RECIPE: Peanut butter, date and cacao power balls

Perfect for helping you recover from a workout, these protein-rich balls also contain fibre-rich dates and an (optional) pinch of chilli powder to power your day. They’ll keep for about a week in the fridge, but you can freeze them, too.  

Peanut butter, date and cacao power balls

Makes 20 balls 

Prep time: 25 minutes

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, paleo 

Ingredients

+ 1 cup pitted dried dates

+ 4 tbsp crunchy peanut butter

+ 2 tbsp cacao powder 

+ 1 pinch chilli powder, optional

+ 1 cup pecan nuts

+ 4 tbsp maple syrup, plus extra if needed

How to make

Place dates, peanut butter, cacao and chilli powder, if using, into a food processor and blend to a paste.

Add pecans and maple syrup and blend to a stiff, chunky mixture. If necessary, add more maple syrup to ensure mixture can be formed into balls.

Roll mixture into bite-sized balls.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.