We love almond butters and oils here at Bartholomew Sisters. From our facial serums to our body creams, we can’t get enough of the stuff. This is primarily because of almonds’ nutritional value: the tree nuts are rich in vitamin E (which moisturizes dry skin and reduces the appearance of scars) and copper (which facilitates collagen and elastin production, thus strengthening the epidermis). These nutrients work wonders on our skin when applied via lotion or serum.
But you can also reap these benefits by working almonds into your regular diet. And doing so doesn’t have to be a chore. In fact, we love these almond butter-based no-bake energy balls for exactly this reason. Perfect for those with a sweet tooth, these balls can be prepared in advance in just three easy steps, making it quick and simple to get your daily requirements of vitamin E, copper, and other necessary nutrients. They’re vegan, gluten-free, and easy to make in advance; not to mention, they’re a great source of protein, so they’ll keep you alert and energized through even the longest of days.
Check it out.
3-step no-bake vegan coconut almond butter energy balls
Total prep time: Approx. 10 mins
Yield: Approx. 17 energy balls
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup ground flax seed
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1/2 cup raw honey
1/2 cup almond butter
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips
INSTRUCTIONS
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, stirring with a wooden spoon.
Using small spoons and your hands, clump the mixture into 1-inch balls. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Warning: This step could get sticky -- to avoid getting your hands dirty, consider wearing gloves.
Refrigerate the balls for at least 2 hours, until hardened. Serve or store to eat later.
Recipe adapted from joyfulhealthyeats.com.
