Black sesame balls are energy balls ~ easy and simple to prepare with only 2 ingredients sesame seeds and sweetener. I want to make energy balls with all possible colors and make them more nutritious. You can expect more color of energy balls in a future post.
Food for the thought
“You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul.” – Swami Vivekananda
Benefits of the ingredients (source)
Black sesame seeds are an especially rich source of macrominerals and trace minerals. Some of the trace minerals in black sesame seeds — in particular iron, copper, and manganese — are important for regulating your metabolism, cell functioning, and immune system, as well as the circulation of oxygen throughout your body.
Coconut sugar: Support metabolic functions.
Variations
Use white sesame seeds in place of black. Regular sugar, palm sugar, or brown sugar can be used as a sweetener. For flavor I used cardamom, you can use any extract like vanilla, chocolate, or just omit.
Preparing sesame seed balls
Dry roast sesame seeds till it pops up. Once cooled add the coconut sugar and process it. For shaping use 1 or 2 tsp of oil. If using agave nectar or maple syrup grind the sesame seeds to a fine powder and then add agave nectar and process it to form a sticky dough. If using liquid sweetener do not use oil.
How to shape the sesame balls?
If the mixture is too dry, add oil a tsp at a time to see it holds the shape. Mostly coconut sugar, white sugar has less moisture. While grinding some sesame seeds produce little oil like any other nuts. Check before you shape it.
You can use water to shape too, but the shelf life of the sesame seeds balls will be less.
Can I use white sesame seeds?
Yes, definitely you can. Use the same method to make white sesame balls. Due to the higher benefits of black sesame, I used black.
Difference between white and black sesame seeds
Sesame seeds grow in different colors. However, there are some sesame seeds that they remove the outer hull and named white sesame seeds. Black sesame seeds have a strong flavor and crispier compared to white ones.
What type of sweetener can be added?
Brown sugar, white sugar, or palm sugar can be used. Mostly palm sugar has more moisture and you can use less or no oil to hold the shape. The other alternates are maple syrup and agave nectar.
Other recipes
You can find some healthy energy balls in this blog like
Colorful energy balls
Caramelized peanut fudge
Rolled Nuts
The above recipe is mostly sugar-free or coconut sugar will be used as an alternative.
Storing the sesame balls
Sesame balls can be stored at room temperature for a week or 10 days if you are not using water. You can refrigerate it for 2 weeks.
Black Sesame Balls
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup black sesame seeds
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1 tbsp cardomom powder optional
- 2 tsp sesame oil or olive oil if needed
Instructions
- Roast the sesame seeds on high heat until all seeds pop. Keep stirring in between.
- In a processor or high-speed blender add the sesame seeds, coconut sugar, cardamom powder, and blend to a fine powder.
- If the mixture is too dry, add 1 or 2 tsp gradually to shape into a small ball.