Why this works
A 3pm snack that does double duty: each bite delivers ~1g of marine collagen peptides, healthy fats, fibre and a small dose of slow-release energy. Beats anything you’d grab from the office kitchen.
Base recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted medjool dates (soaked in hot water for 10 minutes, drained)
- 1 cup raw almonds (or sunflower seeds for nut-free)
- 3 rounded tablespoons Collagen Ultimate+ (~15g)
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
- Desiccated coconut, sesame seeds or cacao powder, for rolling
Method
- Blitz the almonds in a food processor until they reach a coarse meal.
- Add the drained dates, Collagen Ultimate+, chia seeds, coconut oil, vanilla and salt. Process for 60–90 seconds until the mixture clumps together when pressed.
- If the mixture feels too dry, add 1 teaspoon of warm water at a time. If too wet, add 1 tablespoon of almond meal.
- Roll into 14–16 walnut-sized balls.
- Roll each ball in desiccated coconut, sesame seeds or cacao.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Three variations
1. Cacao Add 2 tablespoons raw cacao powder + 1 tablespoon cacao nibs to the base recipe. Roll in cacao + a pinch of sea salt. 2. Matcha Replace 1 tablespoon Collagen Ultimate+ with 1 tablespoon culinary matcha. Roll in matcha + desiccated coconut. 3. Raspberry Add 2 tablespoons freeze-dried raspberry powder. Roll in extra freeze-dried raspberry.
Naturopath’s note
"Pre-make a batch on Sunday afternoon. They sit happily in the fridge for two weeks and stop the 3pm sugar reflex without a blood sugar crash."
Storage
- Fridge: airtight container, up to 14 days.
- Freezer: separated on a tray then bagged, up to 3 months.
Macros (approx, per bite — cacao version)
Calories ~115 kcal · Protein 4g · Carbs 11g · Fat 7g · Fibre 2g
