For long snack time has been a challenge for me. I can eat clean all day, but when it comes to tea time I give in to processed junk foods more often than I ‘d like. When my son entered his toddler phase I knew it was time to change this snacking habit of mine to more cleaner snacks so that I could lead by example. I still find it quite challenging to eat clean at snack time, but getting rid of junk foods and batch preparing clean healthy snacks like these no bake energy balls has helped me curb my junk food cravings. My reward is when my son loves the snacks I make him and even asks for more.
Energy balls have been quite a rage in the health food scene for some time now. I remember when I first saw them in a supermarket I thought them to be a weird snack. Of course, I was raised on biscuits and chips as the mainstay in snacking.
Then I got pregnant and started researching snack ideas that could help me maintain iron levels. That’s when I made my first energy ball recipe and I was a fan. Not only do they taste delicious but are also healthy and satiating. They are a perfect snack for pregnant, lactating mothers and kids.
As mothers, we can use these no bake energy balls to help keep those tiny stomachs full and fill in those nutrition gaps.
Why do I love making no bake energy balls?
- They are easy to make. Require no cooking skills. In fact, my toddler helps me mix the ingredients and make them. We make a fun activity out of it. This encourages him to try them once ready.
- They taste super yummy. Think about it, you are adding ingredients that are tasty on their own, so how yummy is the final product going to be.
- Storage: These store well in an airtight container for a week. Making them in batches and storing them is a time saver for me.
- Pack and go: These no bake energy balls are my go-to travel snacking option. My kid loves them, I don’t have to make anything at the time of leaving the house and they keep us full while we are out of the house.
- Clean snacks: The biggest reason why I love energy balls is that they are healthy clean snacks I can give my son. All the versions I make are packed in protein, calcium, iron and other antioxidants that serve his growing body well. I cant think of a better snack for toddlers, there are no preservatives, no additives just clean wholesome goodness.
Looking for more clean snacks you can make at home? Here’s a no bake energy bar recipe you may find interesting. Now let’s get to the 3 energy ball recipes.
No Bake Energy Balls Recipes
Chocolate Date Energy Balls
Rich in protein, calcium, and iron. The chocolatey gooey texture is one that both adults and kids can enjoy. You can make substitutions to suit your tastes, the key is to use a thick nut butter and soft dates so that they bind well together. Almond butter, for example, is usually thinner in texture in that case you will need more dates to help bind the mixture.
Chocolate Date Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 6 Medjool dates
- 1 tbsp Sunflower seeds
- 1 tbsp Raw cacao powder
- 2 tbsp Peanut butter
- 2 tbsp Desiccated coconut
- 1 cup Mix of cashews and almonds soaked for 15 minutes
Instructions
- 1. Add all the ingredients in a mixy and mix.2. Make small balls and place on a tray.3. Keep in fridge for 20 minutes. Once done transfer to an airtight container.4. These store well in the fridge for 7 days.
Tahini Oat Bites
Sesame is an excellent source of calcium. This recipe will provide protein, calcium, magnesium, iron and good fats. More reason to go make it. The tahini in these energy balls provides a different flavor profile from the regular sweet energy ball recipes. I purposely add minimum sweetness in order for it to taste more of the tahini, but you can change it to your liking. The coating is made of hemp seeds and chia seeds, because why not add more superfoods and make it even more nutritious right? I used readymade tahini, you can even make some at home. Here is a recipe for tahini.
Tahini Oat Bites
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Almonds
- 1/2 cup Oats
- 4 Medjool dates
- 2 tbsp Tahini
- 1/2 cup Desiccated coconut
- 1 tbsp Maple syrup
- 3 tbsp Mix of chia seeds and hemp seeds for coating
Instructions
- 1. Combine all the ingredients in a mixy.2. On a plate lay out the mixture of chia seeds and hemp seeds for coating the balls.3. Make small bite-sized balls and roll them in the seed mixture.4. Keep in the fridge for 20 minutes to set. Then transfer to an airtight container.5. These don’t last very long because of ingredients like tahini – maximum about 3-5 days in the fridge.
