Paleo, Chocolate Truffle Protein Balls

If ever there was a way of combining a healthy post-workout snack with chocolate then I was determined to find it. And, now that I have, I am going to share it with you lovely lot.

To make you will need:

1 cup brazil nuts

1 cup cashew nuts

1 cup ground almonds/almond meal

4 -5 semi dried figs (they need to be squidgy enough to blend so may need to be rehydrated if too dry)

1 tablespoon coconut oil

1 tablespoon syrup (I am using date syrup but honey, agave or rice malt are also great)

1 tablespoon light tahini

1 & 1/2 tablespoon nut butter (I am using cashew but my favourite is almond)

1 tablespoon raw cacao powder

1 tablespoon cocoa powder

2 - 3 tablespoons chia seeds

...we also added 1 tablespoon of Raw Chi Luminosity powder but this is not essential and could be substituted for 1 tablespoon of protein powder or an extra 1/2 tablespoon of cacao/cocoa powder

1 cup dried fruit of your choice (I am using dried sour cherries but goji berries are my other favourite)

Recipe makes around 20 truffle-sized balls.

1. Add the first group of ingredients to a food processor and blend until the ingredients are well mixed but still has quite a gritty, chunky texture - you do not want the mixture to be too smooth as you will be doing more blending in moment.

2. Now, add the second group of ingredients and blend again. You may need to pulse your food processor to begin with in order to get an even distribution of powder.

3. Toss in your dried fruit of choice and just pulse your food processor so that it mixes but doesn't break down the fruit too much.

4. Now the messy part! Scoop out a dessert-spoon-sized amount of the mixture and roll into a ball placing it on a grease-proof covered baking tray (or other non-stick surface) once done. Repeat the process until all the mixture is gone.

5. Pop your little truffles in the fridge for as long as you can resist! They get better and better the longer they are left so, trust me, the wait is worth it. But, if you really can't wait then half an hour will do.

I left mine plain but if you fancy a more sophisticated look then try rolling the protein balls in some cocoa powder or dessicated coconut before placing in the fridge. 

These protein balls will last up to two weeks if stored in the fridge (if you don't scoff them all within a couple of days like I do). Also, why not try mixing up the flavours by adding in a pinch of cinnamon for a hint of spice, walnuts instead of cashews for a crunchier texture, or, for those savoury tasted people out there, even a sprinkling of salt.