Energy balls, a delicious, simple, and naturally sweet snack! They're healthy, perfect to eat on the go, and ready in just 20 minutes with 4 ingredients.
These energy balls are the perfect snack! Filling, sweet, easy to make, and absolutely delicious, they are a super healthy treat free from artificial sweeteners, additives, and preservatives.
It is a great option for those who are looking for a go-to snack but want something good and tasty at the same time. That's why I decided to try this energy balls recipe, and I couldn't be happier!
Although I made it with hazelnuts, you can use any other kind of nuts. However, I do prefer to use hazelnuts because they have a more intense flavor.
Energy balls, a great, satisfying, and delicious snack. They are simple and easy to prepare, as well as healthy and naturally sweet. To make them you only need 4 ingredients and just 20 minutes of your time!
Energy balls recipe - Short video
How to make energy balls - Step by step
- Place the hazelnuts in a food processor or a powerful blender (photo 1) and blend until they have a crumbly texture (photo 2).
- Add the dates, cocoa powder, and coconut oil (photo 3), and blend again (photo 4).
- Make the balls with your hands (photo 5). I made 18 of them (photo 6).
Pro tips
- Use any kind of roasted or raw nuts you want. Roasted nuts are my favorite choice as they have a more intense flavor, but that's up to you.
- Medjool dates are the best option, but any other type of dates will also work. However, if you use another kind of date, you may need to soak them overnight or for at least 1 hour in hot water.
- Coconut oil is the best option, but any other oil will do.
- If you're oil-free, you could omit it and add syrup instead, although I've never tried it myself.
What are energy balls?
Energy balls are a super healthy on-the-go snack perfect to give you some energy whenever you need it. They are great to enjoy before or after any physical activity such as a workout, and they are also very convenient for students, as they are portable and can be eaten anywhere.
How long will these energy balls keep?
These energy balls will last for quite some time if stored properly. You can store them in a sealed container in the fridge and they will keep in good condition for about 2 weeks.
Can energy balls be frozen?
Yes! To do it, just place them in a freezer-friendly container and transfer them into the freezer. They will last for up to 3 months. You can defrost them by transferring them to the fridge until thaw.
How to eat these energy balls
Although they are very convenient to eat on the go, you can also have them as a snack at home and serve them with a glass of plant milk, such as oat milk, soy milk, and cashew milk, among others.
Looking for more vegan snack recipes?
Did you make this energy balls recipe?
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📖 Recipe
Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup roasted hazelnuts, 140 g
- 1 and ½ cups Medjool dates, 300 g
- 2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Place the hazelnuts in a food processor or a powerful blender and blend until they have a crumbly texture.
- Add the dates, cocoa powder, and coconut oil, and blend again.
- Make the balls with your hands. I made 18 of them.
- You can store them in a sealed container in the fridge for about 2 weeks or freeze them for up to 3 months.
Notes
- Use any kind of roasted or raw nuts you want. Roasted nuts are my favorite choice as they have a more intense flavor, but that's up to you.
- Medjool dates are the best option, but any other type of dates will also work. However, if you use another kind of date, you may need to soak them overnight or for at least 1 hour in hot water.
- Coconut oil is the best option, but any other oil will do.
- If you're oil-free, you could omit it and add syrup instead, although I've never tried it myself.
Nutrition
Update Notes: This post was originally published in September of 2016, but was republished with new photos, step by step instructions, and tips in December of 2020.
Sonia says
I am coming from your coconut milk recipe!! How would you use the coconut pulp in this recipe?
Iosune Robles says
Hi Sonia! Feel free to add it in the 2nd step 🙂
Irena says
Amazing!
Iosune Robles says
Hi Irena! Thanks 🙂
macy says
forgot to rate recipe
Iosune Robles says
Thanks!
Julian says
Congratulations Iosune on presenting us all with possibly the simplest energy ball recipe on the web. And doing it in a clear, neat manner without the usual fluff, flannel, excess photography and superfluous text, which is so common almost everywhere else.
Keep up the good work and many thank you's for sharing. Good on ya!
Iosune says
Hi Julian! Thank you so much for your comment 🙂 You made my day!!! <3
Anabell says
Also check my recipe. This the favorite treat in my family=)
Dates 10 pcs.
Chia seeds 1 tbsp. l.
Pistachios 2 handfuls
Cocoa powder 2 tbsp. l.
Maple syrup 2 tbsp. l.
Cooking method:
Put a handful of pistachios in a blender and grind them to the state of a large crumb. Transfer to a bowl.
Next, put the remaining pistachios, dates, chia seeds and cocoa powder in the blender. Modify until smooth. If necessary, add 1-2 tablespoons of water.
From the received mass of hands to blind 12 balls. Dip them in maple syrup, and then roll in crushed pistachios. Keep the balls in the refrigerator.
Iosune says
Hi Anabell! Thanks a lot for sharing your recipe with us 🙂 Have a nice day!
Karen says
I just made these and they are delicious! Thanks for the recipe!
Iosune says
Hi Karen! I'm so glad you liked them 😀
Gigi says
Do you soak the dates?
Iosune says
Hi Gigi! I don't 🙂 Have a nice day!
Sarah Lawrence says
I'm wondering if you can do a no oil version of this recipe? Would there be enough stickiness in the dates?
Iosune says
Hi Sarah! You could add more syrup instead of the oil, I think it could work 🙂
MartÃn says
Tenes estas recetas en español también?
Iosune says
Hola MartÃn! SÃ, tenemos un blog en español: https://danzadefogones.com 🙂 Un saludo!
Nandini says
This is a great recipe. Looking forward to trying it out! I bought Medjool date paste. Can i use that instead of using whole dates?
Iosune says
Hi Nandini! Thank you 🙂 I haven't tried Medjool date paste, so I don't know if it works, but you could try... Have a nice day!
Suzy says
Almonds are listed in the ingredients, but hazelnuts in the instructions. Does it matter which ones are used?
Iosune says
Hi Suzy! It was a mistake! I used hazelnuts, not almonds. Thanks for your comment and have a nice day! <3