78 SPRING 2020 FOOD & DRINK
RAISING THE BAR
FOR EVENSIZED BALLS, USE A SMALL COOKIE
DOUGH SCOOP TO MEASURE OUT EACH PORTION.
PEANUT BUTTER,
BANANA & CINNAMON
ENERGY BITES
What makes these energy bites
special is the combination of tex-
tures. The addition of puff ed rice
makes for a much lighter consis-
tency compared to your average
protein ball. The puff ed rice
also adds a little crunch to each
bite. The banana brings a natural
sweetness to the fi lling, making
this recipe a great low-added
sugar alternative. Use the ripest
banana you can get your hands
on; the riper the banana, the
sweeter the result!
1 large ripe banana, mashed
⁄ cup (175 mL) natural creamy
peanut butter
⁄ cup (60 mL) pure maple syrup
1 tsp (5 mL) pure vanilla extract
⁄ cup (60 mL) hemp hearts
⁄ teaspoon (2 mL) ground
cinnamon
1 pinch sea salt
2 cups (500 mL) brown rice puff s
or puff ed quinoa, plus more for
rolling
1 Place banana, peanut butter,
maple syrup, vanilla, hemp hearts,
cinnamon and sea salt in a food
processor. Blend until mixture
begins to come together, about
60 seconds. Add puff ed rice and
pulse a few times. Refrigerate for
30 minutes to fi rm.
2 Shape mixture into 15 bite-sized
balls. Roll each ball in puff ed rice.
3 Refrigerate until ready to eat.
Store in an airtight container for
up to a week.
Makes 15 bites
Vega n +
gluten-free