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Homemade Energy Balls are the ideal make ahead snack to keep at hand for after-school, before the gym or a grab and go breakfast. This recipe is easy to make with store-cupboard ingredients.

A bowl of round homemade energy balls, with one on a surface with chocolate chips.

Anyone else have children who come home from school as if they haven’t been fed all day?!

I’ve been looking for family friendly after school snacks that I can make in advance and grab as soon as they are needed. These Energy Balls (sometimes called Energy Bites) work brilliantly.

I first bought these from a bakery in the USA, have been thinking about them whenever I need a good snack since, so decided to come up with my own version!


Why you’ll love this Energy Balls Recipe

⭐️ Make them in minutes

⭐️ Perfect for snacks or lunchboxes

⭐️ Superfood ingredients and delicious


Three rows of rolled up healthy, vegan Energy Bites.

What are Energy Balls?

These small bites have become really popular on social media thanks as an alternative to highly processed snacks. 

They also happen to be super simple to make – something that’s not always common when it comes to low sugar, nutritious treats.

I have tested my version of no-bake Energy Balls to get the balance of flavour and consistency just right, so I can happily say this combination of healthy fats, fibre and protein-rich ingredients binds together brilliantly to hold their shape as little bites of joy.


Energy Balls Ingredients

A collection of ingredients on a white surface, including oats, flaxseed, honey, dessicated coconut, peanut butter, chocolate chips, chia seeds and vanilla.
  • Peanut Butter – I like to use smooth peanut butter for this recipe as it really helps to bind the ingredients together.
  • Oats – Go for rolled oats or gluten free oats.
  • Desiccated coconut – Gives a delicious flavour and consistency.
  • Ground flaxseed – A super healthy ingredient with a light, nutty flavour and texture.
  • Chia seeds – Found in most supermarkets now.
  • Honey – A little of this sweetens and helps to stick everything together.
  • Vanilla extract – Just a teaspoon for flavouring. Make sure you don’t use essence!
  • Chocolate chips – A perfect addition for flavour.

How to make Energy Balls

1. Place all the ingredients in a bowl.

2. Combine everything together then roll 12 evenly-sized balls. Pop in the fridge for 15 minutes before tucking in.


Storing

In the fridge These will keep in a container in the fridge for up to 7 days.

In the freezer They also freeze really well. Keep them in a freezer bag or container and defrost for a while before eating. Pop these in your lunchboxes and they’ll be thawed in time for eating!

More favourite snack recipes…

FAQs

Can I make these Energy Balls gluten Free?

Sure, just make sure you use gluten free oats and they will be. However, as always, double check the ingredients list on all of packaging.

What do Energy Balls taste like?

A bit like a cross between flapjack and cookie dough, with a little chocolatey edge. Delicious, basically!

Do you make ENergy Balls without dates?

Yes! I know a lot of recipes do use dates but I wanted to make sure we had a simpler recipe that would work without. Yes, dates are healthy, but they can also be expensive and we’d need to involve a food processor. This method is much easier!

Let me know how you got on and what you thought of these recipes. Please rate the recipe using the ⭐️ below.

Also I’d LOVE to see your cooking creations. If you’d like to share yours with me, you can tag me on Instagram (@tamingtwins).

5 from 1 vote

Energy Balls

Roll up, roll up! These homemade Energy Balls are super simple to make. A few healthy, whole ingredients and you have a batch of delicious superfood snacks at the ready.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 12 Energy Balls

Ingredients 

  • 120 g (0.5 cups) Smooth peanut butter
  • 100 g (1.25 cups) Oats
  • 30 g (0.30 cups) Desiccated coconut
  • 40 g (0.25 cups) Ground flaxseed
  • 1 tbsp Chia seeds
  • 60 g (1 tbsp) Honey
  • 1 tsp Vanilla extract
  • 50 g (0.3 cups) Chocolate chips

Instructions 

  • Simply place all the ingredients in a bowl and use a spoon to combine everything together.
  • Roll into 12 evenly sized balls and pop in the fridge for 15 minutes before tucking in.

Notes

Storing: These will keep in a container in the fridge for up to 7 days. They also freeze really well. Keep them in a freezer bag or container and defrost for a while before eating. Pop these in your lunchboxes and they’ll be thawed in time for eating!

Nutrition

Calories: 160kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 5gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 60mgPotassium: 145mgFiber: 3gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Snack
Cuisine: Family Food
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Sarah Rossi founder of TamingTwins.com and author of 'What's for Dinner?' books.

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Hi, I'm Sarah. I help busy people decide 'What's for Dinner?' Find hundreds of recipes here, and also in my bestselling recipe book. Hope my recipes make your life easier ❤️

5 from 1 vote

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1 Comment

  1. 5 stars
    Perfect snacks for my sons’ lunchboxes without buying sugar-filled rubbish. Thank you Sarah, I’ve got a batch in the freezer already!