Are you looking for a healthy, nutritious snack that’s easy to make, totally delicious and can be eaten at any time of day? Well here are some fantastic energy bombs which will leave you feeling energized and full until your next meal. These ‘bombs’ contain several super foods which offer incredible health benefits. From chia seeds and cacao to hemp protein powder, flax seed not forgetting incredible coconut oil, this recipe has it all!
First, let’s take a look at the ingredients and the associated health benefits of each one.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of walnuts
- 1/2 cup of almonds
- 2/3 cup of medjool dates (pitted)
- 2 tablespoons of chia seeds
- 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseed
- 1 tablespoon of hemp protein powder
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon of cacao nibs
Walnuts, Whole – 1/2 Cup
There’s more to walnuts then just adding crunch and flavor to your food. These funky little nuts are chock full of protein, too – at around 7.5 grams per half cup. Walnuts are also well-known for their ability to boost cardiovascular health, help regulate blood sugar, and improve brain function. Furthermore, walnuts are loaded with powerful antioxidants which may help to reduce your risk of developing several forms of cancer, including prostate and breast cancers!
Almonds, Whole– 1/2 Cup
Almonds are another excellent source of protein – at a massive 15 grams per half cup. They’re also filled with several essential minerals like calcium, magnesium and iron – nutrients which a lot of us don’t get enough of in our daily diets. Like walnuts, almonds also contain potent antioxidants; and they can even help to boost your skin’s natural UV resistance.
Medjool Dates, Pitted – 2/3 Cup
Sweet and delicious, Medjool dates are nature’s candy! They’re also packed with both soluable and insoluable fiber which are known to help balance cholesterol levels, as well improve digestion and increase the bioavailability of other nutrients. And nutrients are something else that Medjool dates have in abudance: Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Zinc, Copper, and Manganese, just to name a few.
Furthermore, the natural sugars present in Medjool dates are easily converted into energy by our bodies. Combined with their other health benefits, this makes Medjool dates the perfect medium for our scrumptious little energy bombs!
Chia Seeds – 2 Tbsp
Ounce for ounce, Chia seeds are one of the most nutritious foods on the planet! They provide the body with calcium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, B vitamins, zinc and copper. Chia seeds are also packed with antioxidants, fiber, protein and healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
Not only do they help boost metabolism and energy levels, Chia seeds also provide support for cardiovascular health and digestion, among other things.
Get the full scoop on Chia seeds in this article!
Flaxseed, Ground – 2 Tbsp
Ground flaxseed is yet another protein- and nutrient-rich superfood. Like Chia seeds, flaxseed provides antioxidant support, fiber, minerals, protein and healthy fats. It is also a natural anti-inflammatory and is known to have a positive effect on cardiovascular, endocrine, digestive and immune systems.
Check out these 14 Fascinating Reasons to Eat More Flaxseed to learn more!
Hemp Protein Powder – 1 Tbsp
Hemp protein – made by milling shelled hemp seeds down to an ultra fine powdered form – contains concentrated doses of fiber, amino acids, minerals and fatty acids. It offers a powerful boost of natural energy which can help get you through an intense workout. Or it can give you the endurance to make it through the daily grind at your job, regardless of what you do.
You can read more about the nutritional benefits of eating hemp seeds here.
Coconut Oil – 1 Tbsp
This ingredient hardly needs an introduction. For most of us, coconut oil has become a daily staple in our diets and every other aspect of our lives!
The benefits of eating coconut oil (all other applications aside) include: boosting metabolism and weight loss, curbing unhealthy cravings and regulating appetite, increasing memory and concentration, normalizing blood sugar and cholesterol levels, cleansing the urinary tract, improving digestion, balancing hormones, reducing inflammation throughout the body, and possibly even preventing or treating certain forms of cancer.
That isn’t the full list of benefits that eating a spoonful or two of coconut oil every day will get you – that list is truly a long one. However, they are some of the more impressive ones.
So, of course, coconut oil made it onto the ingredients list for our natural energy bomb recipe. How could we resist?
Cacao Nibs – 1 Tbsp
Adding cacao nibs (aka, raw chocolate) to our energy bombs may seem like little more than an indulgence. However, that’s just not the case. Chocolate – sans sugar and milk – is just as health-beneficial as the other ingredients on our list. In its pure form, cacao is a powerhouse of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
From head to toe, it offers improvements for every part of the body, including: heightened mental, emotional, hormonal and reproductive functions; balanced blood-sugar, blood-pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels; healthier hair, skin and nail growth; as well as improved digestion, increased metabolism, and accelerated weight-loss capabilities.
Furthermore, the antioxidants naturally present in cacao provide increased protection against skin cancer and better natural UV resistance.
Who knew there were so many great reasons to eat chocolate?
How To Make Your Energy Bombs
Now that you’re familiar with the ingredients, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and make some energy bombs!
The process is super simple – just follow these 3 easy steps:
1. Chop Your Nuts and Seeds
Drop the walnuts, almonds, chia seeds and flaxseeds into a blender or food processor. Secure the lid and chop up your nuts and seeds until they take on a milled flour consistency.
2. Blend In Remaining Ingredients
Turn off the blades and add the pitted dates, coconut oil, cacao nibs and hemp protein powder. Replace the lid and blend again until the mixture becomes sticky and dough-like. (See above image for reference.)
3. Roll ‘Em Up!
Take mixture out of blender and roll small but mighty balls of pure deliciousness!
Depending on the size of balls you roll, this recipe should be enough to make around 10 – 12 energy bombs.
Further Recommended Reading
Want a little more “heavenly” with your “healthy”? Check out these other great articles for even more delicious ideas:
34 Delicious & Healthy Guilt Free Snacks Under 100 Calories
28 Innovative High Protein Breakfast Recipes To Keep You Full All Day
How To Turn 10 Of Your Favorite “Junk” Foods Into Healthy Delights
20 Creative & Tasty Ways to Make “Boring” Water Taste Like Heaven