Matcha Energy Balls with Dates

These chocolate-covered Matcha Energy Balls with a hint of lemon are vegan and so quick and easy to make. A no-bake, protein-packed, healthy snack that's tasty too.

This post was kindly sponsored by Indigo Herbs

Packed with gorgeous organic Medjool dates, organic matcha, oats, walnuts and pumpkin seeds, these energy bites are so easy to make. Great for making with the kids and perfect for when those sugar cravings kick in.

Covered in dark chocolate and with a hint of lemon these energy bites are so good you just might not be able to stop at one! Sprinkled with matcha or shredded coconut these little bites are delicious and healthy.

What You'll Need 

• Medjool Dates - I used Indigo Herbs organic Medjool dates, they are honestly some of the best dates I've used. They are perfectly sweet and so big! You can use other brands but I would recommend using organic dates.
• Matcha Tea Powder - Again I would recommend organic matcha and I used Indigo Herbs brand which is the highest ceremonial grade Organic Matcha Powder. 
• Oats - Irish oats are always my go-to oats, they are also organic and GMO-free. For this recipe, I used jumbo oats. You could use regular oats but I wouldn't use instant oats.
• Walnuts - Walnut halves are fine for this recipe, you could use other nuts if you prefer. Almond or pistachio would work well too.
• Pumpkin Seeds - You can use pumpkin seeds like me or use a mix of pumpkin and sunflower if you prefer.
• Dark Chocolate - I used organic vegan dark chocolate if you are not keen on dark chocolate you can leave it out or use a good vegan "milk" chocolate, just make sure it melts well.
• Lemon Zest - You will need unwaxed lemons for this, I used the zest of two medium lemons.
• Vanilla Extract - Just a little vanilla goes a long way, but make sure you use vanilla extract and not the essence.
• Maple Syrup - For a little extra sweetness I add maple syrup to these energy bites. You can add more or less according to your own tastes. 

How To Make Matcha Energy Balls

1. Add the nuts, seeds and oats to a food processor and blend well.
2. Next, add the matcha powder and lemon zest and blitz again, briefly.
3. Once everything is combined, add the chopped dates, vanilla and maple syrup.
4. Blend again until you have a rough dough.
5. Take a tablespoon of the dough and roll it between the palm of your hands until you have a ball, repeat for the remaining paste.
6. Melt the chocolate, then dip each ball into the chocolate and transfer to a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Put the tray in the fridge so that the chocolate sets. Finally, dust with matcha powder using a small sieve or top with shredded coconut.

Tips For Making The Best Matcha Energy Balls

• Use good quality ingredients - I used Indigo Herb's dates and matcha. Indigo Herbs are a UK based company trading since 2004. They pride themselves on bringing customers a wide range of premium quality nutritionally rich organic superfoods, high-quality herbal powders, aromatherapy oils and loose herbal teas. As well as having the very best prices, their products are ethically and sustainably sourced. A great UK company!
• Chill your energy balls - these taste delicious straight from the fridge. 
• Measure each ball - to get equally sized balls I use a tablespoon to measure out each one.
• The dough might feel dry when you scoop it out but once you start rolling it should come together perfectly.
• Sweetness - these balls aren't overly sweet if you want more sweetness you can add another date or two or add more maple syrup.

How To Serve Match Energy Balls

You have a few options here. We love these covered in dark chocolate with a dusting of matcha powder or a sprinkling of shredded coconut. However, you can also serve them naked, that is, without the chocolate and the extras. Or you can serve them without the chocolate but with a sprinkling of matcha powder.

FAQs

Can I make this gluten-free? Yes, you can substitute the oats for your favourite gluten-free oats.

How long will these keep for? These will keep for up to a week once you store them in the fridge. They very rarely last that long in my house though! Keep them in an air-tight container in the fridge.

Need More Healthy Treats Inspiration?

This lemon, pistachio dessert always goes down a treat in my house. Want more vegan power bites? these oat and peanut butter balls are vegan and easy to make too.

Prefer something savoury? Try these Baked Black Pepper Fries or my favourite Crispy Baked Potato Wedges.

Have you made this Matcha Energy Balls Recipe? Rate it and leave me a comment below to let me know what you think!