Recipe - Chocolate Energy Balls

Today I fancied a pick-me-up and some chocolate, so I thought I'd make some quick and easy energy balls, as I had all the ingredients in the house. I feel that most of what I share in terms of recipes (if you can even call that) is coming from playing around, intuitively adding this and that and hoping for the best. And most of the time, it works out. I do have to get into the habit of noting down what I actually did. Rarely am I able to replicate the exact same thing, if not written down, as I get inspired as I go along. This time, though, I wrote it down. Lucky you!

What you need

I counted the amount of balls I got out of this batch; 26. I reckon, depending on the size, you'll get anything between 25 - 30 yummy chocolate energy balls.

• 170g rolled oats
• 30g cacao nibs
• 3 tbsp cacao powder (if you don't want it quite so intense, use 2 tbsp)
• 2 tbsp chia seeds
• 75ml water
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• a little bit more water if the dough is too dry
• a blender to do the hard work for you

How to make it

Mix the chia seeds and water together. You can start with this step first and then measure everything else out and add it to the blender. By the time you're done, the chia seeds will have become all gooey and sticky. When you have this texture, add it to the rest of the ingredients in the blender.

Pulse it first and scrape the sides to blend all of it properly. If you feel that the dough is too dry, add water gradually to not make it too liquid.

Get some plates out and start getting your hands dirty (make sure to wash your hands before). I take a tablespoon (same that I measured ingredients with) and scoop a little on to the palm of my hand and then roll the dough into a ball with both palms.

As soon as you filled up a plate, put it in the freezer.

Give it about 30 minutes before digging in. Though I did eat a "leftover chunk" with the spoon.