These no-bake energy balls are my favorite healthy snack. Sticky, sweet, and studded with chocolate chips, they taste like little balls of cookie dough, but they’re made with simple, wholesome ingredients. Dates bind them together, oats add fiber, and walnuts and almond butter pack them with protein and healthy fats. They’re quick and easy to make in the food processor, and they keep for weeks in the freezer or fridge. At least they do in theory. If you love these energy balls as much as we do, there’s no way they’ll stick around that long. Between speedy breakfasts and on-the-go snacks, you’ll polish them off in a few days flat!
No-Bake Energy Balls Ingredients
This energy bites recipe calls for 8 basic ingredients:
Medjool dates – They make these energy balls deliciously sweet without using a sweetener like honey or maple syrup. Their sticky texture also helps bind the balls together. Oat flour – For fiber and protein. I like to make homemade oat flour out of old-fashioned or whole rolled oats. Store-bought oat flour works here too. Make sure to use certified gluten-free oat flour if you need these energy balls to be gluten-free. Walnuts – They add rich, earthy flavor and healthy fats. Almond butter – Like the dates, the almond butter helps bind these energy bites together. Make sure to use really smooth, well-stirred almond butter for this recipe. The dry, stiff stuff at the bottom of the jar won’t work well here. Vanilla extract – For warm, cookie-like depth of flavor. Water – For extra moisture. A few tablespoons make these date energy balls perfectly cohesive. Mini chocolate chips – Use dairy-free chips to make this recipe vegan. I like the Enjoy Life brand. And sea salt – To make all the flavors pop!
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Make Energy Balls
These yummy date balls are SO easy to make! Here’s what you need to do: First, check the dates. They should be soft, sticky, and pliable. If they feel stiff or dry, soak them in hot water for 10 minutes. Next, pulse the ingredients together. Place the soft, pitted dates in a food processor along with the oat flour, almond butter, walnuts, vanilla, water, and salt. Pulse until the mixture sticks together when pinched.
If it feels dry, pulse a bit longer, until the mixture starts to form a ball in the food processor. If it still feels dry, pulse in more water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until it feels cohesive and sticky.
Then, form the balls. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and fold in the chocolate chips. Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the dough. Roll the scoops into balls…and that’s it!
How to Store Energy Balls
These no-bake energy balls keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. They also freeze well for up to 3 months. They thaw quickly at room temperature. Grab one when you need an easy, on-the-go breakfast or quick healthy snack. Enjoy!
Use a different nut butter. Try peanut butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter. Skip the chocolate chips. Dried fruit is a nice alternative! I like to add dried currants, chopped dried cranberries, or chopped raisins. Make them grain-free. Replace the oat flour with almond flour or shredded coconut.
Let me know what variations you try!
More Favorite Healthy Snacks
If you love these no-bake energy balls, try one of these healthy snack recipes next:
Homemade Granola Bars Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies Chia Seed Pudding Healthy Banana Muffins Or any of these 49 Best Healthy Snacks!
