Black Sesame Energy Balls (Printable)

Nutritious bite-sized snacks with oats, tahini, and toasted black sesame seeds for a healthy pick-me-up.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 3 tablespoons black sesame seeds
03 - 1/4 cup almond meal or finely ground almonds
04 - Pinch of sea salt

→ Wet Ingredients

05 - 1/3 cup tahini
06 - 1/4 cup maple syrup
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Optional Add-Ins

08 - 2 tablespoons mini dark chocolate chips
09 - 1 tablespoon chia seeds

# How to Make It:

01 - Toast the black sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant. Transfer to a plate and allow to cool completely.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, almond meal, toasted black sesame seeds, and sea salt. Mix thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together tahini, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
04 - Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until thoroughly combined. The mixture should be sticky enough to hold together. If too dry, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of water gradually while mixing.
05 - Fold in chocolate chips or chia seeds if using, stirring gently to distribute evenly throughout the mixture.
06 - Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of the mixture and roll between your palms into uniform balls. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
07 - Refrigerate the energy balls for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows them to firm up and develop better texture.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They taste indulgent like a treat but your body actually thanks you for eating them.
  • No baking required means you can have snacks ready in less time than it takes to brew coffee.
  • The nutty sesame flavor feels sophisticated enough to impress guests, yet simple enough that anyone can make them.
02 -
  • The wet mixture should be sticky enough that you can pinch it together, but not so wet that the balls refuse to hold their shape no matter how hard you roll them.
  • Toasting the sesame seeds yourself instead of using pre-toasted ones makes a noticeable difference in flavor depth and freshness.
03 -
  • Don't skip toasting the black sesame seeds yourself because that fragrant moment tells you exactly when they're ready and awakens flavors that pre-toasted versions can't match.
  • The mixture should feel tacky like wet sand when you're ready to roll, so if it seems too dry or too wet, adjust with tiny amounts of water or an extra spoon of oats.
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