It goes without saying that I am obsessed with making balls, energy bites, fat balls; whatever you want to call them. I make them a few times a week and eat about 5 a day. I've stopped buying packaged snacks for numerous reasons and will never STOP making these! I tend to make the same ones each week out of laziness but every once and a while I will switch up the base and add in a few extra things to change up the flavor. 

This week; for the base I used brazil nuts and hazelnuts. For spices I used turmeric, cinnamon, vanilla, and sea salt. Added my usual go to's of maca powder, raw cacao, hemp seeds, and ground flaxseeds. Then added in some almond butter, coconut butter, and unsweetened shredded coconut flakes. They came out so good. The texture was perfect; they were fudge like this time because I added less wet ingredients and left them more on the crunchy side. They also had a hint mix between an almond joy and a nutella flavor because of the hazelnut combo mixed with the shredded coconut, the raw cacao, the almond butter, and the coconut butter.  

I've been using hazelnuts in many of the energy bites that I've been making but haven't posted any on my blog, because truthfully they are one of my favorite nuts, especially when roasted. I also decided to use brazil nuts because of their benefits:

1. Anti-inflammatory (they contain selenium)
2. Improves your mood (selenium, proven to help fight depression, anxiety and your mood) 
3. Digestive System: High fiber content
4. Contains high levels of magnesium

SO, I decided to combine the brazil nuts with raw cacao (boosts mood, contains antioxidants, high fiber content, antidepressant), maca powder (balances hormones, increase energy, balance your mood) turmeric (anti-inflammatory), cinnamon (balances blood sugar levels) coconut butter (healthy fats) hemp seeds (easily digested protein, omega 3's, fiber) ground flaxseeds (fiber = digestion!, good for healthy skin/hair, omega 3's) 

Therefore, these little bites are so packed with serious benefits! They really make the perfect snack in the morning, before / after working out, when you need something chocolate-y, after dinner, the time of the month, or right before bed! They are super simple to make too and will last up to two weeks in the fridge or longer in the freezer. 

What you need: 
Yields: 15 larger sized bites 

1 cup brazil nuts
1 cup hazelnuts (sub walnuts or almonds)
3 tbsp. unsweetened shredded coconut flakes
2 tbsp ceylon cinnamon (regular is fine, I just love this flavor) 
1 tbsp. maca powder
3 tbsp. hemp seeds
2 tbsp. ground flax seeds
5 tbsp. Philosophie Cacao Magic (more if you prefer richer taste)*
2 pinches sea salt
1-2 tsp. turmeric powder (adjust to preference) 
1 tbsp. vanilla
1 tbsp. coconut butter
1/2 cup almond butter (may need more depending if the dough is sticking together)

*can use regular cacao powder, but I use the Cacao Magic as it is loaded with superfoods, filled with 10 grams of protein per serving and no sugars!

Optional:
Sweetener of choice (maple syrup or dates) see notes below, in directions. 
*Would start off with 2 tbsp of sweetener of choice then add more if needed
*Would start with 4 dates then add more if needed. Add the dates chopped. 

What you need to do: 

1. First add the nuts to your food. Chop, but not until flour consistency. I blended mine to leave them with a little bit of a crunch. 

2. Add all of the dry ingredients next. Pulse until well combined. 

3. Add the liquid ingredients. If you are using dates, add them here, chopped. Blend together until well combined. 

** At this point, a dough should come together, but it should not be fudge like, but rather a little crumbly but easy to form into balls using your hands. If the batter it too crumbly either add water (1 tbsp at a time) OR more almond butter OR sweetener (1 tbsp at a time) depending on taste preference. For example, if they are not sweet enough to your taste, go with maple syrup or add in another chopped date, but if they are perfect tasting, go with a small amount of almond butter. For the ones in the picture above I did NOT add any sweetener in them. I followed the recipe exactly above. 

4. Form into balls and sprinkle with cinnamon, turmeric, and shredded coconut. 

5. Store in an air tight container in fridge or freezer! 

Happy eating!!