Raw Sunflower Seed Protein Balls
Sometimes you need a cookie. Well for me, I kind of need a stash of cookies. That said, I would rather have my cookies be full of nutrients, not empty calories. Almonds, sunflower seeds and cacao nibs are full of nutrients! And these little guys are great travelers so if you need something for your lunch, or car trip, pick them!
The cookies start with a base of sunflower almond butter (recipe to follow) and with the quick addition of oats, coconut sugar and cacao nibs, rolled into little spheres of delight. And did you know that there are studies that say that people who eat nuts every day tend to live longer? Check out Nuts May Extend Your Life over at one of my favorite sites, NutritionFacts.org.
These protein balls are high calorie and as you know, I am not one of those raw food people that promote pigging out on the desserts. As always, eat in moderation as a wonderful treat to your healthy diet. These do have a little coconut oil in them but a very small amount if you figure there is less than 1/12th of a tablespoon in each cookie.
Click the link in the recipe for our favorites. Don’t be afraid, they taste great and bring just the right amount of chocolate without all the other undesirable ingredients of chocolate chips.
Sunflower Almond Butter Cookies with Cacao Nibs
makes 20-24 cookies
- 2 cups almonds
- 1 cup sunflower seeds
- 1 cup raw oat flakes
- 1/2 + 1/4 cup coconut sugar, divided
- 1/2 cup cacao nibs
- small pinch Himalayan salt
- 2 tablespoons coconut butter (can omit and just 2 tablespoons water)
- Place almonds and sunflower seed in high-speed blender and blend until very smooth. Alternatively, make the nut-butter following the instructions here: Almond Butter
- Mix all ingredients together using 1/2 cup coconut sugar.
- Roll into balls and roll in remaining coconut sugar.
- Refrigerate to set.
danielle wrote on May 15, 2015
these look amazing, i bet the possibilties/combos are endless but this almond/sunflower seed combo sounds delightful! i’ve been trying to find something i don’t have to bake but satisfies my cravings. thank you!
Michelle wrote on May 15, 2015
Hi Susan,
Are the sunflower seeds and almonds soaked?
Susan wrote on May 24, 2015
Hi, Michelle, Thanks for asking! The recipe will specifically call for soaked nuts if you are to use them. Soaking nuts introduces a lot of liquid into the recipe. You can always pre-soak and fully dry your nuts and seeds for a recipe like this if you are concerned about the enzyme inhibitors. Cheers!
Tilly wrote on May 15, 2015
What could the coconut sugar be substituted with?
Susan wrote on May 24, 2015
Hi, Tilly, I would have to know why you want to substitute the coconut sugar to send you in the right direction. Cheers!
Kate wrote on May 15, 2015
Hi there,
You can buy raw organic almond butter easily in the UK. Would you know how much to use so I don’t have to make the almond butter myself?
Cheers
Kate
Kenda wrote on May 14, 2015
How much almond butter. Is this in addition to the 2 cups of almonds? I’m sorta confused.
Susan wrote on May 14, 2015
Hi, Kenda, If you don’t want to make the sunflower seed almond butter that is a part of the recipe, you can substitute almond butter that you buy at the store. I am guessing you will need a cup to a cup and a half. It replaces the almonds and sunflower seeds. Cheers!
Pop Deek wrote on May 14, 2015
Yikes! They look so yummy! What are raw oat flakes though? Do you buy them someplace (I’ve never seem ’em), or do you make them yourself from raw oat groats?
Susan wrote on May 14, 2015
Hi, Pop, You can read more about raw oat flakes here: http://www.rawmazing.com/make-raw-oat-flakes-and-a-give-away/
shernell wrote on May 14, 2015
I love the way these balls look,they would be perfect for a dinner party. Thanks for sharing these excellent recipes.
Susan wrote on May 14, 2015
You are welcome, Shernell! 🙂
KendA wrote on May 14, 2015
Susan I hope this doesn’t sound like a stupid question, but do you need to make the almond butter for this recipe or was it just an added recipe. Also where can I get raw oats?
Thanks
Susan wrote on May 14, 2015
Hi, Kenda, The instructions for the sunflower seed almond butter are included in the recipe. If you don’t want to make it, you can just substitute almond butter. You can read about raw oats here: http://www.rawmazing.com/make-raw-oat-flakes-and-a-give-away/
Doro wrote on May 14, 2015
These look delicious! What could I substitute for the oats?
Susan wrote on May 14, 2015
Hi, Doro, you could try flax. Cheers!