Happiness is...when energy balls meet dessert! Our new favorite obsession are these delicious little "treats" that are basically too healthy to even be called a treat? But since when did we only assign the word "treat" to something naughty???
I dare you to guess the secret ingredient...can you guess?
Well first let me say that all you need is a food processor and about 20 minutes (including rolling) to make these little beauties. I've owned my food processor for more than 20 years and I use it at least several times a week. It's been a great investment! I use it for cookies, brownies, energy bites, crusts, hummus, dips, thick sauces, and more.
You may have all the ingredients in your pantry ready to go.
All you need is...
Organic rolled oats (or oat flour)
peanut butter (or cashew butter)
maple syrup
date
vanilla
cacao
peptides (or protein powder)
salt
cinnamon
mini chocolate chips (or regular)...AND
the "secret" ingredient...Black Beans!!!
Black Beans are one of my favorite legumes. High in antioxidants, vitamins, protein and fiber, they are a great source of resistant starch. A prebiotic food rich in indigestible carbohydrates, they pass through the small intestine and helps feed beneficial microbes in the large intestine. Just 1/2 cup contains 7 grams of protein, 9 grams of fiber, and no fat. Use these black beauties to bring your microbiome back in to balance.
Oats are a go-to base for balls and bars. They act as a binder while offering a healthy dose of soluble fiber. They are naturally gluten-free but often processed in facilities that expose them to gluten. We recommend using organic oats because non-organic oats (including Quaker brand) have been found to contain some of the highest sources of glyphosate (the pesticide used in Round Up and other fertilizers known to cause cancer and other health problems). For a complete list, check http://irt-glyphosatepage.flywheelsites.com and ewg.org.
Cashew butter is rich in healthy fat and protein and has a delicious sweetness. It is more expensive than almond and peanut butters so feel free to swap it out if you want to save some money.
No guilty pleasure...just a satisfying, gut-friendly treat!
Raw Chocolate Brownie Bites
Makes one dozen
Equipment needed: food processor (I use this one)
Ingredients:
1/3 cup organic rolled oats
2 cups cooked black beans (or 1- 14.5 ounce can)
¼ cup cashew butter (or sub almond or peanut)
2 TB maple syrup
1 Medjool date, pitted and soaked if hard
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 TB raw cacao powder
1 TB protein powder of choice (I like this vegan one or this clean non-vegan one)
½ tsp Himalayan salt
½ tsp cinnamon (preferably Ceylon)
¼ cup Lily’s sugar free or Enjoy Life Mini-chips
Directions:
1) Add oats to the food processor and process until the oats become fine in texture. Be careful not to over-process.
2) Add the black beans, cashew butter, maple syrup, date, vanilla, cacao powder, protein powder (or one more TB cacao), salt and cinnamon and process until combined. The mixture should form a large ball.
3) Add the chocolate chips and pulse once or twice (pulse less if using mini chips).
4) Use a small ice cream scooper to form balls with clean hands. You may need to take a break once or twice to wash off hands.
5) If desired, roll the bites in optional coating: walnut “dust,” that’s the stuff you find at the bottom of your walnut package (shown above), raw cacao powder mixed with more cinnamon, melted chocolate with a touch of coconut oil (below), white sesame seeds
6) Store in fridge for up to one week.
DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?
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