Recipe #6: Snack Balls
Four variations of this "paleo" recipe will keep your snacks interesting and healthful. If you're allergic to tree nuts, skip the last two recipes, which call for macadamias and cashews – or try replacing the nuts with sunflower seeds (but check the package to make sure the seeds haven't been prepared with nut products).

Makes: About 2 dozen balls

Ingredients

Apple Pie
1 cup soft Medjool dates, pitted
1 cup crunchy cinnamon apple chips, such as Brothers-All-Natural
1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1 cup dried, soft cinnamon apple rings
¾ cup raisins

Banana Bread
1 cup soft Medjool dates, pitted
1 cup unsweetened banana chips (check ingredients for allergens)
1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes (check ingredients for allergens)
1 cup dried soft whole bananas, cut into 2-inch pieces

Coconut Cream
1 cup soft Medjool dates, pitted
1 cup raw cashews or sunflower seeds
1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes (check ingredients for allergens)

Chocolate Chip Cookie
1 cup soft Medjool dates, pitted
1 cup raw macadamia nuts or sunflower seeds
¼ cup unsweetened coconut flakes (check ingredients for allergens)
¼ cup chocolate chips (check ingredients for allergens)

Preparation
1. In a food processor, purée the dates until a thick ball of paste forms. This is the glue that will hold everything together.
2. Using a spoon, break up the date ball, and then add the chips (except the chocolate chips) or nuts and coconut. Pulse to distribute and combine into a coarse meal.
3. Finally, add any soft dried fruit or chocolate chips and pulse just to incorporate. Putting this in last will keep it from being chopped completely, leaving little bits intact to enjoy.
4. Scoop out a 2-tablespoon portion of the mixture and roll by hand into a ball. Roll the ball in the shredded coconut or finely chopped nuts until coated. Repeat with the remaining mixture and coating.

Coating (for 1 recipe):
½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut (check ingredients) or finely chopped raw nuts of choice
Note: The sky is the limit on your choices here! Experiment with your own flavors, keeping the ratio of dates and other dried fruit to dry nuts at 1:1. If you can't find soft, plump Medjool dates rehydrate harder and drier dates by soaking them in hot water for 10 to 20 minutes.

Reprinted by permission from Real Life Paleo ^[1], by Stacy Toth and Matthew McCarry (Victory Belt Publishing, 2014).