Running late for your long run with friends? You need good fuel, and you need it now! That’s when simple carbohydrates become your new best friends. By simple, I mean the kind of sugar that breaks down quickly to provide energy ASAP. A candy-bar sugar rush doesn’t count. Your body will perform best with natural sugars, like those found in dates or maple syrup.
These maple-nut bites are a pop-in-your-mouth, pre-workout dream, simply because they’re made with only three, whole-food ingredients that will fill your muscles with glucose – fast! Plus, there’s no baking, microwaving, toasting, roasting or backyard grilling involved. It’s just you and a food processor. Happy exercising!
Maple-Nut Energy Bites
Gluten free * Paleo * Raw * Vegan * Refined sugar free * No bake
Makes 7 energy bites
Macros per bite: 114.6 calories | 20.3 g carbs | 18.3 g sugar | 2.1 g fiber | < 1 g protein | 2.8 g fat
Ingredients
6 Medjool pitted dates
¼ cup unsalted, organic walnuts
1 Tbsp. pure dark amber maple syrup
Directions:
- In a food processor, blend all ingredients together until smooth and combined. Note: If you like chunks of walnuts, you can stop the processor once the dates have broken down. Otherwise, continue to blend until walnuts are finely chopped or completely ground – your call.
- Using a spoonful at a time, roll mixture into about 7 balls. It’s a sticky process, so keep wet rags or paper towels nearby for wiping down.
- Cut plastic wrap into 7 squares, place one ball on each square and diagonally roll up plastic wrap (corner to corner). Twist the ends and use them to tie a knot at the top. This will make them much more easily transportable, helping to contain their stickiness and keep them in perfectly portioned, bite-sized balls.