Powerballs / Energy Balls (Healthy & Easy) Recipe

Powerballs have a satiating combination of protein, good carbs, healthy fats, and high in fiber. Which helps build lean muscle mass, boost energy and aid weight maintenance.

Also called energy balls, each ball offers you between 100-250 calories depending on the ingredients.

Here’s a snack that passes as healthy but tastes good enough that it could replace your dessert!

Everybody loves these no baking protein balls. Who wouldn’t?

Moreover, power balls are portable, so they are the perfect healthy on-the-go snack.

What Are The Benefits Of PowerBalls?

We love these energy bites because they are…

• No-bake snacks
• Perfect for a meal-prep snack
• Healthy and packed with protein + fiber
• Easy to make, mix, and match ingredients
• Portability- energy balls are just that – you can throw them in your bag and eat them on the go!
• Balanced Macros.  Energy balls are the perfect blend of all three (carbs, protein, and healthy fats) to give you energy and keep you sustained!
• Customizable- which means you can make it your own with the type of flavor/ingredients you like.

In Nigeria, we call our power/energy balls Donkwa / Dakuwa (Corn and Peanut Balls)

It is a popular northern Nigerian street snack made from roasted, dried and milled maize and groundnuts.

Recipe

Donkwa / Dakuwa / Tanfiri is made of finely grounded cornmeal and groundnut, spiced with chili peppers then mixed with a small amount of oil and water.

Depending on the locality, ground tiger-nuts (ofio) or ginger may also be added.

Donkwa has got a lot going for it – high in protein, (where do vegans get their protein from? Snacks), gluten-free and an exclusive taste experience

This recipe requires no cooking process, a great snack to try out, spicy and nutty with sweet flavors.
Ingredients

• 1 cup dried maize powder
• ¼ cup groundnut powder
• 1 tbsp. Sugar/dates (optional)
• 2 tbsp. Of groundnut oil
• 1 tbsp. dry Chili pepper powder

Preparation

1. Number 1, firstly check the maize and groundnut powder for impurities. You can sieve the maize to remove the chaff.
2. Secondly, you can alternatively, grind dry (roasted) maize and groundnut in your blender.
3. Thirdly, mix ground maize and groundnut, pepper and sugar (optional) carefully in a bowl till smooth.
4. After that, gradually add oil to the mixture and stir, you will see it solidify with time.
5. Then, continue to mix well and add oil until the mixture becomes firm to mold without disintegrating.
6. Lastly, mold the balls into balls or any shape you want. The result? Your healthy Donkwa is ready!

Variations

• Here is a little twist to it; once the donkwa is set, pour the chocolate mixture on it and drizzle with coconut flakes.
• Low carb substitute, using almond flour and coconut flour instead of maize and groundnut powder.
• Toast the almond flour and coconut flour until it turned brown and brings out the oil and nutty flavor from the almond nuts.

Donkwa / Dakuwa / Tanfiri Picture