Energy Balls - 12 Ways
These Energy Balls are a delicious way to switch up your healthy snack line-up. With 12 different flavors to discover, these no bake bite-sized treats are gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, refined sugar free with nut-free, grain-free, paleo, low carb and keto options!
Ingredients
Apricot Energy Bites
- 1 cup dried apricots
- 1/2 cup cashews
- 1/4 cup almonds
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Banana Nut Energy Bites
- 1/3 cup natural creamy almond butter , slightly heated
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup , can also sub with coconut flower nectar syrup, organic agave syrup, date syrup or honey (if not vegan). For low carb, you can sub with Lakanto sugar-free maple syrup or a 2-3 drops of pure liquid monk fruit.
- 1 small (1/4 cup) extremely ripe banana , mashed
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups gluten-free rolled oats for grain-free, you can try subbing with 1 cup of these square-shaped coconut flakes and 1 cup of sliced almonds, both roughly chopped.
- pinch of salt
- 1/4 cup chopped cashews (or walnuts)
Carrot Cake Energy Bites
- 1/2 cup dried Medjool dates - pitted , soaked in hot water for 5 minutes if they seem dry (drain before using)
- 1/3 cup dried apricots or raisins
- 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts
- 1 1/2 cups grated carrots
- 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Coconut Almond Butter Energy Bites
- 2/3 cup creamy almond butter , slightly heated
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil , melted
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup , can also sub with coconut flower nectar syrup, organic agave syrup, date syrup or honey (if not vegan). For low carb, you can sub with Lakanto sugar-free maple syrup or a 2-3 drops of pure liquid monk fruit.
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup gluten-free rolled oats , for grain-free, you can try subbing with 1/2 cup of these square-shaped coconut flakes and 1/2 cup of sliced almonds, both roughly chopped.
- 12 whole almonds for garnish, optional
Lemon Energy Bites
- 1 cup dried apricots
- 1/2 cup cashew butter
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut divided
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 cup gluten free rolled oats , for grain-free, you can try subbing with 1/4 cup of these square-shaped coconut flakes and 1/4 cup of sliced almonds, both roughly chopped.
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut
Oatmeal Raisin Bites
- 2/3 cup natural creamy almond butter , slightly heated
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup , can also sub with coconut flower nectar syrup, organic agave syrup, date syrup or honey (if not vegan). For low carb, you can sub with Lakanto sugar-free maple syrup or a 2-3 drops of pure liquid monk fruit.
- 1 2/3 cups gluten-free rolled oats , for grain-free, you can try subbing with 3/4 cup of these square-shaped coconut flakes and 3/4 cup of sliced almonds, both roughly chopped.
- 1/4 cup ground flaxseeds
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup raisins
Turtle Pecan Energy Bites
- 3/4 dried Medjool dates - pitted , soaked in hot water for 5 minutes if they seem dry (drain before using)
- 1 cup pecans
- 2 tablespoons creamy almond or cashew butter
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup , can also sub with coconut flower nectar syrup, organic agave syrup, date syrup or honey (if not vegan). For low carb, you can sub with Lakanto sugar-free maple syrup or a 2-3 drops of pure liquid monk fruit.
- 2 teaspoons cacao powder , or unsweetened cocoa powder
- 12 pecan halves optional for garnish
Grain-free Paleo / Keto Protein Bites
- 1/4 cup cashew butter , can sub with nut butter or seed butter of your choice
- 1.5 Tbsp Lakanto sugar-free maple syrup OR you can sub with a 2-3 drops (or more depending on taste) of pure liquid monk fruit. Sub with pure maple syrup (for strict paleo)
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp fine sea salt
- 1 cup superfine blanched almond flour
- 1 tbsp pea protein powder , or can also sub with 2 Tbs more superfine blanched almond flour
Instructions
For the Apricot Energy Bites
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Place the cashews and almonds in a food processor and pulse until roughly chopped. Add the remaining ingredients and pulse until combined into a sticky "dough" like consistency.
