Energy Balls Recipe

Why I Love Energy Balls

When I need a quick pick-me-up I reach for one of my homemade energy balls, which feature little bites of naturally sweetened, protein-packed goodness to keep me going through the afternoon slump. I love the simplicity of this recipe, which blends dates with nut butter, almond flour, coconut oil, and cocoa powder. Once you’ve mastered this easy version, make a batch of Chunky Monkey Banana Energy Balls, fruity Cherry Chocolate Chip Energy Balls, Banana Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Energy Bites, or check out my list at the end of this post for more suggestions. Here’s why I love these energy bites:

• Quick. You can whip up this energy bites recipe in about 10 minutes!
• Make-ahead. I love making a batch or a double batch of energy bites because they last well (up to 1 week in the fridge, although we often eat them up in a few days!), making them a perfect make-ahead snack.
• Satisfying. After a long walk or workout, I often need a little something. Having energy balls in the fridge means I’ll have a nourishing snack that won’t leave me with a sugar crash later.
• Better homemade! Sure, you can buy a package of energy bites at the store but it’s so much better to make them yourself! Not only are you assured that all of the ingredients are gluten-free, but they are fresh and you can adjust them to your taste.

Recipe Ingredients

Here’s a look at what you’ll need for this energy balls recipe. I’ve included the full ingredient amounts in the recipe card at the end of this post.

• Medjool Dates: Buy unpitted Medjool dates so you don’t have to deal with pitting them yourself! If you can’t find dates, try using date paste or even raisins in a pinch.
• Coconut Oil: You can use refined or unrefined coconut oil interchangeably in this recipe.
• Water
• Nut Butter: I love almond butter in these energy balls, but you can use any other nut or seed butter here.
• Almond Flour: I use almond flour, which is finer than almond meal, but if you only have almond meal or need to make it yourself from whole almonds, you can use that instead. The energy balls may have more texture if you use the coarser ground almond meal.
• Cocoa Powder: Use unsweetened cocoa powder or cacao powder so that the energy bites are not too sweet.
• Vanilla: A little pure vanilla extract adds depth of flavor. You can leave this out if you don’t have any.
• Salt: Fine sea salt or table salt balances the flavors of the energy balls.

How to Make Energy Balls

You won’t need an oven to make this energy bites recipe, but a food processor will come in handy! Here’s an overview of how to make energy balls, and I’ve included the detailed instructions in the recipe card lower down.

• Add to a food processor. Place all of the ingredients in a food processor.
• Blend. Process until a thick paste forms.

• Form and roll in chocolate. Take tablespoons of the mixture, roll them into balls, and then roll them in cocoa powder.
• Add to baking sheet. Place each ball on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Tips For Success

• Make them nut-free: To make these energy balls nut-free, substitute sunflower seed butter or tahini for the nut butter and add 3 tablespoons of coconut flour for the almond flour (coconut flour absorbs more moisture than other flours, so you won’t need as much) or swap in 1/2 cup of gluten-free oats.
• Add spices. A little warming spice like ground ginger, cinnamon, or the combination of my Mexican Chocolate Spice Mix would be lovely in these energy bites. Or, try 1 tablespoon of peeled and grated fresh ginger.
• Use cacao powder. As noted, cacao powder can be used in place of cocoa powder for a slightly different flavor.
• Other nut butter: Any nut or seed butter can be used in this energy bites recipe in equal amounts for the almond butter.

Possible Energy Bites Variations

• Peanut butter energy balls: I love the combination of peanut butter and chocolate! So I’ll often make these into peanut butter chocolate energy balls by using creamy peanut butter for the almond butter.
• Coconut energy balls: Try 1/2 cup of shredded sweetened or unsweetened coconut stirred in after you run the food processor.
• Chocolate chip energy balls: Add 1/2-1 cup of mini chocolate chips to the mix to make these into super chocolatey energy balls. Add the chocolate after you’ve processed the other ingredients.
• Chocolate-drizzled: To make these into a sweeter snack, drizzle energy balls with my homemade Easy Chocolate Glaze.
• Oatmeal raisin energy bites: Add 1/2 cup of raisins and 1/4 cup of gluten-free old-fashioned (rolled) oats plus a big pinch of cinnamon to the energy ball dough after mixing it up in the food processor.

More Energy Ball Recipes

• Peach Crisp Energy Balls
• Pineapple Coconut Energy Balls
• Pumpkin Spice Energy Bites