Fruit and Nut Balls
If you're familiar with Lara Bars (one of the original healthy fruit bars with 5 ingredients or fewer), these are a version of the bar called Cherry Pie. We use local dried cranberries instead of cherries. See below for a chocolate variation! This recipe was taught in a City Market class on healthy snacks for active lifestyles.
Prep Time
Cook Time
Yield
Ingredients
Instructions
Place the dates and dried cranberries in a food processor. Pulse until processed to a paste. Add the nuts and cinnamon to the processor and pulse until mixture is well combined. Scrape into a bowl or onto a sheet of parchment paper. If time allows, chill in refrigerator for 20-30 minutes to make the balls easier to shape.
Fill a small bowl with water for wetting hands. Using wet hands, shape mixture into balls, bars, or logs. For longer-term storage, store in the refrigerator.
*Note: If time allows, soak the nuts overnight in water with a pinch of salt (12-24 hours) to reduce the phytic acid and make them more digestible. Proceed with recipe.
Notes
Variation: Chocolate Almond Balls
1/2 cup almonds
1/2 cup roughly chopped walnuts
1 1/3 cups pitted dates
4 Tbsp cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
1/4 cup chocolate chips (optional)
1/2 cup dried, unsweetened coconut (optional)
Follow directions above.