Chocolate Covered Date and Oat Energy Balls

### Instructions

**Step 1: Prepare the Dates**
Start by placing your pitted dates in a food processor or blender. Pulse them a few times until they break down into a sticky paste. Dates are naturally sticky, which makes them perfect for binding the energy balls together. If your dates are a bit dry, soak them in warm water for 5-10 minutes to soften them up before processing.

**Step 2: Add Oats, Nut Butter, and Flavors**
To the date paste, add the rolled oats, almond butter, cocoa powder, chia seeds (if using), vanilla extract, and a pinch of sea salt. Pulse everything together until well combined. The mixture should stick together when pressed. If it’s too dry, add a tablespoon of water or more nut butter to get the desired consistency.

**Step 3: Roll into Balls**
Once the mixture is ready, scoop out about a tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into a ball using your hands. Repeat this process until all the mixture has been rolled into small energy balls (this recipe should make about 12-15 balls, depending on the size).

**Step 4: Prepare the Chocolate Coating**
Melt the dark chocolate and coconut oil together in a heatproof bowl. You can do this over a double boiler or by microwaving the mixture in 20-second intervals, stirring in between, until fully melted and smooth.

**Step 5: Coat the Energy Balls**
Carefully dip each energy ball into the melted chocolate, using a spoon to help coat them completely. Once they’re coated, place them on a parchment-lined tray. If you want an extra touch, you can sprinkle them with a little sea salt or shredded coconut for added texture and flavor.

**Step 6: Chill and Set**
Refrigerate the chocolate-covered energy balls for about 30 minutes to allow the chocolate to firm up. Once the chocolate is set, the energy balls are ready to enjoy!

### Tips for Customizing Your Energy Balls

– **Add-ins**: You can easily customize these energy balls by adding other ingredients like chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, or cashews), dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, or apricots), or even protein powder to make them even more filling.
– **Sweeteners**: If you like your energy balls sweeter, you can add a drizzle of honey, maple syrup, or a dash of stevia into the mixture. The dates themselves provide a lot of natural sweetness, so taste as you go!
– **Nut Butters**: Almond butter gives these energy balls a creamy and slightly nutty flavor, but you can swap it with peanut butter, cashew butter, or even sunflower seed butter for different flavor profiles.
– **Cocoa vs. Chocolate**: While cocoa powder gives the energy balls a rich chocolate taste, you can also use chocolate chips mixed into the oat mixture for even more chocolatey goodness!

### Health Benefits of Chocolate Covered Date and Oat Energy Balls

1. **Rich in Fiber**: Dates and oats are both high in dietary fiber, which aids in digestion, keeps you feeling fuller for longer, and helps regulate blood sugar levels.
2. **Natural Sugars**: The natural sugars in dates provide a quick energy boost, making these energy balls a great choice for an afternoon pick-me-up or pre-workout snack.
3. **Healthy Fats**: Nut butters and chia seeds are packed with healthy fats, which are essential for brain health and hormone regulation.
4. **Antioxidants**: Dark chocolate, especially when you use at least 70% cocoa, is full of antioxidants that help protect the body from free radicals and inflammation.
5. **Muscle Recovery**: The combination of protein, fiber, and healthy fats in these energy balls makes them a great option for post-workout recovery, helping to refuel and repair muscles.

### Storing Your Energy Balls

Once they’ve set in the fridge, you can store these energy balls in an airtight container for up to a week. If you want them to last longer, you can also store them in the freezer for up to a month—just grab one whenever you need a quick snack!

### Conclusion: A Delicious, Nutritious Snack

These **Chocolate Covered Date and Oat Energy Balls** are the perfect blend of health and indulgence. They’re a great snack to keep on hand for those times when you need a quick energy boost, something to tide you over between meals, or a healthy yet sweet treat. With their rich flavor, chewy texture, and satisfying chocolate coating, they’re sure to become a favorite in your recipe rotation.

Plus, with the option to customize the ingredients to suit your taste preferences, you can enjoy these energy balls in countless ways. Give this recipe a try today, and you’ll be hooked on these delicious, homemade energy balls in no time!