Jam Doughnut Energy Balls

These delicious energy balls are not only protein packed but also help build and protect collagen. This recipe comes from @ellefrizzell, nutritionist extrordinaire, with a knack for combining healthy ingredients in quick and easy recipes that help support healthy, glowing skin.

This recipe is rich in vitamin E, which helps support healthy, youthful skin. Unfortunately, with time and sun damage, skin’s vitamin E decreases, depleting our natural ability to fight the signs of aging.

Including a number of foods rich in vitamin E, such as nuts, can help bolster levels of this anti-ageing nutrient. It helps to support the immune system, cell function, and skin health. It’s an antioxidant, making it effective at combating the effects of free radicals produced by the metabolism of food and toxins in the environment.

Vitamin E may be beneficial at reducing UV damage to skin and thus help prevent premature ageing.

I’m Elle, a nutritionist, food photographer, soon to be qualified personal trainer, podcaster and blogger at ellefrizzell.com. I’m all about holistic health and have a particular interest in skin and gut health due to experiencing cystic acne and leaky gut. I am a huge foodie and if I’m not sweating my face off in the gym, I’ll be in my kitchen testing out new healthy recipes.

I think vegan collagen is great for adding skin and gut nourishing ingredients to smoothie bowls, raw snacks, treats and drinks. I’m a big fan of the vitamin C rich camu camu, which I often use to make immunity shots in the winter.

Health & happiness, Elle x

Jam Centre

1/2 cup frozen strawberries | contains vitamin C to help boost collagen

2 heaped teaspoons of chia seed | essential fatty acids and omega-3s for skin moisture

1 heaped teaspoon Vegan Collagen | build and protect collagen, anti-ageing antioxidants

Pinch ceylon cinnamon | support circulation and help essential nutrients reach the skin

Doughnut balls

1/2 cup almond meal | rich in vitamin E to protect skin from free radicals

1/2 cup desiccated coconut (plus extra for coating) | skin-nourishing fatty acids

6 medjool dates | nutrient rich

2 tablespoons cashew butter | antioxidant vitamin E to protect against premature ageing

1 tablespoon maple syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

pinch salt

1/4 teaspoon Vegan Collagen for coating

1. Pour the frozen strawberries into a microwavable jug and microwave for 2 minutes. Add the chia seeds, set aside to thicken and cool for 5 – 10 minutes.

2. Add the cinnamon and collagen powder. Blend (I used a hand blender) until smooth / there are no berry lumps.

3. Line a freezeable tray with baking paper and a tiny bit of coconut oil. Dollop little blobs of jam (approx ¾ tsp) onto the baking paper. These will form the jam centre of the doughnut. Freezing the jam makes it so much easier to fold the dough around the jam without making a mess.

4. Freeze for an hour or until set.

5. Meanwhile, make the doughnut energy balls. Add the dates to a bowl and cover in hot water. Let them soak for 15 minutes.

6. Strain the dates and add them to a food processor along with the rest of the doughnut ingredients. Blend until a dough forms. [If it’s too dry, add a splash of water. If it’s too wet, add a little more almond meal.]

7. Store the dough in the fridge until the jam is set.

8. Once the jam is ready, remove from the freezer and tear off a generous tbsp amount of the doughnut mixture. Flatten in the palm of your hand and add a frozen dollop of jam. Fold the doughnut mixture over the jam, then use the palms of your hands to roll into a ball. Repeat until the doughnut mixture is used up.

9. In a small bowl add some desiccated coconut and a little sprinkling of collagen powder, mix. Roll the energy balls in the coconut and collagen mix.

10. Enjoy! They’ll keep in the fridge for 5 days.

Calories: 112

Carbs: 14g 

Protein: 6g

Fat: 6g