If you’re looking for a healthy treat to help start your new year on the right foot, why not give these tasty energy balls a go? The nutrient-dense snacks are packed full of whole-food ingredients like dates, almond butter and oats, providing you with a convenient on-the-go bite that will help to sustain your energy.

Bring the classic chocolate orange taste of Christmas into the new year, or mix it up with your favourite flavours. The beauty of these energy balls is that you can customise them to your preferred taste, and make different variations each time. Switch up the whole nuts or nut butter, add some coconut oil or coat in desiccated coconut. Got some dried cranberries or other fruit left over from Christmas? Chuck them in the mix!

They’re super easy to make, so have fun exploring different flavour combinations.

Ingredients (makes 12-16 balls):
200g medjool dates (about 10 dates)
60g porridge oats
3 tsp cocoa powder
1 tbsp almond butter
40g cashews
Zest of one orange
40g dark chocolate chips (minimum 70% cocoa solids)

Method:
1. Put the dates in a food processor and pulse until they are chopped into small pieces.

2. Add the oats, cocoa powder, almond butter, cashews and orange zest, and pulse until it’s fully mixed. The mixture will resemble crumbs.

3. Pour the mixture into a glass bowl, add the chocolate chips and stir.

4. Take about one tablespoon of mixture and roll into a ball. If you find the mixture isn’t binding well enough, add a little more nut butter to the food processor and give it a quick mix.

5. Continue rolling balls until the mixture has all been used.

6. Place the balls into the fridge for about half an hour to allow them to set.

7. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks (if they last that long!) or in the freezer for up to two months.