Psst…come here…I have a secret to share. It’s my new guilty pleasure, orbs of decadence, all sweet and satisfying, with a tantalizing texture reminiscent of cookie dough. Walnut Date Oat Balls! The best part of the secret? You don’t have to feel guilty about ‘em! They’re vegan, gluten-free, raw, without processed sugar, all that good stuff…but…they taste amazing and they are incredibly easy to make.
I came across the recipe a couple weeks ago while reading the online version of the Fargo newspaper. It’s been almost 18 years since I moved away, but the internet keeps me connected and they really do have a quality paper, which seems increasingly rare these days.
The column accompanying the recipe suggests eating these tasty treats when that mid-morning hunger starts gnawing at you, but you’re still frustratingly far from lunch time. So that’s my plan—I’ll bring a couple Walnut Date Oat Balls to work and keep them in the freezer till the need arises to stave off pangs that make me go in search of a candy dish to raid or head to the break room in hopes a co-worker has brought something yummy to share. I can’t wait!
Walnut Date Oat Balls
From The Great Indoors with Tracy Briggs in the Fargo Forum
2 cups raw walnuts
1 cup packed, pitted Medjool dates
1 cup rolled or quick oats
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup raisins (I used golden raisins)
Process walnuts in food processor until they are almost like butter. Add the dates and process until it becomes like cookie dough in texture. Then add the oats, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Process a little longer, then add the raisins and process just until they are combined.
Shape into balls about 1 ½ inches in diameter and freeze. They are the perfect texture straight from the freezer. Enjoy!
Finding my Inner Chef 