Almond, Raisin and Cacao Protein Balls

A yummy afternoon pick-me-up that gives you a balance of protein and carbohdyrates with no added refined sugar, just the natural sugars in raisins. You can use fresh dates instead if you prefer.

Ingredients

• 250g natural almonds
• 100g raisins
• 1/3 cup (55g) vanilla whey protein powder or rice protein powder or pea protein powder
• 1/4 cup raw cacao powder
• 3 tablespoons desiccated coconut
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1 tablespoon Natvia stevia based natural sweetener or xylitol sweetener, optional
• 1/3 cup organic cold-pressed coconut oil
• ​Extra desiccated coconut, for rolling

Method

1 Place almonds into a food processor and process until very finely chopped. Add raisins and process until finely chopped and combined with the almonds.
2 Add the protein powder, cacao, 2 tablespoons of the coconut along with the chia seeds and sweetener. Process to combine. Add the coconut oil and process until well combined.
3 Use your hands to shape and roll the mixture into 12 even sized balls. Roll lightly in the remaining coconut. Chill for 1 hour before serving.


Makes 12. Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
Nutrition per ball: 1031kJ; 9g protein; 19.5g fat (7.5g sat, 7.8g monounsat); 8.6g carbohydrate; 7g sugars; 3.5g fibre.