Description
Healthy, no-bake energy balls made with wholesome ingredients like oats, nut butter, and natural sweeteners. Choose from 10 delicious flavor variations, perfect for meal prep, quick snacks, and on-the-go energy boosts. Vegan, gluten-free, and kid-friendly options included!
Ingredients
Scale
Base Recipe (Makes About 12 Energy Balls):
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ½ cup nut butter (almond, peanut, or cashew)
- ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Flavor Variations:
Chocolate Peanut Butter
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
Coconut Almond
- ¼ cup shredded coconut
- Replace peanut butter with almond butter
Cranberry Pistachio
- ¼ cup chopped dried cranberries
- ¼ cup chopped pistachios
Lemon Poppy Seed
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds
Chai Spice
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ginger, nutmeg, and cloves
Pumpkin Spice
- ¼ cup pumpkin puree
- ½ teaspoon pumpkin spice
Matcha Green Tea
- 1 teaspoon matcha powder
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened coconut flakes
Mocha Espresso
- 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
Berry Bliss
- ¼ cup freeze-dried strawberries or raspberries
- Replace peanut butter with cashew butter
Salted Caramel
- Replace honey with date syrup
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Mix the Base Ingredients
In a mixing bowl, combine oats, nut butter, honey (or maple syrup), vanilla extract, and salt. Stir until fully incorporated. - Choose a Flavor Variation
Add the ingredients from your preferred flavor variation and mix well. - Form into Balls
Using a spoon or cookie scoop, scoop out the mixture and roll it into bite-sized balls. If the mixture is too dry, add a little more nut butter or a splash of water. If too sticky, refrigerate for 10 minutes before rolling. - Chill
Place the energy balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up. - Store and Enjoy
Transfer the chilled energy balls to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Nut-Free Option: Substitute nut butter with sunflower seed butter or tahini.
- Oats Substitute: Use quick oats for a softer texture or replace oats with ground flaxseed, almond flour, or shredded coconut for a grain-free version.
- Vegan Option: Use maple syrup instead of honey.
- Gluten-Free: Use certified gluten-free oats.
- Protein Boost: Add 1-2 tablespoons of protein powder, adjusting liquid ingredients as needed.
- Rolling Tip: Chill the mixture for 10 minutes or lightly grease hands with coconut oil to prevent sticking.
- Customize Texture: For softer balls, add more nut butter or a splash of milk; for firmer balls, increase the oats or refrigerate longer.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: none
- Category: snack
- Method: no bake
- Cuisine: healthy
Keywords: Energy balls, no-bake snack, healthy snack, meal prep, gluten-free snack