Cacao Energy Balls with Hazelnuts (vegan + gluten-free)

Ingredients

• 1 heaped cup hazelnuts
• 1/2 cup raw cacao or cocoa powder
• 18 pitted dates (if you have large medjool dates, use 10)
• 1/3 cup goji berries (or raisins if you don’t have them)
• 1/3 cup shelled hemp seeds
• 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
• 1/4 tsp raw vanilla bean powder or vanilla extract (optional)
• Pinch of salt
• 2 tbsp water

Instructions

1. 1

   Using a dry frying pan or skillet, lightly toast the hazelnuts on the stovetop on a low heat until golden brown.

2. 2

   If you have a food processor: add all ingredients to it and pulse together until a sticky mixture forms.

3. 3

   If not: add the hazelnuts to a blender and blend on a low speed until they are chopped into small pieces.

4. 4

   Do the same separately with the dates, then add all ingredients to a bowl and knead together with your hands until a sticky mixture forms.

5. 5

   Shape the mixture into 4cm-wide balls, and store in a sealed container in the fridge until required. It’s that easy!