With Halloween steadily approaching and the homey taste of fall setting, we are presenting our top 5 fun recipes for a colorful assortment of candy alternatives including Matcha Energy Balls and Stuffed Dates! There is nothing wrong with processed sugars in moderation, but having multiple options can only be a good thing when health is a priority.

Top 5 Recipes:

1. Matcha Energy Balls
2. Pink Energy Balls
3. Chocolate Covered Pretzel Dates
4. White Chocolate Walnut Stuffed Dates
5. Pistachio Stuffed Dates

 

Matcha Energy Balls:

First in the limelight are these Green Matcha Energy Balls, these are great for anyone who wants to get brilliantly crafty and make an exciting and delicious snack without an oven. 

• 1/2 cup Pitted Medjool Dates
• 2 tbsp Matcha Tea Powder
• 1/2 cup Oats
• 1/2 cup Raw Walnuts
• 1/4 cup Pumpkin Seeds
• 1/2 cup Dark Chocolate
• 2 tbsp Lemon Zest
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 2 tbsp Maple Syrup

Steps:

1. Add all the grains to a food processor and blend until finely incorporated.

2. Next, add the matcha powder and lemon zest and pulse until evenly mixed.

3. Add the chopped dates, vanilla, and maple syrup, then blend until a coarse dough forms

4. Using a tablespoon to measure servings and roll them into balls using your fingers and palms, then chill in the refrigerator.

5. Melt the Chocolate then dip dough balls in the chocolate, transfer to a parchment paper-lined container and cool again until the chocolate is solid. Finally using a sieve dust the balls with matcha powder!

 

Pink Energy Balls:

For our second pick, we are sticking with the energetic theme for snack presentation, and adding pink to the mix for the mad kitchen scientist in all of us! After all, it's important to eat our colors! 

• 3/4 cup Pitted Medjool Dates
• 1/2 cup Frozen Raspberries
• 3/4 cup Oatmeal⁠
• 1 tsp Cashew Butter⁠
• 1/2 cup Chocolate (Optional)
• 1Tbsp Dragon Fruit Powder (Optional)

Steps:

1. In a food processor blend your dates until they form a paste.

2. Add the butter oatmeal and berries and blend until a coarse dough-like mixture forms.

3. Scoop with a spoon and make 10-12 balls then cool in the refrigerator.

(Optional) Melt the chocolate and dip the dough balls and transfer to a parchment-lined paper and cool again, once solid use a sieve and coat in Dragon Fruit Powder for a luscious and vibrant pink treat!

 

Chocolate Covered Pretzel Dates:

For our third pick, we wanted to include a timeless salty-sweet snack, so we are including this recipe for Pretzel Stuffed Chocolate Covered Dates!

• 1/2 cup of Pitted Medjool Dates
• 1/2 cup of Preferred Pretzel Snack
• 1/2 cup of Chocolate

Steps:

1. Place 1 piece of your pretzel snack inside each Date and set aside

2. Melt your Chocolate

3. Dip, Drizzle, or cover your stuffed date in Chocolate!

 

White Chocolate Walnut Stuffed Dates:

The best pairing for a salty-sweet snack is doubly sweet, that said here's this recipe for Dates stuffed with Caramelized Walnuts and covered in White Chocolate!

• 1/2 cup Pitted Medjool Dates
• 1/2 cup of Chopped White Chocolate
• 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
• 1 tbsp Butter
• 1/2 cup Raw Walnuts

Steps:

1. Add the sugar to a pan on medium-high heat to melt

2. While the sugar is melting, in a separate bowl use a microwave to melt your Chocolate then mix until smooth and reaches room temperature

3. Add butter to the pan and incorporate it into your melted sugar then turn off the heat and mix in the walnuts

4. Using a spoon, stuff the dates with the mixture then, cover, dip, or drizzle them in your chocolate

5. Refrigerate before serving

 

Pistachio Stuffed Dates:

The best way to tie these recipes together is with Dates Stuffed with a Pistachio puree and topped with salt crystals for that satisfying crunch!

• 1/2 cup of Shelled Pistachios
• Pinch of Coarse Salt
• 1/2 cup Pitted Medjool Dates
• 1 tbsp Toasted Unsweetened Shredded Coconut

Steps:

1. In a food processor, puree pistachios until thick paste forms and season with salt

2. Spoon mixture into Dates topped with coconut and enjoy!

 

Halloween is only one of the many holidays where finding a healthy balance between sweets and nutrition will be challenging. However it is an often overlooked opportunity to reinforce a varied diet that increases the intake of "good" foods and moderates the intake of "bad" foods. Each of the recipes listed above may not be low-calorie, but they do contain natural sugars (with the exception of the Dates stuffed with Caramelized Walnuts) and nutrients that would otherwise not be present in something like a candy bar.