Nutty ‘Energy Balls’ with Dates & Salted Tahini

Gooey Medjool dates & savory tahini make for the ultimate snack or sweet treat!

Satisfy your sweet tooth with Nutty Energy Balls, made with cashews, tahini and sea salt. Perhaps you have tried dates and decided they weren’t for you–you can still love this recipe. Truth be told, I don’t like dates alone. But mix them with cashews, tahini and sea salt and that’s a different story. All you need to make these delicious treats are 4 simple ingredients and a few minutes of prep time. Even better, they store for months in the freezer and only take 10 minutes to thaw.

What makes a dessert “healthy”?

Unfortunately, the word “healthy” has been torn apart and pieced back together to fit whatever dogma is being pushed at that moment. For that reason, I prefer to highlight a recipe’s capability to provide nutrients to the body rather than throw a “healthy” label on it. A recipe that satisfies my sweet tooth and gives my body nutrients to function well is a win, win, in my book! Nutty ‘Energy Balls’ with dates & salted tahini fit the bill for a nutrient dense treat. The balance of fat, carbs and sugar will definitely give you an energy boost!

What are dates?

Dates are in the stone fruit family, as are mangos and avocados. They grow in bunches on trees, similar to coconuts. Although loaded with natural sweetness, they are fiber rich. As a result, blood sugar levels do not skyrocket after eating a few. When the finish line of pregnancy was just around the corner, I gave my food processor a workout whizzing these date ball up. Not only are they are delicious and satisfying (as all food should be), but there is scientific evidence that eating dates throughout the last month of pregnancy could help facilitate childbirth. Shorter and easier childbirth? Sign me up! I did have a seamless labor and delivery. Was it the dates? Who knows. But regardless, these date balls are the bomb.

What do dates taste like?

Dates are very sweet, similar to raisins but with caramel undertones. They are a perfect companion to something savory, such as, bacon or nuts.

Why tahini?

Our next star ingredient: Tahini. Tahini is ground up sesame seeds. It is commonly used in middle eastern cuisine. Hummus is the most widely known recipe that utilizes tahini. However, tahini’s mild nuttiness and creamy consistency lends well to stir fry’s, dressings and dips. Mixing tahini with dates creates a balanced sweet treat. When testing out different brands, compare the texture and consistency. Tahini should be runny and smooth. My favorite brand (and I’ve tried many!) is Mighty Sesame Co. Organic Tahini. The only ingredient is–you guessed it– ground sesame seeds. Plus, to avoid a mess, it comes in a squeezable container.

Helpful notes:

1. Use Medjool dates. They are plumper and juicer.
2. If dates seem dry, boil water and soak them for 10 minutes.
3. Make sure you pit your dates! Do this by tearing the date in half.
4. Date ‘Energy Balls’ can be stored in the freezer for up to 4 months. Thawing is as easy as removing from the freezer and letting them sit out for 10 minutes.

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