I get very excited when I'm doing this date and walnut snack, but my kiddos....are even more excited! They love those as an after-school snack (a really healthy option) packed with nutritious goodness, a real treat that can be prepared in literally as quick as 10 minutes. How can I not get excited?!
They make such a superb snack, just grab a few for work, at school, for a picnic, for travelling time, you name it.
Just make them, I'm sure you'll take them along everywhere you go.
If they last, they can last for many days in the fridge; I like to eat them straight from the fridge because they are nice and hard and they will last longer too. If you decide to keep them out, they won't last long (they will just vanish in minutes). This date and walnut snack is so moreish.
Dates.... we all know how yummy they are and for me, dates are my sugar substitute whenever possible for many years now.
Why id this date and walnut snack so good?
This is not only a delicious snack but it also contains vitamins (A, K) and minerals as dates are such fantastic source of iron, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, potassium, magnesium and zinc.
These minerals make them truly beneficial for our bones, our digestive track, our vision and our big hearts❤️ .... and these were only a few nutritional facts about the dates that I was talking about but if we are to go to the walnuts, these are also soo amazing.
Walnuts are truly fantastic for us since they are so rich in polyunsaturated and omega-3 fats, packed with rare and really powerful antioxidants.
I know that a fistful of nuts a day keeps the doctor far away!!
I love nuts in general but what I like most about them is the fact that they really improve the skin, hair and nails and apparently they are slowing the ageing process due to their high content of antioxidants. What I conclude from this is that nuts could increase the life span? I wasn't quite sure why I don't age any longer .... I wish!
But seriously now, are you eating sufficient nuts?! I know I've got you thinking now!
Okay, I have said enough and I am now sure you will make this healthy date and walnut snack balls. They will give you that instant boost of energy which we all need around 4 p.m., all that sugar cravings.... oh, not so nice, but these will fix it all.
Well, I do, and I do it badly and generally, I snack on rubbish if I don't have something quality like this.
Here are some more delicious and healthy snack recipes :
- Easy sauteed chickpea recipe
- Dates, grapes and goats cheese super balls snack
- Pecan cookies with rye and barley flakes
- Refined sugar-free power snack squares
how to store date and walnut snack?
I normally keep them in the fridge so they are a little safer otherwise they will disappear way too quick?
Just make sure and promise me you will not eat them all at once, I know it's hard but try not to!
Tips:
*** I use Medjool dates because they are really 'meaty' and juicy and super delicious. But if you can't find those and your dates are slightly drier you'll have to soak them for at least 20-30 minutes.
Here is the recipe and I promise this time I will go on with the recipe and nothing else now 😉
Gluten-free date and walnut snack
Equipment
- wooden spoon
- bowl
Ingredients
- 400 g Medjoul dates ***
- 100 g walnuts (organic)
- 45 g coconut (organic) dessicated
- 40 g chia seeds (organic)
- 1 pinch himalayan salt
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder (organic)
- 1 tablespoon carob powder
- 2 grinds black pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Shell the walnuts if you have to.
- Take the stones of the dates and place them in a food processor.
- Place the walnuts in a pan on low heat and roast for few minutes, don't go too far from them as they burn quickly due to the high oil content.
- Give it a good old whizz in the processor. Add the remainder of the ingredients.
- Mix most of the desiccated coconut but keep some for later to roll on the outside.
- Take out of the food processor and make into small (1.5 cm) balls. Use the remainder of the coconut flakes to roll some of the balls or all of them.
- Keep outside or inside the fridge.
Notes
The beauty of this recipe is that you can change ingredients according to your liking. You can also shape them differently by spreading the mix on aluminium foil put it in the fridge for 20 min until hard and then take them out and cut into the desired shapes.
I sometimes add extra superfood ingredients such as Acai berries, spirulina, chlorella, baobab or maca powder but there is so much that can be done here.
Stay tuned as I will later bring variations and combinations that you would absolutely get hooked to.
Enjoy and good day!
Ginger says
Delicious - your photographs are stunning, Ramona!
Ramona says
Thank you Ginger! I really apreciate your comments! ?????