Almond Butter and Quinoa Energy Balls

Almond Butter and Quinoa Energy Balls are the powerhouses of snacking! They are loaded with lots of healthy nutrients, easy to make, and quick to grab on the way out the door.

Craving something sweet but don’t want to blow your entire diet? Yep! I am right there with you, and that’s why I wanted to share my homemade quinoa energy balls with you. They are seriously delicious, and most people who eat them aren’t even going to believe they are healthy…even the kiddos!

Sometimes I want something sweet but not overpowering or too heavy on my stomach. That is what I love about these energy bites. They can wake up and help keep you satisfied until your next meal without bogging you down.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED

1. Almond Butter – Go for creamy and natural almond butter for the best results. This Homemade Almond Butter is perfect. Besides being utterly delicious, it’s also a great source of fiber, magnesium, and calcium too. Want these chocolatey? Try using this Chocolate Almond Butter recipe in place of regular almond butter!
2. Quinoa – The bulk of the heartiness comes from the quinoa. It’s the perfect ingredient to keep you full because it has fiber, protein, and is loaded with nutrients.
3. Oats – Another reason to love these energy balls is the oats. They will give your body some zinc, iron, fiber, and lots of antioxidants. So, don’t forget to add them!
4. Maple Syrup – I love the touch of sweetness you get from the maple syrup. It’s just the right amount to be subtle and not too overwhelming. You could also swap it for honey.
5. Flax Seeds – I included ground flaxseed meal in these for its nutritional impact. It also helps hold these together. Make sure you grabbed ground flaxseed for best results. They are a fabulous source of omega-3!
6. Chia Seeds – Just when you thought these almond butter energy bites couldn’t get any more nutritious, you find out I went ahead and added some chia seeds too. Fiber, protein, calcium, and manganese are just some of the reasons to include chia seeds in your diet. (Make some Chia Pudding with your extra chia seeds!)
7. Vanilla – Add a dash of vanilla to your energy balls to get the perfect flavor. You could also try out other flavors of extract like almond to change the flavor from time to time.

HOW TO MAKE ALMOND BUTTER AND QUINOA ENERGY BALLS

1. First, you will need to cook the quinoa by boiling it in water in a saucepan. Once boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes. Take the pan off the heat and allow it to cool down.

2. Combine the almond butter, oats, maple syrup, ground flax seeds, chia seeds, quinoa, and vanilla together in a bowl. Use a wooden spoon and stir until you end up with a sticky dough.

3. Form small balls that are round 1-inch in diameter.

4. Place the balls in the fridge for 30 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

ALMOND BUTTER & QUINOA ENERGY BALLS FAQS

IS IT OKAY TO ADD IN ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS?

Sure! The key is not to overdo it and add in too many things for each batch. Otherwise, they won’t be wet enough and will not hold together tightly. I recommend adding 1/4 cup of your favorite add-ins. Here are some ideas to consider.

• Coconut – You already know how much I love coconut, so I’m sure you aren’t surprised it’s my first recommendation. Add in some unsweetened coconut for some extra pizzazz.
• Chocolate – Dazzle your tastebuds by folding in some chocolate chips or chopped chocolate. I typically reach for sugar-free, but you could really do anything you like here.
• Nuts – Really, any nuts would be good for this recipe. I recommend that you chop them up in a food processor before you begin. That way, they aren’t too big, and they will be easier to eat and not make the energy balls fall apart.
• Dried Fruit – Raisins, dried cranberries, or any dried fruit would give them a little bit extra zing. If the fruit is large, it’s best to chop it into small pieces, or it will be strange to eat.

CAN I MEAL PREP ENERGY BITES?

Yes, you sure can! Prepare 2 or 3 batches and store them in the freezer for up to three months. Then grab what you want. It’s so handy to have them on hand and ready to go whenever you need a little pick-me-up.

DO I HAVE TO USE ALMOND BUTTER?

No, this recipe is easily customized. Swap the almond butter for peanut butter or sunflower seed butter if you are nut-free.

I’m sure you will love these energy bites as much as I do. So, I wanted to be sure to share my Tahini Maple Energy Bites, Birthday Cake Energy Balls, and Cacao Coconut Energy Balls to give you more variety.

If you make this recipe, please leave a star rating below! It’s so helpful for other readers to see which recipes are tried and true! I’d also love to see it–share your photo of this dish and tag me on Instagram, and I’ll feature you!

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Almond Butter and Quinoa Energy Balls

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5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4 from 3 reviews

• Author: Maryea Flaherty of Happy Healthy Mama
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 20 balls 1x
• Diet: Vegan

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Description

Simple and nutritious, these Almond Butter and Quinoa Energy Balls are lightly sweet and satisfying.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• ¾ cup natural almond butter
• 1/2 cup quinoa 
• 1 cup of water
• 1 cup of oats
• ½ cup maple syrup
• 3 tbsp of ground flax seeds
• 3 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Add the quinoa and water in a saucepan, bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from heat and let it cool.
2. In a large bowl add all the ingredients. With a wooden spoon mix well to combine everything. You will end up with a sticky dough that holds together. 
3. With your hand, form small balls about 1 inch of diameter.
4. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Substitution Ideas

• ¾ natural peanut butter instead of almond butter
• To make these nut-free, use sunflower seed butter
• ¼ cup of honey instead of maple syrup 
• 3 tbsp of hemp seeds instead of flax seeds 

Tips

• To make easier to roll the balls, you can place the bowl with the mixture in fridge for 30 minutes. 
• You can keep the energy ball in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 1 week, or freeze for up to 3 months.

 

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: recipes
• Method: no bake
• Cuisine: healthy

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 ball
• Calories: 124
• Sugar: 5.2 grams
• Fat: 6.5 grams
• Saturated Fat: 0.6 grams
• Trans Fat: 0 grams
• Carbohydrates: 13.6 grams
• Fiber: 2.6 grams
• Protein: 3.6 grams