Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

Recipe

These tasty little snacks are perfect for an afternoon treat or to have with a cup of tea. Feel free to use any natural nuts or mixed nuts to add a little variety. They can be stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, if they last that long.

Ingredients

• 250g dates
• 130g crunchy peanut butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla essence
• 2 tablespoons LSA (Linseed, Sunflower & Almond mix)
• 80g mixed nuts (natural unsalted)
• 1 cup boiling water
• 20g brown rice puffs
• 40g dark chocolate (to decorate)

Method

1. Soak the dates in boiling water for 20 minutes - drain dates thoroughly and discard the water
2. In a food processor blend the peanut butter, vanilla essence, LSA and dates. Add the nuts and lightly pulse to roughly chop (and keep their crunch)
3. Place the brown rice puffs in a small bowl.
4. With damp hands, roll balls into 25-30g sizes (around about the size of a 50 cent piece) and dip into the brown rice puffs and roll until the brown rice puffs are attached to the date ball.
5. Place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl/jug and microwave for 2 minutes in 1 minute intervals. If you do not have a microwave, place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. The water must not touch the bottom of the bowl. Heat gently and stir the chocolate until it melts.
6. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the balls and allow to cool before storing them in an airtight container.
7. The chocolate peanut butter balls can be stored in the fridge for 2 weeks.

Chef's hint

● For an easy method of decorating the balls with the melted chocolate, scrape the melted chocolate into a plastic ziplock bag and cut a small hole in one corner. This is a great way to avoid mess and waste chocolate.

● LSA is available at all large supermarkets in the health food aisle or can be made at home by blending equal measures of linseed (flaxseed), sunflower seeds and almonds in a food processor to create a fine powder. LSA is high in protein and a low GI sprinkle that can be added to porridge, smoothies or used in these scrumptious little balls.

Nutrition information:

Carbohydrate exchanges: 1