Naming recipes can be challenging at times. I thought about calling this one Date Nut Balls, but that name just doesn’t live up to the way I feel about these scrumptious little treats. I debated the moniker Protein Balls, but that didn’t seem fitting either. Finally I thought, If I were going to come up with a nutritious “candy,” these bite-size goodies would be it.
They’re packed with wholesome ingredients, like oats, nuts, and dried fruit, but when you add the chocolate chips and mix all the ingredients together, they look and taste much more like bonbons than something that’s good for you. I’ll let you figure out what you want to call them, but you’d better think fast, because that’s how quick they’re going to disappear!
¼ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
½ cup raw unsalted cashews
½ cup raw unsalted almonds
⅓ cup semisweet or dark chocolate morsels
10 large Medjool dates, pitted and chopped (about 1 cup)
1. Place the oats in a food processor and grind to a powder.
2. Add the nuts and pulse until they become small pieces.
3. Place the chocolate morsels and dates in the food processor and pulse until everything comes together. The mixture will be thick and sticky.
4. Using a small ice cream scoop or a teaspoon measure, shape the mixture into small balls.
TIP: The candy can be stored for up to a week, covered, at room temperature, refrigerated for up to a month, or frozen for up to 4 months.