We can’t indulge in elaborate desserts everytime we have a sweet craving. But that doesn't mean we should deny ourselves food either. Simply choose these healthy bites.
Energy balls, also called protein bites or bliss balls, are easy to make, healthy and filling snacks, the perfect dish for those recurring sweet cravings. They’re typically made with healthy ingredients like mixed nuts, dry fruits, seeds, fruits, oats, nut butters and natural sweeteners like honey.
The process of making them is pretty straightforward too; you normally just blend all the ingredients together until it forms a sticky paste. Then you roll them into small, bite sized balls and let them sit in the fridge for a few hours so it can set. Enjoy them cold.
They can also be stored in an airtight container and saved up to a week.
With these basic steps in mind, here are a few energy ball recipes. We have only offered directions on how to make the energy bites if you’re required to do something other than blending the ingredients in a processor and forming balls.
Caramel Energy Balls
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ½ cup unsweetened almond butter
- ¼ cup caramel sauce
- ¼ tsp salt
- 6 tbsp semi sweet chocolate chips
- 6 tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut
Directions:
- Stir together the oats, almond butter, caramel sauce, salt, half the chocolate chips and half the coconut in a bowl.
- Roll the mixture into balls and place them on a parchment-paper-lined baking tray.
- Cook the remaining coconut on medium heat until toasted and golden brown, and transfer to a small bowl.
- Put the remaining chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and let it melt, stirring occasionally.
- Drizzle the chocolate over the balls, then roll them in the toasted coconut. Let them sit until set.
Cranberry Almond Energy Bites
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup raw whole almonds
- ½ cup sweetened dried cranberries
- ¼ cup pitted dates
- ¾ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2 tbsp tahini
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
Lemon Blueberry Energy Bites
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup walnuts
- ½ cup pitted dates
- ¼ cup dried blueberries
- ¾ cup rolled oats
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp grated lemon zest
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
White Corn Energy Bites
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups quick oats
- 1 cup roasted white corn flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsp water
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes, plus more for rolling
- ½ cup dried fruit, such as raisins
- ½ cup mixed chopped nuts
Directions:
- Instead of blending, simply throw everything in a bowl, mix them all well together, and roll into balls.
Cherry Cocoa Energy Bites
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups dried cherries
- ¾ cup pistachios
- ½ cup almond butter
- 3 tbsp cocoa powder
- 4 tbsp maple syrup / honey
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
Peanut Butter Energy Bites
Ingredients:
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup peanut butter
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
- ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
Apple Pie Energy Bites
Ingredients:
- ¾ cup dates, pitted and chopped
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup chopped apples
- ½ cup unsweetened almond butter
- ¼ cup chopped pecans, toasted
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
Ginger Energy Bites
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups dried apricots
- ¾ cup rolled oats
- ¾ cup finely shredded unsweetened coconut
- 6 tbsp tahini
- 3 tbsp honey
- ¾ tsp ground ginger
- PInch of salt
Coconut Energy Bites
Ingredients:
- 3 cups pitted dates
- ¾ cup sunflower seed butter
- 6 tbsp warm water
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- 1 ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 6 tbsp coarsely chopped toasted pecans
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
Directions:
- Combine the dates, sunflower seed butter, water, salt and vanilla in a blender and mix until it's mostly smooth, with only a little coarseness.
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Add the oats and pecans and stir well.
- Place the coconut in a small bowl. Roll the mixture into small balls. Then roll the balls in the coconut to coat. Set aside so it can set.
Blueberry Peanut Butter Energy Bites
Ingredients:
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup peanut butter
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup chocolate chips
- ¼ cup blueberries
Fruity Energy Bites
Ingredients:
- 1 cup chopped almonds
- 1 cup dried figs
- 1 cup dried apricots
- ⅓ cup unsweetened shredded coconut