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
- Keep the dried cranberries aside for adding in the last step.
- Combine the remaining ingredients in a mixer.
- Now add the cranberries to the mix and make tiny bite-sized balls.
- Leave in the fridge for 20 minutes to help them set into shape. Then transfer to an airtight container and store.
- 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.
This blogpost contains affiliate links. These links provide me with a small percentage commission but don’t cost you anything extra.
