The perfect vegan snack for avid adventurers
These super-simple energy balls are a perfect energy-filled, protein-rich, insanely tasty snack for you keen adventurers. Jam-packed with so much good stuff to fuel your exploring bodies and souls. Tried and tested these balls are sure to last on your expeditions. Providing all the right nutrients you need to take on the day ahead plus amazingly delicious, the ideal combo! So give these super simple vegan energy balls a spin at home and let us know your verdict.
These vegan energy balls were first created to power our three peaks challenge by bike and since then they’re been fuelling all our adventures. Life on the road is pretty consuming as there’s so much to consider. BUT, one thing we always find time to consider is our bellies!
We’re forever making sure that FOOD somehow ties in with our plans and we’re sure to never miss a meal. However cycling for 10 hours a day and having limited cooking apparatus can mean that eating delicious and nutritious food is pretty difficult, not at Veggie Vagabonds though! Eating the right stuff, especially when adventuring is very important to us and we live by the motto that:
“life is too short to eat bad food”
So it’s only passing our lips if it’s truly scrumptious.
Knowing that when we’re cycling or hiking we won’t have loads of time to prepare food and that our bodies will be craving protein and fuel I decided to get creative in the kitchen. The results are these densely delicious and nutritious super simple vegan energy balls. These balls of goodness were created with the intention of being convenient, tasty and full of energy to gobble down on the go whilst cycling, hiking or exploring.
Hitting the trail or on a multi-day trip? This vegan flapjack recipe is the perfect nom full of substance and goodness
These balls needed to contain substance that was going to fuel our journey and last along the way. I made them with this in mind so used ingredients that won’t go off in a hurry. Last Spring 2018 we took these bad boys on our cycling excursion around the Norfolk coast. We wanted to test them in the field to see how they lasted on the 7-day trip being bashed about in a pannier. We munched on them daily and they lasted the trip – a success!
I used oats in this recipe as they provide slow-release energy and are a good source of fibre as well as being full of antioxidants that keep you fit as a fiddle. These little balls also contain dates which to are packed with fibre and antioxidants as well as being a good source of slow-release energy.
To bind I used protein works crunchy peanut butter which is made from pure blended peanuts with no added salt, sugar or palm oil. Using good peanut butter is essential as there are so many brands out there full of unnecessary chemicals and ingredients. I use protein works brand as I know it’s pure and delicious.
Peanut butter has an abundance of vitamins and minerals which are good for you as well as being high in fibre. Not only this but it’s a good source of protein which is essential to help your muscles recover, especially after a long day adventuring. I also used some agave nectar to give these balls a sweet taste but feel free to use a sticky sweetener of your choice.
The addition of seeds to these little beauties gives them an added kick of protein and fuel. I used a mix of sunflower seeds and flax seeds as they’re chock-a-block with nutrients. The finishing touch is some chopped shards of chocolate for a touch of indulgence. By blending everything together these energy balls are simple to create and are ideal to have whilst out and about.
These super-simple energy balls are great in the morning with an energy-boosting smoothie or a protein fuelled smoothie
Not only are these super-simple energy balls full of wholesome fuel, but they also taste bloody fantastic! These vegan energy balls have been tried and tested on countless occasions. They’ve travelled 350 miles over the course of a week, fuelled hiking expeditions, lasted in the heat of a tent in the summer whilst holding their own and being a welcomed energy boost when adventuring.
They’re the perfect snack for on-the-go adventurers.
Give this recipe a go and let me know your thoughts! I’d really love to know where you take them adventuring so don’t forget to tag us in your snaps exploring the globe.
Vegan Energy Balls for Outdoor Adventures
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 dates
- 100 grams oats
- 5 tbsp peanut butter
- 50 ml agave nectar
- 2 tbsp sunflower seeds
- 2 tbsp flax seeds
- 50 grams dark chocolate – cut into shards
Instructions
- Begin by pitting the dates and soaking them in water for 10 minutes.Â
- Once soaked, blend the dates until they form a ball like consistency.
- Add all the remaining ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend. Don’t allow all the ingredients to blend completely as you want to have some chunkier bits. Â
- If your mixture is difficult to blend try adding some more peanut butter or agave nectar. If it gets really stuck add a little water, about a teaspoon’s worth at a time to help it blend. Try to add the water a little at a time as too much will stop the balls sticking as well and will affect the taste.Â
- Once fully combined roll the balls to roughly the size of a golf ball.Â
- Kepp in the fridge or eat right away.
Nutrition
If you liked this article you might also want to check out
Thanks for sharing!
The ingredients are very tasty and super-nutritious. Tahini (sesame paste) would fit perfectly, too. It could substitute peanut butter or just go together with it.
Those who are looking to reduce the carbs and sugar should go easy with agave nectar (and other sweeteners). I recommend including fresh dates for the sweet taste and great texture.
Keep it up!
Hey Alex, thanks for your comment 🙂 I’ve never tried this recipe with tahini but I will give it a go as it sounds delicious and I love experimenting. Have you tried it with tahini? If so what were the results? I am actually going to be posting another energy ball recipe in the coming weeks that uses dates. There less sweet and have a bit more texture as you mentioned. Stay posted for the recipe coming soon 🙂 Thanks for your feedback.
Thanks for your reply! Yup, I did a variation with tahini, dates, and cocoa. Delicious!!!
This recipe is so versatile, you can make dozens of cool variations depending on what you have at hand.
Keep it up! 🙂
Hey 🙂 Yes that’s one of the things I love about this sort of recipe you can mix it up by swapping one ingredient for another and the possibilities are never ending. I must say though I’ve never tried it with tahini. I will be trying this one sometime this week, sounds yummy! I like the sound of tahini and cocoa especially.
I’m such an energy ball addict! I could eat them all day long ? These sound super yummy and easy, I will definitely try them!
Us too! We always make a HUGE batch so we can always have a handy supply. When you make them please send us a photo so we can share it 🙂
Hi! I’ve never made something like this, but am interested to bring them along on a hike very soon. Do they need to be refrigerated? It seems that they need to be put in the fridge to set, but are they fine after that? How do you store them during a hike? plastic baggie? glass container?
Thank you 🙂
Definitely do it! Contain loads of energy but are simple to eat and sit well if you’re munching on the move. We take them on multiday trips and they store fine, though we normally won’t take enough for them to last more than 3-4 days. And yeh, we chuck ’em in a ziplock bag cos they’re pretty durable.
Happy hiking sean!
Sweet! Thanks!!
This may be a silly question, but how do you pack these energy balls on your backpacking trips? Just a plastic sandwich bag or what?
Not silly at all 🙂 Yes we often take them backpacking as they’re great for energy. In a sandwich nag can work and then you can rinse it to reuse it, or in a food container or reusable food wraps. They transport pretty well and don’t mind a good battering in your rucksack! Let me know what you think when you have them next!
Nice article! thanks for sharing with us. Mouthwatering 🙂
Thanks one earth 🙂 glad you liked the recipe!
You wrote this blog very well. Very knowledgeable. Thanks for sharing this
Wow , i learned something new here. i wish you will post more article just like this one
Thanks Abacus! Really pleased you liked this recipe 🙂
Thanks so much! We do have tons more recipes if you liked this one 🙂
https://veggievagabonds.com/tag/vegan-adventure-recipes/