Do you have any secret food indulgences? Something you eat when no one is looking? I’m hoping that at least one person is answering yes to this question so I don’t feel like a complete food obsessed weirdo. My secret food indulgence is uncooked dough and batter. I like cookies but I LOVE cookie dough. Usually if a recipe makes 24 cookies, only 12 will make it into the oven while the rest will be eaten in spoonfuls from the mixing bowl.
My obsession isn’t limited to cookie dough, I also love cake batter, especially banana bread with big lumps of banana. I was so excited when I came up with this recipe for banana bread energy balls because they taste exactly like banana bread (and I have finally discovered a socially acceptable way to eat batter!). I keep a batch of these in a container in the freezer and have one or two as a snack before going to the gym or after dinner to satisfy a sweet tooth.
These energy balls not only taste delicious but are also good for you. Bananas have an endless list of health benefits, they aid digestion, stimulate the growth of good bacteria in the gut and are credited with the ability to lower blood pressure and protect against heart attack and stroke. Another ingredient in these balls is walnuts which support brain health, help with weight management, fight heart disease and strengthen hair growth. Keep these facts in mind when you are sneaking your fourth or fifth energy ball from the freezer, and feel the guilt melt away. Happy snacking!
*If you find the batter to be too sticky, grind up an additional 1/4 of a cup of walnuts and roll the balls in the walnuts until they are coated in crumbs.
If you make this recipe let me know in the comment section below, I would love to hear what you think or take a photo and tag me (@everylastbite_) on Instagram, I love seeing your photos!
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups dried unsweetened banana chips *
- 1/4 cup dates
- 1 ripe banana
- 1 tbsp coconut flour
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup walnuts
Instructions
- If your banana chips are quite chewy, soak them in water for a few minutes to soften them up
- Place the banana chips and dates in a food processor and blend for 2-3 minutes until they have broken down into small bits.
- Add in the remaining ingredients and continue to blend until a batter is formed and there are no large chunks remaining
- Scoop out tablespoon sized amounts of the mixture and roll into balls. This mixture is quite sticky so you may need to wet your hands in between rolling. If the mixture is too sticky, grind up a quarter of a cup of walnuts and roll the balls in the walnut crumbs until they are completely coated
- Store the balls in a container in the freezer for up to a month. They are best enjoyed straight from the freezer.
Notes
Tried This Recipe?
Leave a comment below and let us know how it was!
Just made, these are incredible
If anyone has a nutrition table for this recipe can you pls send it to me
Estimated Nutrition Per 1-Inch Ball (Based on a 16-Ball Yield)
• Calories: ~71 kcal
• Carbohydrates: ~8g
• Dietary Fiber: ~1.3g
• Sugars: ~4.6g
• Fat: ~4.3g
• Protein: ~0.8g
Made the apple pie bites and they are delicious. My question here – is there a substitute for the coconut flour?
So happy you enjoyed the Apple Pie Balls! Because this recipe uses a banana, they are quite moist so the coconut flour is required so absorb some of the moisture and make them easier to roll. You could sub the coconut flour for finely ground walnuts or almond flour.