Healthy Energy Balls (Super easy!)

Bust those low-energy moments with these super easy, no-bake nutrient-loaded energy balls. They are delicious, good for you, and easy to store.

I’ve been making energy balls since before my youngest, Luke, was born. These Chickpea Energy Balls were the first ones I created when my oldest, Meghan, as just two years old. Luke’s favorite became these Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls that are made with black beans.

I don’t make all my energy balls with beans. 😜 I have many date-based energy balls, too, like these Cacao Coconut Energy Balls, these Chocolate Bliss Balls, and these Strawberry Shortcake Energy Balls.

All of these have something in common: they require a food processor.

The one energy ball recipe I have that doesn’t require a food processor is this recipe for Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Energy Balls. I love that recipe, but my sister-in-law recently served our family some energy balls that everyone loved. She let us know they had flaxseed and chia seeds, both of which I had left out of my recipes, even though I always have them both on hand and use them in other recipes often.

I decided it was time to step up my energy ball game and create a non-food processor recipe that packed in more nutrients!

These nutritious energy balls are perfect for quick breakfasts and after-school snacks. I always keep some handy as grab-and-go snacks. With a hungry, growing preteen boy and super active teen girl, we always need quick energy around!

The biggest problem with this recipe is that I’ve now made them four times and each time they are gobbled up within a day or two. Time to start doubling the recipe!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple and Healthy Ingredients: This recipe only needs some pantry staples. Even if you’re out of something, you’ll easily find it in your nearest grocery store. The best bit? Each one has a health benefit you can’t ignore.

On-The-Go Healthy Snacks: These energy balls are a perfectly portable snack. Take them for road trips or offer these no-bake protein balls as an energy booster on game day. They’re tough to beat!

A No-Bake Energy Balls Recipe: Trust me, nothing gets easier. This recipe is a simple mix, shape, and freeze recipe that barely takes 30 minutes! Bonus? No oven heat. Winner winner!

Great Make-Ahead Snack: These little energy bites are easy to store for healthy munching. They’re so delicious you’d never want to run out of them yourself.

Ingredients for Delicious and Healthy Energy Balls

Old-Fashioned Oats: That’s the base for our yummy no-bake energy bites. Rolled oats (yep, it’s the same as old-fashioned oats) are pretty filling and easy on the pocket. The best part is the mouthfeel – it’s similar to cookie dough. *happy dance*

Almond Butter: We need this to bind our energy balls. You can use whatever nut butter you have on hand. I’ve also tried the recipe with creamy peanut butter, and it’s delicious, but almond butter is a slightly more nutritious choice, so that’s my preference here. This would be a great time for homemade almond butter.  Your other options are cashew butter and natural peanut butter. If you’re allergic to nuts, go with sunflower seed butter.

Unsweetened Shredded Coconut: It’s a great source of fiber and healthy fats. You can roast the shredded coconut a bit before adding it to the batter for even better flavor, but that takes extra time. If you’re doing it, too, let the coconut cool down slightly so it doesn’t melt your chocolate. Make sure you choose unsweetened shredded coconut so you aren’t getting unnecessary added sugar.

Honey: Honey adds a sweetness to the balls and its sticky texture helps hold them together. If you’re a strict vegan, try maple syrup or brown rice syrup in place of the honey.

Ground Flaxseed: Boost the protein and fiber content with flaxseed meal (same as ground flax seeds). It’s a great addition to our energy balls that works as a thickener and binding agent. Flaxseed is also a great source of omega 3 fatty acids and is known to be an anti-inflammatory food.

Stevia-Sweetened Dark Chocolate Chips: These are purely for taste! My kids always prefer energy balls that have chocolate. Stevia-flavored and dark chocolate keep these energy balls a healthy snack! These are the stevia-sweetened chocolate chips I use and keep on hand at all times!

Pure Vanilla Extract: I wouldn’t leave this out. It’s for that comforting vanilla flavor and aroma and really adds to the overall flavor of these.

Chia Seeds: Meet my favorite add-ons! Another great source of omega-3 fatty acids, important for your brain health, as well as anti-inflammatory.

Hemp Seeds: Why not add one more healthy seed to the mix? Since we’re doing our body some good, let’s not forget about brain and skin health. That’s precisely what hemp seeds take care of. These little seeds also add a nutty flavor and good texture to the recipe.

How to Make Easy Energy Balls

The absolute easiest recipe–I know even the most inexperienced in the kitchen will have no trouble with this one!

1. Place all ingredients in a large bowl, and stir until well combined.
2.  Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or waxed paper.
3.  Place the tray in the freezer for 20 minutes to allow the balls to firm. (If you’re in a big hurry, just skip this step.)
4. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 1 week or freeze for 2-3 months. Enjoy!

Tips

• If your batter seems too sticky (it could be because of runny butter), add a little more flaxseed and/or oats to balance things out.
• If you’re struggling with shaping these into balls, try adding another tablespoon of nut butter to the mix.
• Store these delicious and easy energy balls in an airtight jar in the fridge for two weeks. If you like, you can use a zip-top bag and freeze these for about three months.

Must-Try Variations

Oatmeal Raisin: Here’s a great snack that’ll remind you of cookies. Almond butter compliments it really well. Take out the chocolate and add raisins instead.

Add a Little Spice: There’s really no restriction on how much flavor you want to add to your protein bites. Try adding a teaspoon of ground cinnamon or some pumpkin spice mix for different flavors. A little flaky sea salt would go a long way, too.

More Chocolate: For double chocolate, add two tablespoons of cacao powder to the mix. You may need to add a bit more honey to compensate for the bitterness.

If you make these healthy Energy Balls or any of my other healthy recipes, please share it on Instagram  and I’ll feature you! Also, if you try it, please leave a comment with a star rating below! Those star ratings are so helpful in helping my recipes get discovered. I appreciate you!

 

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