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Sweet and nutty, these Cranberry Almond Energy Balls are the perfect portable snack. With only four simple ingredients, they come together fast. In fact, the no-bake snack bites only require you to mix, roll, and then pop them right in your mouth. And they are dairy free and easily made gluten free!
Why You’ll Love These Cranberry Almond Energy Balls
Delicious Details
- Cuisine Inspiration: American
- Primary Cooking Method: No-bake
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free option, Dairy-free
- Skill Level: Easy
Energy balls are quick and portable, wholesome no-bake snacks that you can grab ‘n go on your way out the door. The combination of sweet dates, tangy dried cranberries, and nutty almonds come together into a wonderfully balanced flavor combination. And that sticky dried fruit mixed with oats forms snack bites that hold together well and can be kept at room temperature, making them perfect for packing. Here are more reasons to love them…
- Simple ingredients. There is only a short list of 4 ingredients that are simple, and you can easily choose gluten free brands, organic options, or ones with no added sugar so you have complete control over what is going into your snacks.
- Quick to make. All you have to do is combine the ingredients in a food processor, pulse it into a thick paste, and roll it into balls. Then your cranberry almond energy balls are done and done.
- Enjoyed by everyone. My kids love that they are sweet and chewy, just like those ubiquitous fruit snacks. This mom loves that they aren’t packed with tons of added sugar, and they have nutritious ingredients like oats and almonds. And if you make them smaller, they are great for even the little fingers to pick up and snack on.
What You’ll Need
Yes, as I said, you only need to pull four items out of your pantry to make these cranberry almond energy balls. Here’s a brief overview followed by a few tips to keep in mind. You’ll find the full ingredient amounts and detailed instructions in the recipe card further down.
- Dates. Be sure to use dried dates that are pitted or remove the pits yourself.
- Dried cranberries. You can grab a bag of Craisins or choose a brand that doesn’t add any sugar, if you prefer.
- Oats. I recommend old-fashioned oats, but you can use quick oats if that’s all you have. Be sure to use certified gluten free oats if that’s what you need.
- Almonds. Whole, raw nuts are used here.
Tips for Success
Here are a few pointers when making this energy bites recipe:
- Blend thoroughly. You’ll want to use a food processor to make the energy balls. Start by pulsing, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides. You’ll want it to come together into a thick k paste. The mixture may get a bit warm as you process it.
- Make them mini. For full-size energy balls, I use a tablespoon of the mixture. But you can really make them any size. When my kids were really small, I used about a 1/2 teaspoon to make mini bites that they could easily pick up and chew.
- Store properly. The cranberry almond bites can be kept at room temperature in an airtight container for about a week. You can also refrigerate them and they will last for up to a month.
- Prep ahead. You can definitely double the batch if you want to have plenty on hand. They are freezer-friendly. Just place them in a plastic freezer storage bag and squeeze out any excess air to minimize the risk of freezer burn. Keep them frozen for up to 2 months.
Cranberry Almond Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dried pitted dates
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup oats, certified gluten free if needed
- 1/2 cup raw almonds
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor and process until it forms a thick paste.
- Using about a tablespoon of the mixture, roll into balls. You can also make mini bites using about 1/2-1 teaspoon of the mixture.
Did you make this?
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YUM!! I made these energy balls, the Apple Cinnamon balls and the Cherry Chocolate balls to send to my granddaughters in NYC. All are great!! Thank you.
So happy you enjoyed them and I hope your granddaughters do too! We love keeping a bunch on hand!
How long do these keep fresh? Do they freeze/defrost well? Thx!
I’ve kept them in the fridge for about a week, but yes, they also freeze well.
I just made these too! I added unsweetened, shredded coconut and it is awesome! Thanks again for awesome ideas!
What a great addition!
Made these and the apple cinnamon ones today. Amazing. Blueberry and cacao next. Thanks for an awesome recipe!!
Blueberry and cacao sounds amazing! Glad you liked them!
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Thanks!
Love this recipe and just shared it on my blog in a roundup of my favorite 10 recipes finds from around the web.
I love the mixture but unfortunately I couldn’t achieve a paste out of it, all the ingredients kept separate but in tiny pieces. Can you please tell me how long did you process the mixture to get a paste? Or what can I do to get a paste consistency?
Thanks!
I don’t remember exactly how long, but I did have to process it quite a bit. There were some smalle pices left, but it was mostly a paste. Try stopping the machine and pressing the mixture down.
I found the same thing – I ended up adding honey. But next time I’ll try pushing it down in the processor and seeing if I can get it into a paste.
Yes, pressing it down a few times helps. wish I had one of those mini food processors. Or I should just make a double batch!
I love energy balls! I just ran out of dates – I’m going to have to get some more. Easy, healthy, and tasty. Can’t beat that.
They are such a convenient snack!
What kind of oats do you typically use with this recipe?
I use regular old-fashioned oats.
Stopping by from Sweet Sharing Mon Party and these look so good! I must give them a try very soon. Carrie, A Mother’s Shadow
Thanks for stopping by!
YUM! I must make these and try!
Definitely!