Goji Berry Energy Ball Recipe (2024)

What are goji berries?

Goji berries, also known as wolf berries, are small red or orange-red berries that come from the Lycium barbarum plant and have a slightly sweet and tart flavour.

Goji berries have been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine for their potential health benefits. They are prized for their nutritional content, being rich in various vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other bioactive compounds.

Their potential health benefits include blood sugar regulation, digestive health, cognitive function, eye health, immune system support and energy, in most part due to antioxidants such as beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, and vitamin C.

How to Use Goji Berries

Goji berries are usually used in dried form, much like raisins or cranberries. They have a chewy texture when dried.

Goji berries can be eaten as a snack, or added to trail mix, smoothies, salad dressings, baking, cereal, tea and salads, or used in a variety of recipes like these energy balls.

They’re also perfect for sprinkling over yogurt, banana nice cream, blueberry banana smoothie bowls, mango chia pudding and banana oatmeal.

If you have extra goji berries, they’d make a great addition to this Freekeh Salad, Summer Quinoa Salad, Wild Rice Salad, Tuscan Kale Salad, or you could blend them into a smoothie like this Papaya Smoothie or Beet Orange Smoothie.

They can also be added to any of my energy bar, energy ball or baking recipes. They’d be yummy in these Blueberry Oatmeal Cups, Cherry Almond Bars, Apricot Granola Bars or Lime Coconut Energy Bites.

Recipe Highlights

• Easy way to use goji berries.
• Vegan.
• Gluten-free.
• No added sugars.
• No added oil.
• Healthy snack or dessert.
• Travel well for hiking, road trips, etc.
• 4 healthy ingredients.
• 10 minute recipe.
• Easy to customize.

Variations & Additions

• Coconut Goji Berry Balls: Reduce the cashews to 1/2 cup and add 1 cup fine or medium shredded coconut (desiccated coconut).
• Chocolate-Coated Goji Balls: Dip the balls in melted dark chocolate or drizzle over top of them on a baking sheet and set in the fridge unit firm.
• Spices: Incorporate warming spices like ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom for an extra layer of flavor.
• Ginger: Try adding 2-3 tbsp grated fresh ginger.
• Matcha: Add 1-2 tbsp matcha powder for an earthy flavour and green colour.
• Maca: Incorporate maca powder for its potential energy-boosting properties.
• Citrus: Add 1-3 tbsp lemon juice and/or lemon zest, lime zest or orange zest for a refreshing flavour.
• Seeds: Add up to 1/3 cup chia seeds or hemp seeds for more healthy fats and nutrition. If adding ground flax, use just 3-4 tbsp so the balls aren’t too dry.
• Coating: Experiment with different coatings for your goji balls, such as shredded coconut, crushed nuts, cocoa powder, or even a dusting of matcha.
• Oats: Add up to 1/2 cup rolled oats or substitute the cashews with 1 cup rolled oats.
• Sweetening: Add 1-2 tbsp of pure maple syrup for a sweeter flavour.
• Energy Bars: If you prefer to make energy bars, line an 8×8-inch baking sheet with parchment paper then firmly press the dough into the plan. Firm in the fridge for an hour or two, then lift out of the pan and slice into bars.

Recipe FAQs

Expert Tips

1. Softening Dates: If your dates are a bit dry, soak them in warm water for about 10-15 minutes before blending. This will help soften them, making them easier to blend and resulting in a smoother texture.
2. Texture: The mixture should hold together when squeezed but not be too sticky. If it’s too sticky, add a few more cashews. If it’s too crumbly, add more softened dates or a bit of nut butter.
3. Measuring: For best results, use a digital scale and follow the listed measurements in the recipe.