Dark Chocolate Energy Balls

Ingredients

The base of our energy balls are made with 3 flavorful and wholesome ingredients: peanut butter, oats and honey. To give them their dark chocolate and sea salt flavor, I add cocoa powder, dark chocolate chips, and ground sea salt. You can also add ground flax and chia seeds, but those are totally optional.

• Peanut butter: peanut butter is the glue that keeps the balls together. You can substitute almond butter or other nut butters, although I haven't done this yet. Peanut butter has a ton of protein. (and what kid doesn't love peanut butter!)
• Oats: I use old fashioned or quick oats. Old fashioned oats are bigger flakes so they have a heartier texture but either one works great. They are both full of protein, fiber, and minerals like zinc and iron. Because of all these vitamins and minerals, oats keep the belly full for longer!
• Honey: honey is an all natural sweetener, which gives the energy balls a hint of sweetness
• Cocoa powder: I use unsweetened cocoa powder, which is another great source of fiber, protein, and iron. The bad: it's high in fat. But that's okay! We all need a little fat and energy balls are not meant to be eaten like a bag of chips anyway.
• Dark chocolate chips: ah, dark chocolate. My absolute favorite kind of chocolate. Aside from tasting amazing, it is loaded with antioxidants! Use anywhere from ½ to 1 cup, depending on how chocolaty you want your snacks, and you can use morsels, mini's, or chunks.
• Sea salt: sea salt is a must! Do not use table salt! Sea salt is produced through evaporation and the minerals that are left behind add an amazing flavor to this salt. I was afraid of sea salt years ago because of its strength, but now that I understand the difference between table and sea salt, it's one of my favorite things. Start small if you're not familiar with it, ½ tablespoon, and add more after tasting.
• Chia seeds (optional): I like adding 1-2 tablespoons of chia to most of my energy balls because it is high in fiber, antioxidants, and omega-3s. However, I do not use it in these, for no particular reason. If you don't know if you like chia seeds, start with a smaller amount. Some people don't like the texture when there are too many. When chia is immersed in liquid, a gooey shell forms around the seed, which can feel gooey.
• Ground flax (optional): flax is full of omega-3s and cancer-fighting minerals. I love adding flax for this reason, but don't usually use it in these.

How To Make Energy Bites

1. Add all ingredients into a bowl and mix using a spoon. I prefer starting with a spoon and then using my hand. You can use an electric stand mixer on low using a dough hook.
2. Once you're done mixing, roll the batter into 1 inch balls (approximately 2 tablespoons of batter). You can make them bigger or smaller, but this seems like the rule of thumb for energy ball size. *If the balls don't stick well, add a little more peanut butter, a few tablespoons at a time.
3. Put the balls on parchment paper or a plate and chill for 1-2 hours before enjoying.

How To Store

Fridge: store in a covered container for up to 1 week.
Freezer: store in freezer safe containers for about 6 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for a few hours.