Recipe: Toasted Quinoa and Almond Date Balls

They’re almost too good to be true: treats that are nutritious and naturally delicious! Quinoa and oats offer whole-grain nutrition and fiber, while hemp and chia seeds, almonds and almond butter serve up nutritious fats and protein. Medjool dates, bursting with natural sweetness, provide minerals like magnesium and a number of important B vitamins to support the respiration and metabolism of every single cell in your body. And the spices contain beneficial phytonutrients. You won’t get any of that from junk food! Pop ‘em in your mouth and enjoy.

Ingredients

1 cup cooked (and cooled) quinoa
1 cup rolled oats
½ cup sliced almonds
5 teaspoons real maple syrup
5 ounces pitted Medjool dates (about 6)
¼ cup almond butter
1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon grated nutmeg
⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons hulled hemp seeds
1 tablespoon chia seeds

Instructions

1. Heat the oven to 350°. Pour the quinoa and oats into a medium-sized mixing bowl and drizzle with maple syrup. Use your fingertips to combine the quinoa, oats and syrup, making sure the quinoa and oats are evenly coated. Pour out the grains onto a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Bake 20 to 25 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until grains are golden brown and crisp. Let cool.
2. Put the almonds in a small skillet over medium heat. Cook, tossing often, until golden brown and toasted, 3 to 5 minutes. Let cool.
3. In a food processor, combine the dates, almond butter, coconut oil, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Pulse several times until combined and smooth. Pour into a large bowl. Add the almonds, hemp seeds, chia seeds and toasted quinoa and oats. Mix well with your hands.
4. Shape into 24 one-inch balls. Store in an airtight container for up to one week.

Nutritional information per serving

Yield: 12 servings

Calories 197
Total fat 9.5 g
Saturated fat 1.8 g
Protein 5 g
Carbohydrates 24 g
Dietary fiber 4 g
Naturally occurring sugar 6.9 g
Added sugar 2.1 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium16 mg

Developed by Sara Quessenberry for Cleveland Clinic Wellness