Christmas energy balls recipe
Now is not the time to deny yourself a treat, or 20, says Kate Percy, who here provides a nutritionally-balanced yet suitably-seasonal, in-session snack recipe…
Let’s face it, you’re extremely fit, and, quite frankly, life’s too short to turn down the odd mince pie or your mum’s trifle. But with Christmas fever starting earlier each year, getting the balance right can be an uphill struggle, especially if you want to spring into the new training season feeling strong.
- Four homemade energy ball recipes
- 60min recipe: energy bars
- Nut and Cherry Energy Bars
- Power snacks
- Malty Fruit Bars
These Christmassy energy balls provide the perfect compromise. Rich in heart-friendly omega-3s, B-vitamins, the powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory vitamin E, as well as potassium, calcium and magnesium, they’ll revitalise the body and sustain you through your yuletide training. Have a great Christmas and New Year!
Makes 15-20 balls
Nutrition per ball
Energy 93KCAL, protein 1.5g, carbohydrate 17g, fat 2g, sugars 12g, saturates <0.5g, salt trace, fibre 1g
For the balls
40g walnuts or pecan nuts 120g dates
160g mincemeat 80g porridge oats
1 tsp mixed spice 25g ground almonds
Zest of one orange, finely grated 1 tsp coconut oil
For the icing
100g icing sugar Juice of ½ lime
Preparation time 15mins
Equipment needed
Food processer
Sharp knife Bowl
Method
Place the nuts in a food processor and blitz until roughly chopped. Add the dates and blitz again, until the mixture starts to stick together. You can do this by hand if you prefer, by chopping the nuts and dates as finely as possible with a sharp knife.
Add the mincemeat, porridge oats, mixed spice, ground almonds, orange zest and the coconut oil and blitz again, very briefly, until combined.
Roll into small balls in the palm of your hands. Each one should weigh approximately 12g, about 1.5cm in diameter.
Pour the icing sugar into a clean bowl and beat in the lime juice until smooth. Spoon the icing over the energy balls and decorate with your favourite Christmas cake decorations!
Kate Percy
Sports nutrition cook and author 
