Taya Starling

So by now it should be no surprise to you all that my house is perpetually full of treats. Actually not just treats but full on junk food too. In my defense I was raised on EVERYTHING so to justify my endless baking (& the chips I hide in the cupboards) I also keep the house stocked with fresh fruits and veg plus healthy snacks like nuts, granola, homemade hummus, and raw bars or bliss balls.

To keep in theme with life balance this Valentine’s Day, not only did I make super guilt-full salted caramel cups and chocolate fudge cake truffles, I also made chocolate strawberry bliss balls. These choco-strawberry bliss balls are super healthy and have added plant protein making them vegan. And raw. And gluten free. So take that Cupid!

Let’s just say Hubby couldn’t complain about the copious amounts of chocolate treats in the house now that I also had healthier treats available as well. Personally I eat equal parts salted caramel cups and choco-strawberry bliss balls daily so no complaints here!

Here’s what you’ll need:

3/4 cup natural peanut or almond butter

1 cup uncooked rolled oats

1/3 cup raw honey or high quality maple syrup

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 scoops of chocolate or vanilla plant based protein (could also use regular protein if you’re not plant based)

1/2 cup freeze dried strawberries (could also be raspberries if you prefer)

1/3 cup mini vegan chocolate chips (you could also use regular mini chocolate chips if you’re not vegan)

Here’s what you’ll do:

Throw the oats, nut butter, sweetener, vanilla extract, and protein into your food processor and pulse til combined and a dough forms.

Scrape it all into a bowl.

Add the freeze dried strawberry pieces and mini chocolate chips. Stir well to combine.

Scoop out with a spoon and roll into 1 inch or so balls.

I store mine in an airtight glass jar in the fridge.

I honestly couldn’t tell you how long they’d last because mine have never lasted more than a few days. Intelligent estimate, in the fridge these should last up to 2 weeks or 3 months in the freezer in an air right container.

Your body will thank you for this one.