A straightforward goji berry balls recipe for dried goji berries you may make in 10 minutes with simply 4 easy components.
What are goji berries?
Goji berries, often known as wolf berries, are small purple or orange-red berries that come from the Lycium barbarum plant and have a barely candy and tart flavour.
Goji berries have been used for hundreds of years in conventional Chinese language medication for his or her potential well being advantages. They’re prized for his or her dietary content material, being wealthy in numerous nutritional vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and different bioactive compounds.
Their potential well being advantages embody blood sugar regulation, digestive well being, cognitive perform, eye well being, immune system assist and vitality, in most half as a consequence of antioxidants comparable to beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, and vitamin C.
Tips on how to Use Goji Berries
Goji berries are often utilized in dried type, very like raisins or cranberries. They’ve a chewy texture when dried.
Goji berries may be eaten as a snack, or added to path combine, smoothies, salad dressings, baking, cereal, tea and salads, or utilized in quite a lot of recipes like these vitality balls.
They’re additionally good for sprinkling over yogurt, ice cream, smoothie bowls, chia pudding and oatmeal.
If in case you have further goji berries, they’d make an amazing addition to this Freekeh Salad, Summer season Quinoa Salad, Wild Rice Salad, Tuscan Kale Salad, or you would mix them right into a smoothie like this Papaya Smoothie or Beet Orange Smoothie.
They will also be added to any of my vitality bar, vitality ball or baking recipes. They’d be yummy in these Blueberry Oatmeal Cups, Cherry Almond Bars, Apricot Granola Bars or Lime Coconut Power Bites.
Substances
The complete ingredient record with measurements is situated within the recipe card under.
- Dates: You should use any number of dates are lengthy as they’re tender and moist. In case your dates are overly dry, soak them in sizzling water then drain effectively earlier than utilizing within the recipe.
- Cashews: Use plain, uncooked cashews with no added oil or salt. You’ll be able to substitute different nuts comparable to almonds, walnuts or pecans or use a combination of nuts. For a nut-free choice, you should use sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
- Goji Berries: Search for dried goji berries. They’re available on-line, in well-stocked grocery shops or in well being meals shops.
- Cacao Nibs: You’ll be able to omit these if you happen to choose, or substitute chopped darkish chocolate, chocolate chips or mini chocolate chips.
- Vanilla: Vanilla provides a very nice flavour however is optionally available. A pinch of salt and cinnamon can even assist improve the flavour.
Variations & Additions
- Coconut Goji Berry Balls: Scale back the cashews to 1/2 cup and add 1 cup superb or medium shredded coconut (desiccated coconut).
- Chocolate-Coated Goji Balls: Dip the balls in melted darkish chocolate or drizzle over prime of them on a baking sheet and set within the fridge unit agency.
- Spices: Incorporate warming spices like ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom for an additional layer of taste.
- Ginger: Attempt including 2-3 tbsp grated recent ginger.
- Matcha: Add 1-2 tbsp matcha powder for an earthy flavour and inexperienced color.
- Maca: Incorporate maca powder for its potential energy-boosting properties.
- Citrus: Add 1-3 tbsp lemon juice and/or lemon zest, lime zest or orange zest for a refreshing flavour.
- Seeds: Add as much as 1/3 cup chia seeds or hemp seeds for extra wholesome fat and diet. If including floor flax, use simply 3-4 tbsp so the balls aren’t too dry.
- Coating: Experiment with completely different coatings on your goji balls, comparable to shredded coconut, crushed nuts, cocoa powder, or perhaps a dusting of matcha.
- Oats: Add as much as 1/2 cup rolled oats or substitute the cashews with 1 cup rolled oats.
- Sweetening: Add 1-2 tbsp of pure maple syrup for a sweeter flavour.
- Power Bars: In case you choose to make vitality bars, line an 8×8-inch baking sheet with parchment paper then firmly press the dough into the plan. Agency within the fridge for an hour or two, then elevate out of the pan and slice into bars.
Step-by-Step Information
Step 1. Add the entire components to a meals processor and blend right into a thick, sticky dough you may simply press collectively between your fingers.
Fast Tip: If it’s not sticking collectively, add 1 tsp of heat water and mix once more. That ought to do the trick but when not, repeat as wanted.
Step 2. Use your arms to roll the dough into balls. You need to get 10-12 balls relying on the dimensions.
In case you’d wish to coat them in one thing like coconut, go for it!
Recipe FAQs
You’ll be able to omit cacao nibs or substitute darkish chocolate, chocolate chips or mini chocolate chips.
No, you don’t have to soak the goji berries earlier than utilizing them in vitality balls. They are often added on to the combination.
For certain! These retailer effectively within the fridge for two weeks or freezer for as much as 3 months.
Sure. To make them nut-free, use sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds as a substitute of cashews. You might additionally do a mixture of rolled oats and seeds.
Sure, you should use quite a lot of nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pistachios rather than cashews. It’s also possible to use a combination of nuts.
Professional Ideas
- Softening Dates: In case your dates are a bit dry, soak them in heat water for about 10-Quarter-hour earlier than mixing. It will assist soften them, making them simpler to mix and leading to a smoother texture.
- Texture: The combination ought to maintain collectively when squeezed however not be too sticky. If it’s too sticky, add a couple of extra cashews. If it’s too crumbly, add extra softened dates or a little bit of nut butter.
- Measuring: For finest outcomes, use a digital scale and observe the listed measurements within the recipe.
Storing Directions
- Retailer the completed bites in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 2 weeks or freezer for as much as 2 months.
- They’re okay at room temperature if taking to-go however will get tender if it’s heat.
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Description
These scrumptious no-bake goji berry vitality balls are full of vitamins thank to superfoods like goji berries and cacao nibs and make a scrumptious candy deal with.
- Place all components in a meals processor and blend right into a thick, sticky dough you may simply press collectively between your fingers. If it’s not sticking, add 1 tsp of heat water and course of once more. That ought to do the trick, but when not, repeat 1-2 occasions till it does.
- Roll into 10-12 balls relying on desired dimension and retailer in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 2 weeks or freezer for as much as 2 months.
Notes
Cacao nibs may be substituted with chocolate chips or darkish chocolate.
Be sure you use tender, moist dates as they bind the recipe collectively. In case your dates are overly dry, pit them first then soak in sizzling water for Quarter-hour. Drain effectively earlier than utilizing within the recipe.
Vitamin
- Serving Measurement: 1 ball
- Energy: 128
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 15 mg
- Fats: 4 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
Key phrases: goji berry balls, goji berry recipe
Initially printed on September 15, 2016.
