Mango Vanilla Bean Protein Energy Balls [ Paleo, Whole30 ]

Never enough energy balls, am I right?? These Mango Vanilla Bean Protein Energy Balls are paleo, Whole30 and vegan-friendly. They make the perfect workout snack!

Oh em gee. First official non-Whole30 day and I have a Whole30 compliant snack for you.

For those of you expecting some baked goods or a healthy treat today, you’ll just have to hold your horses for a tad longer.  I PROMISE I will be back to some baking next week. But for now, I actually have a REALLY good energy ball recipe for you that you are going to LOVE.

Last week I was volunteering up in Grand Rapids with Crazy Richard’s at the Kids’ Food Basket, packing meals for kids to take home. Which was such a cool experience. Obviously it is not cool at all how many live below or near the poverty line right in the Grand Rapids area. But it was so special and humbling that we were able to give back. I want and need to do something like that again very soon!

Anyways… so there is a Trader Joe’s in GR. Naturally this foodie decided it was necessary to make a pit-stop on the way home. I mean, I have only been in maybe one or two TJ’s before, EVER. There are just no convenient locations around the Lansing area. And there were none where we lived in PA either. So yes, TJ’s was a must. I immediately found myself in the nuts and dried fruit section and was overwhelmed with all of my choices. SO MUCH DRIED FRUIT. Oh and freeze-dried fruit. And at reasonable prices. HOLLA. Anyways, because I was still in Whole30 snack mode I was searching for some unsweetened, unsulphured dried fruit to use in energy balls and I came across mango slices.

And basically the rest is history…

Oh wait, back up…

Vital Proteins has this super great, new collagen peptides flavor out that I cannot get enough of. It is called “Vanilla & Coconut Water Collagen Peptides” and it uses coconut water and Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Bean Powder and it is SO GOOD you guys. If you were on the fence about the traditional collagen peptides, you must try the vanilla one. I put it in everything from my coffee to my Sweet Potato Protein Breakfast Bowls.

(If you need a little collagen refresher, be sure to check out this post, and maybe this one too!)

Mango Vanilla Bean Protein Energy Balls

What you need

• Dried, unsweetened mango
• Medjool dates
• Cashews
• Vanilla & Coconut Water Collagen Peptides

Um, yes. You’re seeing that right. Just FOUR ingredients is all you need. Okay, well if you want to add a vanilla bean then it comes to five… And then there is the optional step of rolling energy balls into hemp hearts or shredded coconut… But again, optional. The above four ingredients are what you need to make the magic happen.

Seriously food processors never cease to amaze me… Maybe it’s because I didn’t grow up with one. I’m just always so happy when I bust out my food processor for various tasks. i.e. scones, cakes, nut butter…  It is right up there with my KitchenAid mixer as far as favorite kitchen appliances go…

Okay, getting off track. FOCUS, Ashley.

These Mango Vanilla Protein Energy Balls are so freaking good, peeps. They’re soft and dense like a Larabar, and come with a boost of protein thanks to the collagen peptides. I got about 30 energy balls and each ball comes out to about 83 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, 12 grams of carbohydrates, and 3 grams of protein. You could probably add in another scoop or two of peptides if you’re looking for more protein, but may need to add a couple more medjool dates to compensate for the extra bit of dry ingredients.

Oh, and if you’re looking for a vegan-friendly option, you can just leave out the peptides 🙂 That is how these ones are made.

★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

How to Make...

Mango Vanilla Bean Protein Energy Balls [ Paleo, Whole30 ]

These Mango Vanilla Bean Protein Energy Balls are paleo, Whole30 and vegan-friendly. They make the perfect workout snack plus they have a boost of collagen protein. 

• Prep Time: 10
• Cook Time: 10
• Total Time: 20 minutes

• Yield: 30 balls 1x
• Scale: 1x2x3x

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Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups raw cashews
• 10 pitted medjool dates (about 1 cup)
• 5oz dried unsweetened mango (about 1 cup)
• 1 vanilla bean, scraped (optional)
• 3 scoops (75g) Vanilla & Coconut Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
• 1–2 TBS water

optional coating:

• hemp hearts
• unsweetened desiccated coconut (finely shredded)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325F and place raw cashews on baking sheet. Toast cashews for 8-12 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Allow toasted cashews to cool on pan for 10 minutes. Toasting is optional but it brings out more flavor.
2. In a medium sized bowl cover pitted dates and unsweetened mango slices with warm water. Let sit for 5 minutes to soften mango and dates. Then drain.
3. In the bowl of your food processor add cooled toasted cashews. Process cashews until they’re in tiny pieces, almost to meal texture. Next add in drained pitted dates and mango slices, process until broken down into chunks.
4. Add in vanilla bean and vanilla & coconut collagen peptides, process again until fully mixed. At this point if your mixture is having a hard time coming together, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of water. Try to avoid adding too much water or your mixture will be very sticky.
5. Remove S blade from bowl of processor. Using tablespoon, scoop mixture and roll into balls between the palms of your hand. Place on baking sheet and continue this process. You should have about 30 energy balls. You can either roll energy balls in hemp hearts, shredded coconut, or leave as is.
6. Store bars in airtight container in fridge up to two weeks, or freezer up to 3 months. Enjoy!

Recipes Notes:

Nutrition approximate, based on 1 out of 30 energy balls.

Nutrition Information:

• Serving Size: 1/30
• Calories: 83
• Sugar: 9
• Fat: 2.5
• Carbohydrates: 12
• Fiber: 1
• Protein: 3

Category: Snacks Method: Food Processor Cuisine: American
Keywords: mango energy balls, whole30 snacks, recipes using collagen peptides
Author: Ashley @ Fit Mitten Kitchen

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