This is a baking blog. So the copious amounts of butter, sugars and generally fattening food stuffs is inevitable. But every once in a while, I like to lighten the load. These Quinoa Date Tahini Energy Balls are a great snack for anyone who wants a little boost without missing out on flavor or texture. In addition, this energy ball recipe is friendly for many dietary restrictions.
These Quinoa Date Tahini Energy Balls are gluten free, vegan and nut free
Not only are these energy balls a relatively healthy snack and this recipe is pretty damn delicious to boot. You get the full package with these energy boosting Quinoa Date Tahini Energy Balls. I personally have made it a habit to keep a batch of homemade energy balls around at all times. Then I have a healthy snack to turn to when hunger hits.
Energy balls are a perfect pick-me-up when you need a little boost
Whether, you're hitting that late afternoon wall and need a little something to lift your energy until dinner. Or just want something nutritious to snack on any time of day, energy balls can be just the ticket! Additionally, these Quinoa Date Tahini Energy Balls, or any of my other energy ball recipes, are ideal for powering up pre or post workout.
More Energy Ball recipes from Baking The Goods
Healthy ingredients are the cornerstone of this energy ball recipe
Aside from being a healthy and nutritious snack, this energy ball recipe is multi-dimensional in the flavor and texture departments. The ingredients play off of each other so well, you may never reach for store-bought granola bars again.
- Puffed Quinoa adds warm nutty flavor and a delicate crunch to the energy balls.
- Dates provide natural brown sugary sweetness with a plush texture that acts as a sticky binder to the mixture.
- Tahini is made from ground sesame seeds and imparts a pleasantly bitter and toasty flavor. It too assists in binding the energy balls together. Plus, tahini contains healthy fats, it's a great source of fiber it's good for bone health.
- Date Syrup add deep, molasses like characteristics and brings natural sweetness to balance the earthy flavors of the tahini. Bonus, Date Syrup is nutrient dense and is low on the glycemic index. Which means it delivers antioxidants, fiber and loads of vitamins and minerals while maintaining slower, sustained blood glucose levels.
- Flax seeds are another power ingredient that offer heart and gut health benefits.
- Spices layer in flavor and bring warmth and depth to this recipe. A trifecta of ginger, cinnamon and cardamom blend together to compliment the toasty, sweet and earthy flavors of these Quinoa Date Tahini Energy Balls. Plus a pinch of salt to helps to highlight all of those flavors.
- Sesame seeds encrust the outside of these quinoa, tahini and date based energy balls. Keeping all of that sticky stuff in the center while creating a slightly nutty and crunchy outer shell. Feel free to use black sesame seeds, white sesame seeds or a blend of both!
One of the things that makes this recipe so fun, is that you actually puff the quinoa yourself
The process is simple and a lot like popping popcorn. It gently changes the texture of uncooked quinoa into an airy, crunchy snackable grain! Did you even know you could puff your own quinoa
? I didn't either but I am so glad I do now. I've even added puffed quinoa to my chocolate chip cookies and it is a total textural one upper!
This energy ball recipe comes together in minutes but packs long lasting energy
It's safe to say energy balls are a staple around my house as they are the perfect little popper to get through those long, draggy afternoons. They've even been known to motivate me to strap on my running shoes and head out for a long run. I promise if you take the 15 minutes to make these Quinoa Date Tahini Energy Balls, you will find yourself reaching for these in times of hunger rather than pre packaged junk food you may have lying around.
Whether you're a gluten free vegan with a nut allergy. You're avoiding refined sugars. Or you're simply looking for a nutritious snack, these Quinoa Date Tahini Energy Balls are just what you need to stay satisfied and not feel like you're missing out on the good things in life. The return on investment when making homemade energy balls is always worth it!
If you've never heard of or tried Just Date Syrup
, be sure to check it out at justdatesyrup.com. My brilliant friend Sylvie is the founder and creator of Just Date Syrup and she's done extensive research on the health benefits of date syrup. If you don't have any yet and want to make this recipe asap, you can sub in another syrup of your choice - maple, agave, etc. Or honey, but if you use honey, technically it won't be a vegan recipe anymore.
Recipe
Quinoa Date Tahini Energy Balls
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 18 balls
Description
These Quinoa Date Tahini Energy Balls will keep your energy up with warm spices in a chewy date & tahini base studded with crunchy, puffed quinoa & sesame seeds.
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups quinoa, dry and uncooked
- 1 cup pitted Medjool dates (15-ish)
- ¾ cup tahini
- ¼ cup date syrup
- ¼ cup flax seeds
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¾ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 3 tablespoons sesame seeds, black, white or a blend of both
Instructions
- Heat a heavy, deep pan over medium - high heat until it's ripping hot and almost smoking. Add a few grains of quinoa to test how if your pan is hot enough, they should start to puff and pop right away.
Then add a layer of quinoa to the hot pan, just enough to cover the bottom in a single layer without overlapping. Turn the heat down to medium, gently swirl or stir the quinoa grains by shaking the pot to prevent burning.You can see and hear them pop, continue shaking until they look golden and smell toasty and have mostly stopped popping. It should only take a minute. It happens quick so be careful not to burn them.
Once the popping stops, immediately pour the grains onto a baking sheet to cool down.
You may need to work in batches.*Keep in mind, the puff is very subtle, they look almost the same as dry quinoa but puff up a little bit and take on an airy and crunchy texture.
- Add the pitted dates, tahini, date syrup, spices and salt to a blender or food processor and blend until it becomes a smooth mass. Remove from blender and add to a large mixing bowl.
*Some tahinis are more oily than others, so if the mixture seems excessively oily, gently dab up the excess oil with paper towels. - Add the flax seeds and cooled, puffed quinoa and stir until fully combined.
- Use a medium cookie scoop to shape 18-ish energy balls. Roll the balls in sesame seeds to finish. That's it, so easy!
Notes
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep fresh up to a week.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: Energy Balls
Rebekka Meili says
Very yummy!😋
Becky Sue says
So glad to hear you enjoyed the recipe!