Cinnamon Cranberry Oat Bites
Another variation from sweet energy ball recipes. I have already spoken about the benefits of superfoods for kids like oats. This is a great way to get more of this superfood in their diet. I make many variations of this one. Sometimes using raisins instead of cranberries. When buying dried cranberries look for brands which add minimum to no sugar to the cranberries. It’s the same as eating candy if they are coated with a lot of sugar. Defeats the purpose of eating healthy. If you don’t find cranberries add black raisins or raw cacao nibs instead.
Cinnamon Cranberry Oat Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup Oats
- 3 tbsp Peanut butter
- 1 tbsp Flaxseed powder
- 1 tsp Cinnamon powder
- 1 tbsp Maple syrup
- 1/4 cup Dried cranberries
Instructions
- 1. Keep the dried cranberries aside for adding in the last step.2. Combine the remaining ingredient in a mixy.3. Now add the cranberries to the mix and make tiny bite-sized balls.4. Leave in the fridge for 20 minutes to help them set into shape. Then transfer to an airtight container and store.5. Stores well in the fridge for 7 days.
I had so much fun making these energy balls and I hope you try them at home and enjoy them just as we did. Do you have a favorite no bake energy balls recipe of your own? Do share with me in the comments below.
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I hear you on snack food and how easy it is to use them fitting around a busy day. Way too easy not to actually make time to eat healthily and end up grabbing junk bites as and when. Really hard to undo that routine once it’s established too. I found kids were when I also started reviewing things too. Didn’t wan my bad habits starting in them.
Love the energy balls too. They sound so easy to make too. Great post.
Yes, a lot of changes I made were for my son. We have to lead by example. Though I was always interested in healthy foods just a little bit of a procrastinator.
Looks like lot more bang for your time! I like all kinds of energy bars. In your case, this is an energy ball. something different!
Thankyou 🙂
This post has come at just the right time for me – very low on iron at the moment (just done 3 days on clear fluids for bowel investigations…ughhh, feeling bl..y rough and am also gluten free….and I adore peanut butter, so going to give these recipes for hubby to mix up some energy for me! Will be sharing this and looking back at your other posts xxx
This might be a duplicate – not sure if my comment registered or not. Just the right time for this post as I sit here very low on iron and feeling bl..dy awful after 3 days of clear fluids for bowel investigations (for said low iron!!). Also gluten free…so going to thrust these recipes at hubby to rustle up some energy for me!! Will share and looking forward to reading more of your posts, x
I hope you are feeling better Claire. Definitely, try these for some energy boost. I first started making these during pregnancy along with few other diet changes and thankfully I felt energized throughout the day. Right foods make a world of a difference to the body. Wish you the best.
I’ve shared your link on my PainPals Blog regular feature Monday Magic Inspiring Blogs for You!
https://painpalsblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/09/7667/
Thank you, Claire, I hope you enjoy the recipes.:)
These look lovely. Am more interested in energy balls these days as a snack as they ‘re growing on me. Handy for work too. Thank you Ophira ! Pinning for again.
Thankyou Fancy, yes I make them in batches to carry around on my trips outside the house.
It’s funny, I don’t remember ever seeing energy balls when I was growing up, but they do seem to be everywhere these days! Do you have teeny pots to carry them around in your handbag so you can have an energy boost out and about.
These look lovely anyway!
haha yes, they seem to be the snack of the season. Yes, I carry them in small airtight containers when I travel outside. They can stay fresh outside for half a day. The chocolate and date balls actually last longer.
Every one of these sounds so yummy, I definitely will be getting the ingredients next trip to the grocery store!
Hope you like them! Let me know if you try some!
I struggle with snacks too. This year I am all about making changes for the better. I will definitely have to give these a try. Thanks for sharing
I know right! I batch prepare a few snacks on the weekends now, this has been a huge breakthrough for me. I make energy bars, energy balls and also some dry fruit and fruit boxes. Pack everything and keep in the fridge for the week.