Vegan matcha and lemon energy balls

Vegan matcha and lemon energy balls with Medjool dates, oats, cashews and coconut oil – fresh, lemony and pleasantly bitter.

At a glance

• Serves 2
• Prep time: 15 min
• No cooking needed
• Total time: 15 min
• Calories: 150 kcal per serving
• Protein: 4 g
• Fat: 7 g
• Carbs: 18 g

Ingredients

• 150g Medjool dates
• Zest of 1 large unwaxed lemon
• 80g rolled oats
• Extra desiccated coconut
• 1 heaped tsp matcha powder
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 60g cashews
• 1 pinch of sea salt

Method

You’ll need: food processor · grater

1. Blitz the oats and cashews in a food processor to a coarse, flour-like mixture.
2. Add the matcha powder, lemon zest and sea salt and blitz briefly.
3. Add the Medjool dates and melted coconut oil and blend until you have an even, sticky mixture.
4. With slightly damp hands, take small portions and roll them into balls. If you like, roll them in desiccated coconut or a little matcha.
5. Chill the balls until firm.
6. Serve straight from the fridge, or leave them at room temperature for a while so they soften a little.

Good to know

These little balls are fresh, gently bitter and pleasantly sweet. The lemon makes them lively, and the matcha gives them a delicate green note.

Swaps

Medjool dates → unsulphured soft dried apricots (less sugar, more tangy freshness) Oats → almond flour (less starch, more vitamin E) Cashews → almonds (more fibre, more vitamin E, usually slightly fewer carbs) Coconut oil → almond butter (less saturated fat, plus some protein and minerals)

Allergens

Contains tree nuts (cashews) and gluten (oats, unless labelled gluten-free). Because of the caffeine in matcha, only give children small amounts; in pregnancy, count the matcha towards your daily caffeine limit (NHS). Contains: gluten (oats).

Frequently asked questions

What's in matcha, nutritionally?

Matcha contains natural caffeine and polyphenols, mainly catechins. The exact amounts vary considerably with quality and processing.

Are dates just sweetness, or do they bring nutrients too?

Dates provide not just sugar but also fibre and small amounts of potassium and other minerals. Even so, they're a concentrated sweetness and taste intense accordingly.

Why are oats a good choice for energy balls?

Oats contain complex carbohydrates, fibre and naturally occurring beta-glucans. They also bring minerals such as manganese, magnesium and iron.

What do cashews provide besides fat?

Cashews contain unsaturated fats plus copper, magnesium and some iron. They also make the mixture soft and mild in flavour.

Can lemon zest be too much for a sensitive stomach?

Lemon zest brings essential oils and intense aroma compounds. With a sensitive stomach or in very large amounts, citrus can be a little harsh.

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