Banana Spice Balls
For a sweet yet healthy treat, try this banana spice balls recipe.
These little balls of sweet banana and oats are flavoured with one of my favourite spices, cardamom. It doesn't take a lot of spice for the flavours to shine through, which is why this recipe only calls for 1/8 teaspoon of each. At that level the balance between the spices and banana make for a delightful treat.
They are simple and quick to prepare. Just a couple of these make a perfect snack during a busy day. I reach for these any time I need a boost of energy and my sweet tooth starts crying out for attention. These are sugar free, with the sweetness coming from both the ripe banana and the maple syrup that is used to bind these balls together.
These are gluten-free (ensure you buy oats that are certified gluten-free), dairy-free and vegan.
TIP: Add a little more fruit by chopping up dates, dried apricots, figs, etc.
Ingredients
(Makes 24 servings | Serving size = 1 ball)
2 cups rolled oats
1 large ripe banana, mashed
1/2 cup walnuts
1/2 cup pecans
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cardamom
1/8 teaspoon ginger
Directions
Place all ingredients into a food processor and blend until fully combined, stopping to scrape down the sides when needed.
Using a small cookie scoop, scoop out heaping balls of the banana mixture and place on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper or silicone liner. The balls will be sticky.
Place sheet pan in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to firm up. Remove from refrigerator and roll the balls to smooth their shape. Refrigerate for an additional 30 minutes then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator and enjoy whenever you need a snack.
Nutritional Information Per Serving:
total calories = 113 | total fat = 7g | saturated fat = 0.72g | cholesterol = 0mg | sodium = 25.2mg | carbohydrates = 11g | dietary fibre = 1.93g | sugars = 3.87g | protein = 2.46g
