Introduction: Healthy Fruit and Nut Snack Balls

About: Michael's Test Kitchen - FOOD - SUGAR - RECIPES

These healthy fruit and nut snack balls make a perfect snack anytime.

They are essentially dates, cranberries, cherries, almonds, and walnuts, and deliver the nutrition of the fruit and the protein and fiber of the nuts.

They are also very easy and simple to make.

Step 1: Ingredients

Ingredients (makes approx. 24 balls):


40 medjool dates

¼ cup cranberries

¼ cup cherries

¾ cup almonds

½ cup walnuts

½ teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon salt

Optional, but recommended:

½ cup mini chocolate chips

Step 2: The Fruit

Place dates, cranberries, and cherries in a food steamer.

Steam for about 10 minutes.

Place steamed fruits in a food processor, and blend them until creamed. Add cinnamon and salt and blend a bit more.

Step 3: The Nuts

Place almonds and walnuts in a blender, and pulse until nuts are in very small little chunks, as shown.

Step 4: Mix Them Together

Dump both the nuts and fruits into a large bowl, and mix and stir until completely incorporated.

If using chocolate chips:

Let fruit/nut mixture cool in fridge before attempting to stir in chocolate chips.

Step 5: Shape Into Balls

If you are using chocolate chips, now's the time to mix those into the fruit mixture.

Roll mixture into little 1-inch balls with your hands, and place all on a parchment/wax-paper lined tray.

Place in fridge for 10+ minutes before using.

Step 6: Done!