Nutty Blueberry Protein Balls

I posted a picture of our breakfast protein balls this morning on Instagram and got a lot of interest so I want to share the recipe!

These little dudes are an awesome little breakfast treat. Make them the night before and sleep in 20 extra minutes! They are very easy to make and packed with yummy, healthy, goodness. 

The recipe comes from "Primal Blueprint Quick & Easy Meals" 

"These little balls of protein are packed with tons of healthy fat and are the perfect snack when you're on the run.  They're also a healthy way to satisfy a sweet tooth.  Change the flavor of Nutty Blueberry Protein Balls by using different types of nuts each time you make them.  Other variations include adding cinnamon, dark chocolate, or dried fruit instead of fresh.  Or, instead of rolling them in coconut flakes, try sesame seeds. "

Time in the kitchen: 15 minutes

Servings: 12 balls (health information based on serving size of 2)

What you need:

4 dates, pits removed

1 cup walnuts

1/2 cup macadamia nuts (we used 1/4 almonds, 1/4 pecans because macadamia nuts are expensive)

2 tablespoons coconut oil

1/2 cup fresh or defrosted blueberries (we used organic frozen blueberries)

1/2 unsweetened shredded coconut

THEN, we added 2 other ingredients ourselves

1 tablespoon chia seeds

1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin (which is pure protein--find it here)

What you do:

They call for a food processor--we use our smaller ninja to blend all of this together and it works just fine--so do not worry if you don't own a food processor

Pulverize dates in a food processor until a paste forms, anywhere from 40-60 continual seconds. The paste will typically come together in a clump. If you need to pulverize more to make the clump, do so. 

Add walnuts and macadamia (almonds or pecans) and blend until very finely chopped

With the blade still running (if you have a food processor), drizzle in melted coconut oil and stop as soon as the oil is blended in. If you aren't using a food processor, just pour in all the melted coconut oil and then blend. It will blend just fine. 

I've found to perfectly melt the coconut oil, put in microwave for 40 seconds. 

Scrape the batter into a bowl and stir in the blueberries and 1/4 coconut (I stir in all 1/2 of coconut because rolling the balls in it is too tedious for me). 

Also, if you choose to use the chia seeds and gelatin, stir it into the batter as well. 

Form the batter into round balls, then roll in leftover shredded coconut (if you so choose). 

Refrigerate for snacking later!

The cookbook recommends eating one immediately but we've found that we like them after they've been chilled. 

Health information:

Calories-375

Fat-29

Carbohydrates-22

Dietary Fiber-4

Protein-5 

We thought that the amount of protein was very low for these "protein balls" which is why we add the unflavored gelatin that is pure protein! 

Give it a try and let me know what you think!