Sesame is one of those flavors that grabs you by the throat. I’m addicted to it, which, I’m hoping, is legal. Unlike poppy seeds, there are no limits to how much of it you can buy. And so far, I don’t have to show my picture ID when I buy it by the pound.

I figured out that when you purchase it in those tiny 2 oz red containers, you are actually paying about $20 per pound. Then I found them in bulk for $3.99 per pound at a health food store and I knew I was in heaven.

So now, rather than just sprinkle a few into my granola and my energy balls,(recipe coming soon) I can literally roll peanut butter balls in them – bathing them in sesame crunchiness.

And dates – nature’s candy – are the perfect sweetener for these, with just a touch of honey to hold them all together.

But first, I like to dry roast the seeds. Just pour a cup of sesame seeds into a clean non-stick frying pan and “roast” them for 2-3 minutes, stirring often. The color goes from white to golden and it really brings out the flavor. And the little crunch is the bonus round.

This recipe makes several dozen balls made from my 2 tablespoon scoop. You can easily cut this in half – or double it!

Ingredients for Sesame Seed, Peanut Butter, Date Energy Balls
1 cup roasted sesame seeds
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup quick oats
1 cup chopped dates
2 TBS honey

Directions
Roast the seeds and set them aside to cool.
Put the rest of the ingredients into a bowl and mix well.
Form into balls and roll each one in the sesame seeds.
Store in the refrigerator between feedings.

You’ll be so happy you have these ready to go. They’re great for:
• Breakfast
• After school snacks
• After soccer, track or piano practice
• A sweet treat that won’t set your blood sugar on a roller coaster
• Before dinner to hold off the hunger pangs