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Form and roll dough tightly (wet hands slightly if needed) into 1" - 1.5" balls.
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Store in airtight container in refrigerator or freezer until ready to enjoy.
For the Banana Nut Energy Bites
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In a large bowl, mix together heated nut butter, maple syrup and mashed banana until smooth.
Stir in the remaining ingredients until well combined.
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Wet hands slightly and form dough tightly into 1" - 1.5" balls. If dough doesn't stick together add 1/2 tablespoon water (or melted coconut oil) at a time until dough comes together or place dough in the fridge for 30 minutes prior to forming dough balls so it's easier to handle.
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Store in airtight container in refrigerator or freezer until ready to enjoy.
For the Carrot Cake Energy Bites
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Place the apricots, dates and nuts in a food processor until roughly chopped. Add the remaining ingredients and pulse until combined into a sticky "dough" like consistency.
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Form and roll dough tightly (wet hands slightly if needed) into 1" - 1.5" balls.
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Store in airtight container in refrigerator or freezer until ready to enjoy.
For the Lemon Energy Bites
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Place the apricots, cashew butter and 1/4 cup of shredded coconut in a food processor until roughly chopped. Add the remaining ingredients except for the reserved coconut and pulse until combined into a sticky "dough" like consistency.
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Form and roll dough tightly (wet hands slightly if needed) into 1" - 1.5" balls. Roll into the remaining 1/4 cup of shredded coconut, if desired.
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Store in airtight container in refrigerator or freezer until ready to enjoy.
For the Coconut Almond Butter Energy Bites
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In a large bowl, mix together the heated nut butter and coconut oil until smooth. Add maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, coconut and oats and mix until well combined.
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Wet hands slightly and form dough tightly into 1" - 1.5" balls. If dough doesn't stick together add 1/2 tablespoon water (or melted coconut oil) at a time until dough comes together or place dough in the fridge for 30 minutes prior to forming dough balls so it's easier to handle.
Garnish each energy bite by pressing one almond in the center, if desired.
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Store in airtight container in refrigerator or freezer until ready to enjoy.
For the Oatmeal Raisin Energy Bites
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In a large bowl, mix together heated nut butter and honey until smooth.
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Stir in the remaining ingredients until well combined.
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Wet hands slightly and form dough tightly into 1" - 1.5" balls. If dough doesn't stick together add 1/2 tablespoon water (or melted coconut oil) at a time until dough comes together or place dough in the fridge for 30 minutes prior to forming dough balls so it's easier to handle.
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Store in airtight container in refrigerator or freezer until ready to enjoy.
For the Turtle Pecan Energy Bites
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Place the dates and pecans in a food processor and pulse until roughly chopped. Add the remaining ingredients (except for the pecan halves and pulse until chopped well).
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Form and roll dough tightly (wet hands slightly if needed) into 1" - 1.5" balls. Press one pecan halve in the middle of each energy bite.
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Store in airtight container in refrigerator or freezer until ready to enjoy.
For the Grain Free/Keto/Paleo Protein Bites
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In a large bowl, mix together the nut or seed butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla, salt, almond flour and protein powder (if using.
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Form and roll dough tightly (wet hands slightly if needed) into 1" - 1.5" balls.
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Store in airtight container in refrigerator or freezer until ready to enjoy.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
Remember to check the labels if you have any food allergies or sensitivities. Use gluten-free or nut-free ingredients as needed.
How to Store:
Store these energy balls in an airtight container in one layer (or use parchment paper to separate layers). They'll stay good for 3 days on the counter at room temperature or up to a week in the refrigerator. Keeping them in the fridge prevents them from getting too soft or mushy.
How to freeze:
Place them on a baking sheet and put them in the freezer for about 30 minutes to flash-freeze. Then, transfer the balls to freezer-friendly bags, squeeze out all the air and seal. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying.