Christmas energy balls recipe
Fuel your festive runs and rides with these tasty energy balls, packed with tasty ingredients and simple to make!
We’re not ones to deny ourselves the odd treat here at 220 and frankly, if the mince pies mean the tri-suit is a little snugger in the new year then it’s a price worth paying.
When it comes to training over the festive season however, you want to make sure you’re still getting the nutrients and energy you need to complete that festive club ride or Santa run – and you aren’t going to do that on leftover trifle.
Get in the festive spirit with these energy balls, which look bloomin’ brilliant, and 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.
Plus if you like these, find four more recipes to try here – decorate as you like if you want to make them more festive!
Essential info
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
Prep time: 15 minutes
Equipment needed: Food processor, sharp knife, bowl
Ingredients list
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
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 
