These No Bake Energy Bites are a healthy snack that I make for my kids almost every week. They’re naturally sweetened with dates, and you can customize the flavor using your favorite nut or seed butter.
How to Make Energy Balls
Energy balls are a simple combination of dates, nut or seed butter, and something dry, like rolled oats or ground flax seed to help them hold together. To make them, you simply combine the ingredients in a food processor and process until they stick together, so you can easily roll them into balls.
Because the energy ball ingredients can vary each time you make them, you may have to adjust this recipe slightly as you go. For example, sometimes I use a nut butter that is freshly opened and very runny in texture, but other times I’ll use an nut butter from the fridge, which typically makes the texture thicker.
As a result, you may need to adjust the ingredients to compensate for those differences. Since this is a no-bake recipe, it’s easy to just keep tasting and adjusting until they are perfect.
How to Make Paleo Energy Balls
These, energy balls are naturally Paleo-friendly when you use almond butter, tahini, or sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter. Make sure you use a nut butter with no added sugar or hydrogenated oils for the healthiest results. You’ll also need to omit the oats and use more ground flax or chia seeds, instead. (I usually use 1/4 cup of ground seeds when omitting the oats.)
Benefits of Dates
I love using dates to naturally sweeten these energy balls, because they are loaded with fiber and essential minerals, like calcium and iron. Research even suggests that dates are a low-glycemic food.
A study that tested the effect of eating dates on healthy individuals and on those with diabetes found that dates do not cause significant glucose spikes in the blood, and therefore may be beneficial for diabetics as part of a healthy diet. (source)
Paired with a healthy fat, such as peanut butter or almond butter, these healthy snacks will leave you feeling satisfied– while also tasting like a treat! I hope you’ll enjoy them.
No Bake Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted dates
- 1/2 cup all-natural peanut butter (or almond butter)
- 1/4 cup rolled oats (certified gluten-free, if needed)
- 2 tablespoons ground flax or chia seeds
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Place the dates in the bowl of a food processor fitted with an S blade. Process until the dates are broken down and form a sticky ball.
- To the food processor, add in the nut butter, oats, flax seeds, and salt. Process again until the batter becomes crumbly, which may take up to 2 minutes. Stop and scrape down the processor, if needed.
- Press the batter between your fingers to make sure it will easily stick together. If the batter is too moist, add another 1-2 tablespoons of oats for flax seeds. If the batter is too dry, add another 1-2 tablespoons of nut butter, and blend again.
- Use a tablespoon to scoop the dough and then roll it between your hands to form balls. Place them on a lined plate or baking sheet, and then transfer the pan to the fridge to help them firm up, about an hour. (Though you can eat them right away if you want to.)
- For best shelf life, store the balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
Video
Nutrition
Per ball: Calories: 65, Fat: 3g, Carbohydrates: 7g, Fiber: 1g, Protein: 2g
Recipe Notes:
- You can replace the peanut butter with any other nut or seed butter you like. For a nut-free energy ball, try using sunflower seed butter or tahini.
- For a grain-free energy ball, omit the oats and use extra ground flax or chia seeds for texture.
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Reader Feedback: What’s your go-to healthy snack?
Megan, Your daughter is so adorable! They grow so fast – don’t they?
Thanks, Cindy. Yes, they are growing WAY too fast already!!
Thanks, Megan! Sounds healthy and delish!!
I love all of your recipes!
Just made these & im in love- they remind me of my beloved pb&j’s! So good!! Thanks for sharing Megan!
Those big blue eyes are just adorable! These were fantastic. I made mine with chia seeds, and they perfect. I will be making your vegan brownies on Memorial Day. My picky daughter loves them! I wish you and your family a happy Memorial Day Weekend.
Aw, your daughter has adorable eyes and she is so beautiful!
I bet every kid like bites. It is even more fun when we and our kids can make bites together 🙂
Thanks for sharing this yummy and easy to make recipe. I would love to try it for eve snacks and I am sure my children and family will love your recipe. Keep sharing such delicious recipes with the readers.
I tried these out with some espresso when I had some family over. Everyone LOVED them. I had like five of them so I was a little worried about how calorie dense this recipe is. Maybe ideas for a ‘lighter’ alternative? These were amazing though!
I love making these energy balls for a quick yummy snack!
I love those little balls of deliciousness! I have a question concerning the recipe, though: did you update it while adding the video? I did it for the first (and last) time several months ago but didn’t save it, and I think it said you should put them in the freezer to let then firm up, not the fridge. So, what’s the difference and is one better than the other? And finally, I think you mentioned storing them in the freezer as well 🙂 Thanks for this great recipe in any case!
So… I just realized I mixed those up with your “Date Energy Balls”. Well, I guess I have a new favorite energy ball/bite recipe! This one is actually better for me because I do have all the ingredients in my pantry most of the time, but I’ll still keep the other recipe in my back pocket for “special occasions”.
Could I use sunflower butter instead? Little one is allergic to nuts.
Definitely! It will taste slightly different, but still delicious!
Have you tried freezing this energy ball? If so, how was the consistency afterwards? Thank you!
Do you think I could add cocoa powder?
Made these with a blender so took a bit more time but totally do-able! This makes a very sweet, dense energy bite. Overall super simple and quick with some yummy ingredients! I had to add a bit more peanut butter (and a touch of water) to help blend but not sure if that is because of using a blender vs a food processor.
Tastes like a peanut butter cup–without all the refined sugar and calories!! Love Detoxonista’s recipes and cookbooks. Keep em coming, girl!
My daughter reminded me that we should make the energy balls again and here we are with yet another yummy batch. I know they won’t last long though! 🙂
These are a favorite for many son and I. Super tasty, I use half pb and half almond butter. We make them weekly.
Made these several times and always a big hit!