How to Make Energy Balls
Energy balls are a simple combination of dates, nut or seed butter, and something dry, like rolled oats or ground flax seed to help them hold together. To make them, you simply combine the ingredients in a food processor and process until they stick together, so you can easily roll them into balls. Because the energy ball ingredients can vary each time you make them, you may have to adjust this recipe slightly as you go. For example, sometimes I use a nut butter that is freshly opened and very runny in texture, but other times I’ll use an nut butter from the fridge, which typically makes the texture thicker. As a result, you may need to adjust the ingredients to compensate for those differences. Since this is a no-bake recipe, it’s easy to just keep tasting and adjusting until they are perfect.
How to Make Paleo Energy Balls
These, energy balls are naturally Paleo-friendly when you use almond butter, tahini, or sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter. Make sure you use a nut butter with no added sugar or hydrogenated oils for the healthiest results. You’ll also need to omit the oats and use more ground flax or chia seeds, instead. (I usually use 1/4 cup of ground seeds when omitting the oats.)
Benefits of Dates
I love using dates to naturally sweeten these energy balls, because they are loaded with fiber and essential minerals, like calcium and iron. Research even suggests that dates are a low-glycemic food. A study that tested the effect of eating dates on healthy individuals and on those with diabetes found that dates do not cause significant glucose spikes in the blood, and therefore may be beneficial for diabetics as part of a healthy diet. (source) Paired with a healthy fat, such as peanut butter or almond butter, these healthy snacks will leave you feeling satisfied– while also tasting like a treat! I hope you’ll enjoy them.
Recipe Notes:
You can replace the peanut butter with any other nut or seed butter you like. For a nut-free energy ball, try using sunflower seed butter or tahini. For a grain-free energy ball, omit the oats and use extra ground flax or chia seeds for texture.
— Reader Feedback: What’s your go-to healthy snack?
