Almond Butter Energy Balls

Almonds butter energy balls are one of my favorite healthy vegan snack ideas! They are easy to make, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and made with pantry staples. Combine simple ingredients, like almond butter, oats, and medjool dates, to create this homemade snack in just 10 minutes. They’re great for kids, on-the-go, and meal prep!

These almond butter energy balls are ridiculously easy to make and irresistibly delicious. They contain simple ingredients, a soft and chewy texture, and salty-sweet flavor. This healthy snack is packed with almonds, rolled oats, medjool dates, creamy almond butter, and a touch of maple syrup and cinnamon.

I have shared countless energy ball recipes over the years, but this right here might be my favorite one! (Ok, I know I say that nearly every time, but they just keep getting better. It’s clearly a neck and neck competition here.)

This recipe is perfect for all almond butter lovers. Not only are almonds a tasty snack, they are also incredibly nutritious. After reading these 9 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Almonds, you will find yourself grabbing a handful every now and then. Or just enjoy them inside these almond butter balls for a sweet treat throughout the day!

These energy balls are:

• Vegan, gluten-free, no-bake, and oil-free
• Made with 8 healthy ingredients
• A quick, easy, 10 minute recipe
• Sweetened naturally with no refined sugar
• A portable snack option for kids and busy moms

Ingredients in almond butter balls

• Almonds: I recommend unsalted raw almonds rather than a roasted variety. Almonds are highly nutritious and a great source of vitamin E, magnesium, phytic acid, and healthy fats.
• Oats: In particular, you can use rolled oats or quick oats. Steel cut oats won’t work well.
• Almond butter: Natural almond butters that have a runny consistency are best to achieve a soft and sticky texture. Look for a variety that contains just almonds and salt.
• Dates: Medjool dates a great way to naturally sweeten this snack without added sugar. Don’t forget to remove the pits before adding them to the food processor.
• Maple syrup: Maple syrup is not necessary for sweetness because the dates already provide that. However, I chose to include it in this recipe because the maple flavor is so delicious! You could always use a small dash of maple extract instead.
• Cinnamon: This healthy spice contains anti-inflammatory properties and warm flavor.
• Vanilla: A dash of pure vanilla extract adds a rich flavor and aroma, making the balls taste more like a no-bake dessert than a nutritious snack.
• Salt: Just a pinch is needed. If your almonds are salted, skip this ingredient.

How to make almond butter energy balls

For the full ingredient measurements and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to view the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

First, combine all ingredients in a food processor (or a high-speed blender). This includes raw almonds, rolled oats, almond butter, medjool dates, maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt.

Then, process the ingredients until a sticky dough forms. You should be able to pinch the dough together with your hands. If your dates are dry and hard, you may need to add more moisture in order to get a sticky mixture. If this is the case, just add an extra dash of maple syrup, almond butter, or 1-2 more medjool dates.

Recipe varations

How to make it gluten-free: The recipe already contains no gluten. If you are very sensitive, double check the label to make sure you’re using certified gluten-free oats.

How to make it without tree nuts: If you stumbled upon this recipe but live in a tree nut-free household, you can still enjoy this healthy snack! Simply use peanuts instead of almonds. To replace the almond butter, you can use peanut butter or sunflower seed butter instead.

For chocolate lovers: Add a spoonful of chocolate chips to make them taste like chocolate chip cookie dough. This creates a truly nutritious dessert. Nobody will believe how clean and healthy they are!

Decorate the almond butter balls: Roll the balls in another ingredient to decorate them. Try it with shredded coconut, cacao powder, hemp seeds, and more. This is a great way to incorporate other flavors and superfoods.

Tips for perfecting this energy ball recipe

Use soft medjool dates. Soft dates work much better than dry, hard dates. If your dates are too dry, you may need to add more moisture to the food processor. This can be done by adding extra maple syrup, almond butter, or a few more medjool dates. On the contrary, if your dates are super fresh, you may find that you only need to use half the amount listed in the recipe. (This is an easy way to reduce the overall sugar content.)

Use rolled oats. Be sure to use rolled oats or quick oats for this recipe. Do not use steel cut oats.

How to store energy balls: Store these almond butter balls in a sealed container at room temperature or inside the refrigerator. Energy balls with oats tend to dry out over time, so these are best enjoyed within a few days. However, they will keep fresh for 5-7 days in a sealed container. You can also store them inside the freezer for up to 3 months.

More energy balls with dates

• Cinnamon Roll Energy Balls
• Oatmeal Raisin Energy Bites
• Peanut Butter Energy Balls
• Chocolate Coconut Energy Balls
• Oatmeal Cookie Dough Balls
• Coconut Almond Bliss Balls
• Turtle Energy Balls

If you try these Almond Butter Energy Balls, please let me know your thoughts by leaving a rating and comment below! Ready for more? Subscribe to my newsletter or follow along on Instagram and YouTube!

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