chocolate + tahini energy balls

These are my new favorite snack. Sweet enough to satisfy, hearty enough to fuel, and easy enough to devour. As you may know by now, I am in love with tahini and I am always looking for good, on-the-go snacks! So these are perfect!

The original genius recipe from Dishing Up the Dirt turned out a little sticky for me, so I had to make a few adjustments. Keep that in mind when you are making anything with dates or tahini, as different brands or types can change a recipe completely! I also used a bit less maple syrup in my balls because dates alone are sweet enough for me! If you like your balls a little sweeter just add a bit more maple, but that might mean that you need some more oats to soak it up! Being creative and innovative in the kitchen is half the fun (the other half being the eating part of course).

chocolate + tahini energy balls

• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1 1/2 cups oats
• dash of salt
• 1/3 cup tahini
• 1/2 cup soaked dates
• 2 Tbsp maple syrup
• 3 Tbsp cacao powder + more for rolling

Grind coconut, 1 cup oats, and salt in food processor until it is a course meal. Set aside. Add dates, maple syrup, cacao, cinnamon, and tahini to food processor and blend until smooth. This is a good time to taste test to see if you want to add any more maple syrup. Transfer to a mixing bowl with oat and coconut meal. Roughly mix with a wooden spoon. Add the remaining 1/2 cup of oats and combine thoroughly, mixing with your hands if necessary.

Roll into balls and coat with extra cacao powder. These are so tasty and convenient! They hold up and travel well so you can have a sweet and healthy snack wherever you are; we are bringing some to the movies tonight!