Nutty balls?! You betcha! These Nutty Balls were created by me for some quick energy on a trip this weekend (and boy were they needed!) This last weekend was a weekend of “Plan B”. Ever have one of those? A weekend where nothing that was planned works out, and a second Plan B must be implemented? If not…lucky you! If you know what I’m talking about then you need to put these nutty balls in your emergency (back up, go to, oops, not now) kit, or your cooler, whatever. 
I modified a recipe from one of my favorite cookbooks: Nourishing Traditions. These are yummy, healthy, and a great energizing snack in between meals. My nutty balls contain cocoa powder so they do have caffeine, however you can replace the cocoa powder with carob powder (just double measurement) which is caffeine free. This recipe makes about 16-20 nutty balls.
You will need:
- 2 cups + 1/2 cup raw (preferably organic) almonds
- 3 oz sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder (or 1/2 cup carob powder)
- 1/2 cup honey (preferably raw)
- 1 Tblsp vanilla extract (preferably organic)
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1 6 oz package fresh, unsweetened, coconut (I find this in the freezer section at my grocery store)
- Grind the 1/2 cup almonds in food processor (not too fine) and set aside in a bowl
- Put remaining 2 cups almond in food processor and grind fine but not to the point your making almond butter (a recipe I’ll share later!)
- In a bowl, mix cocoa powder, honey,vanilla, and sea salt and add this mixture to processor
- Add coconut meat and sesame seeds to processor and pulse all ingredients until just combined
- Roll heaping tablespoonful between hands forming a ball and place in previously ground almonds to coat. Set on parchment paper (or foil, or plastic) on a cookie sheet and continue until all of the mixture has been used up.
- Place nutty balls in fridge…they will set up in the cold. I do this then put them in a storage container. Keep stored in the fridge.
I hope you will try to make this Nutty Balls recipe, it is super easy and so delicious! Enjoy!