Date and Nut Snack Balls Recipe

These are just the thing when only something sweet will do… The bite-sized snack balls are packed with nutritious, energy-sustaining nuts, seeds and fruit.

Makes

Preparation time:

15 minutes, plus chilling

Ingredients

50g (2oz) cashew nuts
50g (2oz) hazelnuts
1 tbsp sunflower seeds
Finely grated rind of 1 orange
3 tbsp orange juice
100g (3½oz) ready-to-eat dried dates
1 heaped tbsp cocoa powder, plus extra for dusting
3 tbsp desiccated coconut

Method

1. Place the nuts and seeds in a food processor and grind to a coarse powder. Tip the mixture into a bowl and stir in the orange rind.

2. Put the orange juice and dates in the processor and blend to a purée, scraping down the sides of the jug if necessary. Add the date mixture to the ground nuts and seeds, then stir in the cocoa powder and combine to form a coarse paste.

3. Place some extra cocoa powder and the coconut on separate plates. Shape the date mixture into 12 walnut-sized balls, then roll half in the cocoa powder and half in the coconut until they are all evenly coated.

4. Transfer the balls to a plate, cover and chill for 1 hour before serving. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Tips and tricks: You could use raw cacao powder instead of the cocoa, if you can find it.

Recipe courtesy of Dairy-Free Food for Kids by Nicola Graimes, published by Hamlyn, £12.99

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