Healthy Fruit & Nut Chocolate Power Balls (vegan, gluten-free)

These little power balls don't take their name lightly - they are literally packed with healthy fats and protein, and they will keep you going when you don't have time to eat a full meal.

Some days when I'm hustling to get the kids ready for school and out the door, and simultaneously trying to get myself ready for work, I'll realize at the last minute that all I've ingested is caffeine. And on those days, I love when I have a container of these power balls in my fridge - they are total life savers. 

This recipe is quite adaptable. I change it up all the time - varying the types of nuts and dried fruit to match what I have on hand (but keeping the overall ratios approximately the same). They always turn out great.

You'll need a food processor for this recipe, and you'll need to devote a bit of time to roll them into balls. That part is a bit of a labour of love - but I promise you, it's worth it.

Read on for the recipe....

Chocolate Fruit & Nut Power Balls

Makes about 50 balls

- Vegan

- Gluten-Free

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Macadamia nuts

1/2 cup whole cashews

1/2 sunflower seeds

1 cup whole raw almonds 

1/4 hemp seeds

2 Tbs Chia Seeds

2 cups chopped dried fruit (I use 1/2 cup each of dried cranberries, apricots, figs & dates, but I've used raisins & currents as well and they all work)

2 Tbs Cocoa powder

pinch of salt - about 1/8tsp (optional)

1/2 cup chocolate chips 

1/4 almond butter (or other nut butter of your choice)

2 Tbsp coconut butter

Optional: shredded coconut for rolling (about 1/2 cup)
**All nuts & seeds should be raw/unroasted, whole, & unsalted

In a good processor, process all the nuts and seeds until you get a coarse but uniformly granular grind.
Then add in the dried fruit and chocolate chips & process again.
Then add in the remaining ingredients and process until well combined and mixture holds/sticks together when pressed in your hands. 
*if your mixture is too dry and won't hold together into balls, add another tablespoon of coconut butter or almond butter.

Roll them into 1inch balls. You can roll them in shredded coconut or leave them as is if you like.

Store in the fridge - they are best cold, in my opinion.