Seriously, I have been in Chocolate Hazelnut Energy Balls heaven all week 😍!!! Oh my god, this recipe is unreal and so, so delicious. With it being back to school for most countries, fall approaching, and people perhaps wondering what they can snack on with their morning coffee (🙋🏼♀️) OR add to their childrens’ lunchboxes – this recipe is made for you. It is in fact so good that you could even make the balls a bit smaller and turn them into pralines 😉😋. You are welcome!
Let us be reasonable – chocolate and hazelnut is a tried and tested combination. I am not re-inventing the wheel here. It is something that works and that is loved all over the world. In fact, I absolutely love the combination. Perhaps I did not even know how much… I went through the recipe archive and found I have used it countless times in the past 🤣. Those options are linked further below.
Next to the absolute divine taste of these, I also love how quickly they come together. Just gently roast the hazelnuts and soak the dates and then a few minutes in the food processor and you are literally done with them. Easy and delicious. If you have been here for a while you know that is my preferred combination 😆.
Why are these Chocolate Hazelnut Energy Balls good for you?
Hazelnuts
Sweet and nutty hazelnuts. These little gems are a super delicious treat. They can be eaten raw, roasted, or ground into gluten-free flour. Hazelnut (also known as filbert) trees grow throughout Europe but are usually cultivated in Spain, Turkey, Italy, and the United States. Hazelnuts are rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fat (both the mono- and polyunsaturated kind). If you want to learn more about the difference – I have just written an entire post about the different kinds of fats. They also contain loads of vitamin E, magnesium, copper, manganese, and thiamin.
Hazelnuts are a rich source of antioxidants, the majority being called phenolic compounds. These phenolic compounds found in Hazelnuts have been shown to decrease blood cholesterol and inflammation levels. Hazelnuts have also been shown to be incredible for your heart health. Daily consumption of Hazelnuts decreases triglyceride and “bad” cholesterol levels. Artery health also appears to improve and inflammation in said arteries goes down. Blood pressure levels normalized when Hazelnuts were consumed daily by participants in studies. This is likely due to the combination of antioxidants, paired fiber, vitamin E, and magnesium’s ability to relax. Not too bad for a small and mighty nut!!
How can I adjust these Chocolate Hazelnut Energy Balls to my dietary requirements?
This recipe is vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free (be sure to use certified gluten-free oats if celiac). Due to the grains used, it is unfortunately not suitable for the paleo lifestyle. As it contains nuts, it is also not nut-free.
Similar Recipes on the Blog
As said above, I pulled together a small compilation for you of chocolate hazelnut flavored everything – you are welcome 😉. There is also another energy ball recipe in case you are falling in love with the idea as much as I am!!
- Matcha Green Tea Energy Bites
- These absolutely delicious Chocolate Hazelnut Brownie Bites are a breeze to make and completely grain-free as well!
- Chocolate Banana Pancakes. This is my husband’s number one favorite recipe and he recommends it to EVERYONE (I am not kidding – bless him 😇)
- Vegan Chocolate Hazelnut Creme – a delocious spread for your bread or rolls in the morning. Having some in the fridge as we speak 😋
And there you have it for this week 🤗. I hope you enjoy this absolute deliciousness!! As always, please let me know how you get on with the recipe. You can leave a comment below and/or rate the recipe. I look forward to your feedback!! Happy energy balling rolling everyone 🍫!
Chocolate Hazelnut Energy Balls
Course: SnackCuisine: Gluten-free energy ballsDifficulty: Easy17
energy balls10
minutes10
minutes30 minutes
Chocolate and hazelnut is a truly tested combination that gets combined in an easy energizing snack for this recipe! Enjoy!!
Ingredients
¾ cup (130 gr.) dates
1 cup 1 (135 gr.) hazelnuts
½ cup (85 gr.) oats
2 tbsp 2 chia seeds
2 tbsp 2 cocoa powder
pinch salt
1/4 cup 1/4 (60 ml.) water
How to
- Start by soaking the dates in warm water in order to soften for ca. 30 minutes
- Add the hazelnuts to a baking proof dish and gently roast at 180 degrees Celsius (350 Fahrenheit) for ca. 10 minutes until slightly fragrant. You do not need to pre-heat the oven, simply pop in. Once done, let slightly cool
- Add the hazelnuts and oats to a high-speed blender and blend until ground. Now add the dates, chia seeds, cocoa powder, pinch of salt, and blend until combined. If the dough is too sticky, slowly add a bit of water. I used about 1/4 cup.
- Once the dough comes together, slightly wet your hands and form balls from the dough. Place on a large plate and refrigerate for at least one hour before transferring to an air-tight container. Enjoy as a snack throughout the week!
