Tomorrow is World Vegan Day! Nutrient-rich plant-based foods, like tofu, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, offer essential nutrients in a vegan diet.
Honing in on nuts, they’re a must-have addition to any vegan’s shopping trolley! A 30g handful provides 3-6g protein, and they also contain iron, zinc, magnesium, selenium, and vitamin E, plus antioxidants and other useful plant bioactives.
These roasted walnuts and maple-spiced protein balls are packed full of nutty goodness, and perfect to celebrate World Vegan Day! 🌱
Ingredients:
2 ½ cups Australian walnuts
1 ½ cups rolled oats
½ cup shredded or desiccated coconut
¼ cup coconut flour
¼ cup pure maple syrup
150g (roughly 10) pitted medjool dates OR 150g pitted cooking dates soaked in hot water for 10 minutes, then drained
1 tbs vanilla bean paste or extract
1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp sea salt
Ground clove for sprinkling
Desiccated coconut for rolling (optional)
Additional walnuts, crushed finely for rolling (optional)
Method:
1. Place the walnuts onto a paper-lined baking tray and bake at 170C for 10-15 minutes, stirring the walnuts halfway through the baking time. Remove the walnuts from the oven and set aside to cool.
2. In a food processor add 1½ cups of the roasted walnuts and blend until a paste forms.
3. Add the remaining walnuts, oats, coconut, dates, maple syrup, cinnamon, and sea salt, and blend until combined and the mixture forms a smooth ball in the food processor.
4. Add the coconut flour and blend until combined.
5. Scoop and form the mixture into tablespoon-sized balls and place onto a paper-lined tray.
6. Sprinkle a little ground clove over the rolled balls, then roll in desiccated coconut or finely crushed walnuts (optional).
7. Place the tray of protein balls into the freezer for a couple of hours or overnight to set.
8. Store in the freezer or fridge in an airtight container, and enjoy straight from the freezer or fridge for the ultimate chewy texture.
Thanks to @walnutsaustralia for the recipe and 📷.
#WorldVeganDay #vegan #veganrecipe #nuts #nutsforlife
