This recipe came straight from fig bars I saw on Instagram by Sophie Ella. I have changed up the ingredients and the balance of sweet & salty.
My goodness they are good (and super quick to make) and a fantastic protein snack to get you through the day.
PS this makes a serious amount of balls approx 60 so by all means half the recipe, use them to make up Christmas presents (or do as I did freeze them in an air tight container so you always have a protein snack on hand).
Fruit and Almond Protein Balls
Ingredients
600g Almond butter (I used my local The Almond Farmer)
9 tbspn Sticky Quince Syrup
Approx 200g of mixed dried fruit (I used 17 figs, 2 pears, 4 peaches, 5 apricots) that is roughly chopped or put through your blender. I did make my fruit quite minced, you can choose to make it chunky or minced.
3 pinches of salt
2 tbspn of monkfruit sweetener, salted caramel flavour (this is completely optional I just had a craving at the time)
8 tbspn almond meal
Approx 400g Melted dark chocolate to dip your balls into
Toppings - shredded coconut, salt flakes (optional)
Method
In a saucepan, over low heat, mix together the almond butter, sticky quince syrup and salt until smooth.
Once mixed through turn the heat off and add your chopped/minced fruit, almond meal and monkfruit sweetener (if using). Mix thoroughly
Roll the mixture into bite size balls and put in the fridge while you melt your chocolate.
Your chocolate can be melted in a small saucepan over a saucepan of boiling water or in the microwave on very low heat (and stirring every 30 secs) you don't want the chocolate to get too hot and burn before it actually gets to melt.
Use a fork to then dip each ball into your melted chocolate. Top with coconut or salt flakes before the chocolate completely sets (optional).
Keep stored in an air tight container (and in the fridge if the temp is getting hot or humid). This makes a very big batch which I portioned out and froze some so there was always some protein snacks on hand when we need them. Or you could package them up for Christmas presents.
You can make a nut free version of these simply by upping the amount of mixed dried fruit to approx 800g in total and not using any almond butter or meal.