You are going to love these Easy Energy Balls (Without Dates) because they are simple to make and perfect for packing along! These balls are high in protein, healthy fats, and fiber. It's a large batch so you can prep once and snack all week! Have many adventures planned? Then double or triple the recipe.
This recipe is specifically made without dates as these days the internet is full of energy balls that contain dates, and not everyone has dates in their house or likes dates! Here's my recipe for easy energy balls without dates!!
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My Inspiration
I've been reading Fiber Fueled by Dr. Will Bulsiewiczby lately and I really appreciate how he talks about the importance of eating not just foods that are nutrient-dense, but a large diversity of nutrient-dense food! I definitely recommend checking out this book if you are interested in nutrition or struggling with gut health. So here's my newest recipe that is totally nutrient-dense with a large diversity of whole foods.
Ingredients and Substitutions
This recipe is made without gluten, dairy, or grains, and it can easily be adapted to be vegan or nut-free. See the ingredients needed and alternative ingredients you could substitute below.
- Shredded coconut. We toast the coconut in this recipe which gives it a nice flavor! Buy shredded coconut (instead of flaked coconut) that is unsweetened; no extra sugar is needed and it's good to be aware of how much sugar is going into your body.
- I used chopped almonds for these energy balls however you can choose any chopped nut you have in your house. If you need to make these nut-free, you can use rolled oats instead.
- Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and sesame seeds are all high in protein, fiber, calcium, iron, and magnesium. These seeds are key ingredients for this recipe. Sesame seeds can be replaced with chia seeds or hemp hearts if needed.
- Ground flax seeds. We use ground flax seeds for this recipe so it's in a form your body can extract the nutrients from, rather than these little seeds getting stuck in your gut or coming out without being processed. You can use a blender or coffee grinder to grind the seeds yourself.
- Chocolate chips are needed to hold these balls together! Dark chocolate is best (more nutrient-dense & less sugar), I like buying this bulk organic kind. If you need this recipe to be dairy-free, be sure to use dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Nut or seed butter, I used almond butter but you can replace it with peanut butter. Or if you need to make this nut-free you can use sun butter or tahini.
- Honey keeps these balls together and sweetens all these nuts and seeds. If you are a strict vegan or if you don't have any honey in the house you can replace it with maple syrup.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Let's make these easy energy balls (without dates) - it's as simple as 4 steps!
Place the nuts, seeds, and coconut in a large fry pan or pot. On the stove, toast over medium heat stirring occasionally for 7-9 minutes. This brings out the flavor.
Take the mix of nuts, seeds, and coconut, and place it on a hot pad on the counter. While the pan is still warm add the almond butter, honey, and chocolate chips.
Stir all the ingredients together until everything is melted and well combined. Use a tablespoon and your hands to form balls. It makes about 40.
Place the balls on a cookie sheet, then place the cookie sheet in the freezer for 15 minutes until they are solid. Then move the energy balls into a storage bag or container. Keep these energy balls in the fridge or freezer to stay fresh.
Top tip
If you are in need of snacks to quickly grab when you are leaving the house, you can individually wrap these easy energy balls or place them in a reusable bag before storing them in the fridge or freezer. Then they are ready to pack along and eat on the go!
Storage
After these balls are solid from being in the fridge or freezer for 15 minutes, you can place them in a large container or bag together, or individually wrap them.
The energy balls will last up to 3 weeks in your fridge or 3 months in your freezer.
Yes. These balls will stay solid when you take them on adventures or pack them on the go, as long as it's not hot hot outside because they can melt.
Easy Energy Balls (Without Dates)
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1 ½ cups chopped almonds
- 1 cup sunflower seeds
- ½ cup pumpkin seeds
- ½ cup sesame seeds
- ¼ cup ground flax seeds
- 1.5 cup chocolate chips
- 1 cup nut or seed butter (I like to use almond butter)
- ⅓ cup honey
Instructions
- Place the coconut, chopped almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, ground flax seeds, into a large fry pan or pot. Put the pan on the stovetop, over medium heat stir until lightly toasted for 7 to 9 minutes. Take the pan off the heat, place it on a hot pad on the counter.
- Add the chocolate chips, nut or seed butter, and honey to the warm pan. Stir until the chocolate chips, nut or seed butter, and honey are completely melted and everything is mixed well.
- Using a tablespoon and your hands roll into balls and place them on a cookie sheet. Put the cookie sheet into the freezer for 15 minutes (or fridge for 30 minutes) to solidify. Then take the pan out of the freezer and place the energy balls into a container or bag. Optional: wrap the energy balls individually so they are easy to grab on the go.
- Store the balls in the fridge for up to 3 weeks, or the freezer for up to 3 months.
Frieda
Love these balls! Hard to find a date-free energy ball recipe!
Also I made this once without the stovetop/heating direction and it worked well too, but I actually like it on the stovetop better!
danikavanderpyl
Thanks for sharing, I know not everyone like or has dates so glad you enjoyed this recipe!
Mariah
Love this recipe! So nice to have an option without dates, and sweetened with honey!
Daniel
These are the best!!!! They stay together well and the sesame flavor in them is too good to pass up.