Colorful Energy Balls are very simple to make and give you energy after a workout. These cute bites can be packed for your travel. It is fun to prepare, blending all ingredients together, and make a shape. Yes, it is that easy.
You can prepare this as last-minute gifts for your loved ones during the holidays. Make it colorful and pack them in cute boxes, they will love that. Sugar-free, no-bake or cook if you don’t use the cacao butter.
Benefits of the ingredients (source)
Dates: Dates are packed with fiber and high in antioxidants which is a natural sweetener too.
Coconut oil: It acts as an antibacterial and antiviral which is a plant derivative form of saturated fat.
Hemp seeds: An excellent superfood that is high in protein and helps to fight high cholesterol and heart diseases.
Nuts: Each seed has its own benefits. They have anti-inflammatory properties and rich in antioxidants.
Agave nectar: Is low in Glycemic index.
Variations
Nuts: you can use almonds, pecans, cranberries…
Seeds: Use sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds…
Sweetener: Maple syrup, agave nectar, dates…
Flavor: vanilla extract, cinnamon powder, chocolate extract…
How to prepare energy balls?
Any seeds, nuts, and a binding agent(dates or cacao butter), and a sweetener to make the energy balls. I was so desperate to make colorful energy balls or bites. I chose a red, white and green color for Christmas.
Red color energy balls: Cacao butter + goji berries + cashew nut + Beet powder + Hemp seeds + Agave nectar
White color energy balls: Cacao butter + unsweetened coconut + sesame seeds + Agave nectar
Green color energy balls: Dates + pistachio + matcha powder + chia seeds
Can I make it sugar-free?
Yes, you can. If using dates you no need to add extra sweetener. If using cacao butter I recommend using a tbsp of agave nectar or maple syrup.
My energy bites are not holding?
Your dates may be too dry. If dates are dry, soak them overnight and drain the water. Use as per the recipe instruction. Splash some warm water if you forgot to soak the dates.
If using cacao butter as a binding agent, it may feel that it is not holding shape. It will solidify when cooled. Refrigerate for 30 minutes you can see the shape-holding.
I don’t have cacao butter?
That is totally fine. You can use dates, apricots, almond butter, peanut butter or any nut butter as a binding agent.
Do we roast the nuts for energy balls?
Yes, I like it better if it is roasted. But you can use without roasting. I roasted all the seeds, nuts and oats too.
Tips for making perfect energy balls
- Use Medjools dates, since they are soft and works best in energy balls.
- Add as many as ingredients you like.
- Use oats if you want to avoid nuts.
- The food processor does a wonderful job of making these bites. You can use a high-performance blender too. If using a blender do not grind use only the PULSE option.
- Use your creativeness to build these energy balls by dusting them in coconut flakes or any seeds, Use a cookie cutter to make different shapes.
- These energy balls will be good for one week at room temperature(if not using water). They are freezer friendly too.
If you do not want to make balls, you can shape up like this.
Colorful energy balls
Ingredients
Goji energy ball (Red energy ball)
- 1/3 cup oats
- 1/4 cup cashew nut
- 1/4 cup goji berries or cranberries
- 1 tbsp beet powder
- 1/4 cup cacao butter
- 1 tsp coconut oil optional
Coconut energy ball (white energy ball)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
- 1/4 cup almond meal
- 1 tbsp white sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp agave nectar or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup cacao butter
- 1 tsp coconut oil optional
- pinch salt
Matcha energy ball (green energy ball)
- 1/3 cup oats
- 1/4 cup pistachio
- 1 tbsp chia seed
- 1 tbsp matcha powder
- 2 tbsp almond butter
Instructions
Goji energy ball (Red energy ball)
- On a double boiler melt cacao butter and coconut oil. Once melted keep aside.
- In a processor add oats, cashew nut, goji berries, beet powder, and blend coarsely.
- Combine cacao butter and the nut mixture well and form balls.
Coconut energy ball (white energy ball)
- On a double boiler melt cacao butter and coconut oil. Once melted keep aside.
- Add coconut flakes, almond meal, sesame seeds, agave nectar, and salt. Mix well and form balls.
Matcha energy ball (green energy ball)
- In a processor add oats, pistachio, chia seeds, matcha powder, almond butter, and blend coarsely. Make small balls out of it.
Notes
- If you don’t have cacao butter then use dates or apricots to blend them.
- I like roasting oats, nuts, and seeds before blending them.