Matcha Balls

These no bake Matcha balls are the ultimate healthy snack, that is loaded with protein. A soft and chewy, cookie dough like centre, made with raw almond, oats and matcha powder, coated with white chocolate.

Healthy Matcha Protein Balls

If you need a healthy dessert or snack, you can’t go past these no bake green tea Matcha Balls. Think matcha bliss balls or energy balls, but soft and chewy, just like cookie dough, and coated in white chocolate. They may seem indulgent, but these Matcha Balls are made with wholesome ingredients like almond flour, oats and chia seeds. And lets’ face it, you just can’t go wrong combining matcha powder with white chocolate.

Why you’ll love this Matcha Balls recipe

• Are sweet enough to satisfy those sugar cravings!
• Requires no cooking!
• They’re quick and easy – can be ready in less than 30 minutes!
• Uses less than 10 easily accessible ingredients!
• Are budget friendly!
• Are loaded with energy and protein to help fuel you throughout the day.
• Uses healthy ingredients that will keep you full!

Nutrition

Are energy balls healthy?

As a dietitian, I’m a big fan of this Matcha Balls recipe. Not only do they taste amazing, but they also come with a load of benefits, such as:

• They are chock full of protein, with over 13g per serve. So they are perfect for keeping full between meals, or if you want to put on some muscle mass!
• Have just over 6g of dietary fibre per serve. Which makes them a great snack for supporting your the bacteria in your gut, and over all gut health!
• Are loaded with healthy fats, such as Omega 3s and monounsaturated fatty acids. Including healthy fats in our diets is important, because they help our bodies absorb vitamins A, D, E and K.
• Are low in sodium and cholesterol, which makes them a better choice for our heart and vascular health.
• Are made with antioxidant rich ingredients, such as matcha, almond, chia seeds and more! These antioxidants help neutralise free radicals, which promotes healthy aging and reduce the risk of certain diseases.

Ingredients for Matcha Balls

• Almond flour – Is the best choice for this recipe, as it can be eaten raw.
• Five grain porridge – More grains, means more variety of nutrients and dietary fibres. I used the Macro Five Grain Porridge from Woolworths
• Chia seeds – I used white chia seeds to help keep to help keep the lovely green colour of the matcha powder. Black chia seeds will result in darker Matcha Balls.
• Flaxseed meal – Helps to bind the Matcha Balls together, and adds some extra dietary fibre.
• Vanilla protein powder – Preferably plant-based, for both flavour and extra protein! I used Nature’s Way Instant Natural Protein Powder, which you can find at both Coles and Woolworths.
• Matcha powder – Adds a subtle earthy, grassy flavour. Use culinary matcha powder rather than ceremonial. You will still get the health benefits using the culinary version, but without spending extra. If you cannot find matcha powder at your local supermarket, check out Asian grocers or Amazon.
• Maple syrup – For a touch of sweetness.
• White chocolate – Is a match made in heaven with matcha powder. Has to be the white chocolate melts you find in the baking aisle. Regular white chocolate will not melt well.
• Extra virgin olive oil – A good, healthy fat for thinning out the chocolate.

How to make Matcha Balls

1. Add the five grain porridge and chia seeds to a high speed blender and blitz into a fine crumb.
2. Pour the grains and chia blend in a large bowl. Add in the almond flour, flaxseed meal, protein powder and matcha powder, stir with a whisk to combine.

3. In a small bowl /  jug, mix the water and maple syrup. Pour the sweetened water into the dry ingredients bowl and stir. Once the mixture thickens, knead until a dough forms. If the dough is dry, add more water 1 teaspoon at a time.

4. Grab a small chunk of matcha cookie dough and roll it into a ball. Repeat with the remaining dough.
5. Add the white chocolate and extra virgin olive oil to a small bowl. Heat in the microwave for 10 – 15 seconds at a time or until melted.

Storage

These Matcha Balls are best stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.

However, you can freeze them for up to 3 months.

Substitutes & variations

• Matcha – Leave out to make cookie dough balls.
• White chocolate – Substitute for dark chocolate, or you can use chocolate chips instead of a coating.
• Five grain porridge – If using just rolled oats, reduce the water to half a cup. Do not use oat flour, as it is unlikely to have been heat treated, and may contain harmful bacteria. Or you can switch it out for extra almond flour.
• Protein powder – Extra almond meal and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Other dietary

• Gluten free – Use gluten free certified oats, and check the chocolate ingredients for hidden gluten.
• Nut free – Swap the almond flour for extra blitzed five grain mix or rolled oats.
• Vegan – Use vegan friendly chocolate.

Tips

The Matcha Balls will naturally darken to more of an olive green, especially if left uncoated. This the matcha oxidising, but they are still fine to eat.

Your Matcha Balls should be room temperature when coating in the chocolate. Otherwise the melted chocolate may solidify.

Watch how to make it

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