Do you like a little something sweet with your cup of coffee? I know I do! If you eat breakfast early or like an early morning workout it can seem a long way from breakfast to lunch! A morning snack can fill that gap. I like to make sure I’m getting some protein and fibre in my snacks to keep me nice and full. I also like to make sure I’m adding in some nuts for some heart smart vitamins and a fibre boost. Often I find premade protein balls are just too sweet so I had the idea of adding in some dried figs rather than just using dates. I like the little bit of crunchy texture that the figs add. These balls are a great grab and go snack - perfect if you’re on the way to the gym for a workout.

Also - did you know that figs are great plant source of calcium and iron? One ball will add 4% of your calcium and iron needs (for a woman aged 18-50)

If you like these, you should also check out my lemon matcha protein balls.

INGREDIENTS

• 30 g unsweetened peanut butter - I like the mayver’s one as it has a little salt

• 135g raw almonds or walnuts

• 30g chocolate protein powder

• 7 fresh medjool dates, pitted

• 3 dried figs (I use the ones that are soft, if they are super dry soak in boiling water while you are doing the first step and use the water from the soak in the recipe)

• 1.5 heaped tablespoons of cocoa or raw cacao 

• 0.5 teaspoon natural vanilla paste

• 0.5 teaspoon ground  cinnamon

• 3-4 tablespoons of boiling water

• Pinch flaked salt

  This recipe is very flexible! You can use all figs, or all dates (10 pieces of fruit total). Don’t have peanut butter - use almond butter or more almonds/walnuts.

METHOD

1. Put almonds/walnuts, cinnamon, protein powder and cocoa in a high powered food processor and pulse in bursts until the mix looks crumbly.

2. Add the peanut butter, drained figs, dates and vanilla extract then process again until the mix starts to come together.

3. Add the water tablespoon by tablespoon,until the mixture comes together

4. Roll into about 17 balls.

5. If you like you could roll in coconut. Store in the fridge until you feel like a snack.

6. Store in the fridge for up to 4 weeks if they last that long.

NUTRITION

91 calories per ball, 4g of protein, 6 g carbs, 5 g of fat, 3g of fibre

Do you need more ideas for snacks? Check out these suggestions here.

Rachel is a university qualified Clinical Nutritionist based in Balmain. She is also the busy working mum of two teenagers, so is practical and realistic with her advice . Rachel offers private consultations to improve your family's health and well-being. You can find her on Facebook and Instagram for more healthy tips and tricks.