These energy balls are made in minutes and use only four ingredients. Easy to make and good for you, they make a healthy breakfast or snack!
I have the biggest sweet tooth in the world, and I’m also always trying to find snacks that will satisfy my sugar cravings without being too bad for me. This recipe checks all my boxes. Rich and sweet, it’s sort of a cross between an oatmeal cookie and a peanut butter cup, with a creamy, chewy consistency. Sounds like a decadent dessert, right?
Actually, it might just be your new favorite healthy post-workout snack or breakfast substitute. With almond butter, oats, dried cranberries, and pecans (and nothing else except a pinch of salt!), these energy balls are full of good-for-you nutrients like fiber and protein.
I like this recipe because it can be adapted to my taste or what ingredients I have on hand. I’ve used different flavors or types of nut butters (I’m partial to cashew butter!) or mixed in other types of dried fruit, such as raisins, dates, or cherries. If I want to be really decadent, I chop up some dark chocolate and stir that into the mixture or melt it and drizzle it on top of the rolled balls (hey, they say dark chocolate is good for you, right?). If I don’t have pecans, I’ll sub chopped walnuts or pistachios. No matter what changes I make, these energy balls always turn out delicious.
What if I can’t find maple vanilla almond butter?
Originally, this recipe called for an almond butter brand I loved called D’s Naturals Fluffbutter, which made a variety of flavored almond butters that were amazing! Their vanilla maple Fluffbutter was my favorite. Sadly, the brand doesn’t exist anymore. However, I’ve been able to find flavored almond butters in well-stocked grocery stores or health food stores, even in those places that grind their own nut butters onsite. For example, the company Once Again makes vanilla maple almond butter that’s very similar to my beloved Fluffbutter. For this recipe, you can use any plain or flavored almond butter. You can even make your own flavored almond butter by adding a drizzle of maple syrup and a few drops of vanilla extract to plain almond butter and stirring to combine.
How do I store leftovers?
Leftover energy balls can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. They can also be frozen in a freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag for up to 3 months. To avoid sticking, flash-freeze the balls on a baking sheet first for 1 hour.
Serving suggestions
If you’re looking for something to eat or drink alongside these energy balls, I’d pair them with a healthy beverage such as a Vanilla Protein Shake, a Kiwi Smoothie, or a Kale Smoothie.
For something more substantial, serve the energy balls with an Avocado Smoothie Bowl With Cashew Cream, Keto Egg Muffins, or this Avocado Toast Recipe. For a healthy snack box for a hike or workout, pack the energy balls with Paleo Almond Homemade Protein Bars and Protein-Packed Trail Mix.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons pecans finely chopped
- 1/2 cup maple vanilla almond butter
- 1/2 cup gluten-free quick-cooking oats
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons dried cranberries finely chopped
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Optional, but recommended: Preheat your oven to 400˚F and place the pecans on a small baking sheet. Bake for 5 minutes until golden brown and toasted, watching closely to make sure they don't burn. Set aside until they cool.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the almond butter, oats, cranberries, and salt. Add the cooled pecans. Stir until well combined and the mixture comes together into a dough. Add more almond butter or oats to adjust the consistency if needed.
- Using about 2 tablespoons of the mixture for each, roll into balls. If they're very soft, they can be chilled for 30 minutes to an hour or until they're firm.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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