Pre-Workout Mocha Chip Bliss Balls

These mocha chip bliss balls are my new favorite pre-work out snack. They are nutrient-packed to fuel your workout and the little bit of caffeine from the espresso is just an added bonus!

I tend to opt for a snack like these as opposed to a pre-workout you can buy at a health food store. While the pre-workouts from health food stores can give you a great blast of energy, I find that they can put too much stress on my body and cause undesirable side effects later in the day (hello insomnia!).

Plus these balls are delicious and easy to grab-n-go!

Ingredients:

1 cup almond flour
1/4 cup cacao powder
2 tsp maca powder
pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 shot of espresso
2 tbsp coconut butter
1/2 cup almond butter
2 tbsp maple syrup
2 tbsp shelled hemp seeds
2 tbsp cacao nibs
2 tbsp coconut oil

Chocolate Coating (Optional, but recommended):
1 cup of chocolate chips
1 tsp coconut oil

Instructions:

1. Combine all of the dry ingredients in a large bowl until well combined (almond flour through salt).

2. Add the rest of the ingredients for the balls to the dry ingredients and mix with a hand mixer or by hand until combined.

3. Form the dough into balls (about 1.5 inches thick) and place on a baking pan lined with parchment paper.

4. Put the balls in the freezer for 1 hour.

5. If you are coating with chocolate: Put the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds and then stir. Repeat this until the chocolate is melted (about 1.5 minutes in the microwave total). Make sure not to overheat the chocolate as it will burn easily and be unusable.

6. Take the balls out of the freezer and dip them into the chocolate using a tooth pick. Set the chocolate covered balls on the parchment paper lined baking sheet.

7. Once coated, freeze the balls for another 15 minutes before serving.

8. Enjoy!