Cookie Dough Power Balls

I was looking for something to satisfy my sweet tooth while also providing some substance. So, I leafed through a few recipes for inspiration and came up with what I'm calling "Cookie Dough Power Balls" (I won't mention the rude name Dave gave them. Let your imagination guide you). The texture and flavour really inspired the cookie dough flavour, while the added chia seeds and other ingredients lent themselves to more of an energy ball type feel. They took all of 15 minutes to prepare and this no-bake recipe means they were ready to snack on after 5 minutes in the freezer. 

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup oats
1Tbsp coconut oil, melted
1Tbsp unsweetened applesauce 
2Tbsp natural peanut butter
1/4 cup maple syrup 
Dash of salt 
1/2 cup almond flour 
Splash of non-dairy milk (I used cashew)
2Tbsp chia seeds
3Tbsp mini chocolate chips ​

Directions:
Use a high-powered blender or food processor to blend your oats into a flour. Set aside. In a large bowl, add the coconut oil, applesauce, peanut butter, maple syrup and salt. Use a hand blender to blend under smooth.  **Note: you can see that I did not melt my coconut oil before adding it. However, I suggest you do, as I had a tricky time getting it to blend smoothly into the mixture. 

Next, add the oat and almond flour to the rest of the mixture and blend until smooth. To add a bit of moisture, add a splash of non-dairy milk. Fold in the chia seeds and chocolate chips. Roll into small balls (think tablespoon size), place on a plate lined with parchment paper and pop in the freezer for 5 minutes or until firm. I chose to store mine in a freezer bag in the freezer. This way, they will keep but are available for easy snacking access. 

For a nut-free version, try sunflower butter instead of peanut butter. 

Happy snacking!