Chai Energy Balls

Chai energy balls are made with dates, nuts, nut butter, chai spices and coconut oil. These one bite delights will energize you and satisfy your cravings for a little sweetness anytime of the day.

In the cookbook, “Eat Feel Fresh, a contemporary plant based Ayurvedic cookbook,” Sahara Rose Ketabi, the author, calls these chai energy balls chai bliss balls. And that they are! They will lead you to a state of bliss.

Sahara states that the bliss ball provides extra digestive boostings, improves stress relief and has hormone balancing benefits.

I was inspired to make these by my friend Monica Sharp, from Just Breathe Yoga. Monica nourishes my body, mind, and spirit through her personal style of gentle, mindful yoga practice and instruction. I am grateful to her for introducing me to the “Eat Feel Fresh” cookbook and these yummy chai bliss balls.

Once I started making these energy balls, I quickly realized how easy it was to adapt the basic recipe. I like using dates as the base for the chai energy balls. This recipe calls for nut butter, so I used almond butter, but I have also made them with peanut butter. Seed butter can also be substituted. I have used pecans, ground almonds, chopped hazelnuts and flax seeds.

All of the typical spices that you use to make chai are included in the mixture. Ground cardamon, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves are a spicy and aromatic indulgence. The addition of salt and a heaping teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper wake up the spices and your palate.  I used a little maple syrup to sweeten the mixture. However, many times the dates are sweet enough and you may not need any additional sweetener.

You will need a food processor or a blender to make the chai energy ball mixture. Try not to over process or the balls will be mushy. I like them to have a little texture.

The balls can be rolled in shredded coconut, a little turmeric, cocoa, chia seeds or whatever you may imagine that would compliment this spice, date and nut combination. Get energized with chai bliss balls!