Matcha Balls Recipe (Goji Berry Energy Bites)

Matcha Balls Recipe (with Goji!)

Today we are making a Goji Berry Matcha Balls Recipe! This is a no bake, vegan energy ball recipe that uses two special ingredients: matcha and goji berries! Matcha is a Japanese green tea powder (it comes from crushed green tea leaves) and has a vibrant green color. Goji berries are a bright red berry native to China, of which we are using the dried form. These ingredients have been called superfoods, and for good reason!

But how did matcha tea become so widespread in the United States, if it’s native to Japan? In the past decade, matcha lattes have become a common alternative to coffee, offered in so many cafes! It’s thought to have come into the U.S. market by being offered in popular cities first, such as Los Angeles (which has one of the largest Japanese populations outside Japan)!

Over the last ten to fifteen years, caffeine alternatives to coffee (and the health foods consumer base) have risen dramatically. Matcha seemed to be in the right place at the right time, and the matcha latte is now one of my personal favorite drinks!

Goji Berry Benefits

Aside from matcha having amazing health benefits, let’s talk about goji berries! These berries are full of antioxidants, which help protect against free radicals in the body – free radicals are what break down the skin’s collagen! Goji berries also contain more amino acids than any other common berry – 11, to be exact.

On top of this, goji berry extract has been found to have anti-cancerous properties, boost brain function, lower blood sugar, lower blood pressure and more. It is so respected in the Far East that Tibetans even hold a festival in its honour!

The goji berries add a slightly sweet flavor, which opposes the bitterness of the matcha. If you’ve tried matcha powder without any sweetener, it’s extremely bitter! But it brings such a unique taste to the table that I couldn’t resist trying out energy balls focused around that green tea flavor (no wonder the matcha latte took off so well at Starbucks)!

Why You’ll Love This Goji Berries Matcha Balls Recipe

Double Antioxidants!: These little balls of goodness combine the health benefits of matcha, goji berries and all the other nutrient-packed ingredients. This is perfect for energy, a sweet tooth and a packable snack! The flavor is also quite unique – I haven’t seen this combination of red and green in any other recipe, but they complement each other so well!

Substitutions

Medjool Dates: Dates are a great healthy snack all on their own, and they also work to help to bind the dough (and keep the recipe au naturel – no added sugars)! You can also try using plump black raisins. Medjool dates are very soft and don’t need to be soaked in water before using.

However, if you can’t squish the dates with your hand, you can soak them in warm water until they are soft enough. Make sure to drain any excess water before using, and pat the extra water out of the dates with a towel as well.

For 1-2 tbsp of the dates, you can also try to substitute pure maple syrup or agave nectar instead. Liquid sweeteners would also help to bind the dough.

Coconut Flour: Substitute almond flour instead. Coconut flour is more dry, so the dough may be stickier than usual.

Raw Cashews: Make sure the cashews are not roasted and salted, only raw. Substitute with other dry, healthy fats, such as blanched almonds, macadamia nuts, unsweetened coconut flakes, almond meal or more almond flour. Alternatively, other flours that are not high in fat, such as oat flour or some vanilla protein powder, may work as well.

Matcha Powder: You can find matcha at most major grocery chains, such as Whole Foods. It would be in the natural foods aisle, usually not in the regular green tea section. Buy pure culinary grade matcha, which is not as bitter as ceremonial grade. Check the ingredients to make sure it is only matcha without any additives.

Goji Berries: Find these at health food stores, online or in the natural section of your grocery store. I like Organic Traditions brand.

Matcha Balls Recipe Notes

• I like to keep these matcha bites in the fridge, so they become more dense and chewy rather than leaving them at room temperature!
• I recommend to oil your hands with a neutral oil before rolling the balls. Refined coconut oil (that does not smell like coconuts) works well. This way, the dough doesn’t stick to your hands.
• To make elevated green tea energy balls, mix in some sesame seeds, dark chocolate chips or lemon zest to change up the flavor!

More Energy Ball Recipes You’ll Love

Toasted Fig Hazelnut Balls

Coconut Carrot Cake Bites

Cookie Dough Bites

Raspberry Lamington Balls

Turmeric Apricot Balls

Vanilla Spumoni Bites

If you make this Green Tea Energy Balls Recipe, then leave a comment and star rating! Don’t forget to tag your photos @peanut_palate on Instagram. Enjoy!