest and blend the three ingredients together until they are well combined, and you get a sticky mixture.
Step 5: Now, using a tablespoon, scoop out the mixture one by one and roll it onto your palms. Shape their small balls and place them on a parchment-lined tray. You can adjust the size according to your liking.
Step 6: Once you have used up all the mixture, place the tray in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes so that the balls are set and hold the shape.
Step 7: Enjoy!
Variation ideas
There are so many healthy ingredients that you can add to these balls and make them taste even better. So, if you want to increase the nutrient profile of these energy balls, or want to add more flavors, here are a few ingredients for you to add:
- Dried berries: If you don’t want to add dates, you can add dried berries instead as well. Try adding dried blueberries, mulberries, or even dried cherries. All these ingredients are also known for their natural sweetness and work really well as a substitute for dates.
- Nuts: Although this recipe specifically uses walnuts, you can add other nuts as well. You can use almonds, pecans, or cashews for this recipe. Moreover, combine a few nuts to create amazing flavors.
- Seeds: Chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, or sesame seeds are all known for their impressive nutritional profile. These seeds do not just add nutrients but also flavors and texture. So, make these energy balls richer by adding a few seeds.
- Coconut: shredded coconut tastes delicious. You can add it into the ball mixture or use it to coat them. Either way, you get the tropical flavor which is just delicious.
- Protein powder: If you want these energy balls to be your go-to post and prelockout snack, add protein powder to the mixture. You can add unflavored or flavored protein powder and satisfy your body’s requirements.
Tip for making orange and walnut energy balls
You can make these balls effortlessly. However, to get the perfect consistency and shape, you need to keep a few things in mind. These are:
- Soaking the dates is important. It will help them soften up, and blending them won’t be a problem.
- Don’t forget to take the seed out of the dates. You can do that by making a slit in the dates with a sharp knife and opening the flesh with your hands. Take the seed out and discard it.
- If the mixture is crumbly and not holding shape, you can add a dash of almond milk or water.
- You can adjust the amount of orange zest according to your liking.
How to store orange and walnut energy balls
The best thing about these energy balls is that they are easy to store and have a long shelf life. So, you can make them in advance and store them in the refrigerator. Once they are set, take them out of the refrigerator, and place them in an airtight container. Place back in the refrigerator, and they will last for up to 10 days.
Moreover, you can also freeze these energy balls. Place then in a freezer-safe ziplock bag or in an airtight container. Place them in the freezer, and they will last for up to 3 months. Take them out of the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before you eat them.
Other Vegan Snacks To Prepare
- Vegan Fudge
- Vegan Mexican Wedding Cookies
- Tamarind Balls
- Almond Flour Cranberry Cookies
- Gluten-free pumpkin pull-apart cinnamon rolls
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Orange and Walnut Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup medjool dates (dried blueberries or dried cherries)
- 1/2 cup Boiling water
- 2 cups walnuts (nuts, cashews, almonds or pecans)
- Zest of 2 oranges
Instructions
- In a saucepan, add pitted Medjool dates. Pour boiling water on top and let them soak in the water for about 10 minutes.
- Once the time is up, drain the dates and add them to a high-speed blender jug or a food processor.
- Add walnuts and blend until the ingredients turn into a smooth mixture.
- Add orange zest and continue to blend until the mixture turns sticky.
- Scoop out a tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into a ball using your hands
- Continue to make small balls until you have used up all the mixture.
- Place these balls on a parchment-lined tray and place them in a refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
- Enjoy!
The combination of zesty orange and the rich nuttiness of walnuts is genius. It’s like a mini-explosion of freshness and wholesome goodness, perfect for a quick pick-me-up or a healthy snack