Maple Walnut Energy Balls

Walnuts have long been recognized as a heart-healthy food and research continues to support the benefits.

In a new, first-of-its-kind study to explore the effects of a walnut-enriched diet on overall cholesterol in elderly individuals, researchers found an association between regular daily walnut consumption and sustained lower levels of cholesterol including a 15 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease.1,^ This study was conducted over two years and involved over 700 participants between the ages of 63 and 79 who were healthy, independent-living adults residing in Barcelona, Spain, and Loma Linda, California.

Maple Walnut Energy Balls

INGREDIENTS

2 cups walnuts, plus 1/4 cup for coating
1 cup old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup Medjool dates, pitted (about 7 dates)
3 tbsp maple syrup
2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp salt

PREPARATION

Add 2 cups of walnuts, oats, dates, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt to a food processor. Blend until smooth and the dough forms together into cohesive balls, about 1 to 2 minutes.

Finely dice the remaining 1/4 cup walnuts and add to a plate.

Form the dough into 16 balls and roll each ball in the diced walnuts to coat. Store the energy balls in an airtight container in the fridge for a week, or in the freezer for up to three months.