This recipe is one of my favourite recipes and it’s not only because it tastes like Ferrero Rocher but also because it doesn’t contain any almonds or cashews. In the past I overused these nuts for my recipes and my not so healthy gut has decided to become intolerant to them.

Most of the energy ball recipes use almonds and/or cashews because of their texture. In fact they are used to make pretty much everything in the plant based world: cheese, desserts, cream sauces etc. So unless I make my own treats, it’s really hard for me to enjoy store bought plant based desserts that nowadays can be find in every cafes and markets.

These balls can be easily enjoyed by the biggest chocolate eaters. I still haven’t find someone that doesn’t fall in love with them. They are incredibly sweet, chocolatey, crunchy and nutty.

Over the months I have improved the recipe to make it more nutritious and filling so it can be your guilty free afternoon pick me up that will keep you full until dinner.

Ferrero Rocher protein balls

Vegan, Gluten free, Grain free, Paleo, Refined sugar free

Serve: Makes 9 balls

Ingredients

1 1/4 cup pitted Medjool dates
1 Tbsp hazenut butter
1/2 cup roasted hazelnuts
1 Tbsp raw cacao powder
1 Tbsp vegan cacao protein powder
Pinch of Himalayan salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Instructions

Add all ingredients to a food processor and blend until creamy.

Compress and roll mixture into 9 balls. Make an indent in the centre of each ball with your thumb, add a whole roasted hazelnut, then reform ball around the hazelnut.

You can roll the balls in raw cacao powder, desiccated coconut or you can just leave them as they are.

Chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour to firm up.
Store in the fridge.

Notes

If you don’t like to use protein powder, feel free to avoid it. Adapt the recipe just using 1 cup of dates instead of 1 1/4 cup.