Coconut-Lemon Energy Balls with Dates

These no-bake coconut-lemon energy bites are made using dates, oats and almonds. They are a perfect meal prep snack – quick and easy to make and packed with wholesome, nutritious ingredients for long-lasting energy!

Energy balls, energy bites, energy truffles…whatever you want to call them, I am a HUGE fan of these little guys. I batch prep some variation of this healthy meal prep snack (the pumpkin pie energy bites and salted caramel energy bites are also DELISH!) almost weekly for easy grab and go snacks. 

Whether it’s in my purse or glove box, I try to have a couple of these healthy energy balls nearby in case of emergency. Trust me – they come in handy when unexpected hunger hits. Plus they’ve also been known to cure a toddler melt-down or two. So what exactly are these magical balls? Let’s find out.

What are energy balls?

As a registered dietitian, I love developing simple, nourishing recipes for quick grab and go options. Enter energy balls – the no bake, nutrient dense snacks that can be whipped up in minutes. 

Energy balls typically follow this simple recipe equation: Nut butter + oats + sweetener + flavor enhancers

Once you nail down portions, you can see the options are endless!

Steel oats vs rolled oats vs. quick oats – what’s the difference?

Steel Cut Oats – These are the closest to the natural form of oats. They get their name from the way they are processed – they are literally cut into pieces with a steel blade. 

Since they are less processed, they are harder, nuttier and take 3-5 times longer to cook (approx. 15 – 30 mins). They’re not ideal for energy balls because of the coarseness of their texture when blended with the other ingredients. 

Rolled Oats – Rolled oats are steel cut oats that have been steamed and rolled out – hence the name (do you see a trend yet with oat names?). They’re softer than steel cut oats and their cooking time tends to be between 5-10 minutes. For most energy ball recipes you can use rolled oats and quick oats interchangeably. 

Quick Oats – Quick oats are… quick! They’ve undergone more steaming and rolling than rolled oats. Because of this extra processing, the oat is softer and can be cooked in a matter of minutes. I like to use quick oats for energy balls because they’re easier to blend into a fine powder and, as a result, bind to the other ingredients better.

Can I make energy balls without peanut butter?

You may find a lot of no bake energy bites recipes use peanut butter as a core ingredient. It tends to be the go-to because people usually have it on-hand and it acts as a binding agent for all the other ingredients. 

Unfortunately, peanut butter isn’t always welcome at schools or the workplace. But have no fear! You can substitute for equal parts of any nut or seed butter you prefer! I love using almond butter and cashew butter.

To make it nut free, try sunflower seed butter, pumpkin seed butter or tahini! 

In this recipe, I decided to leave out the peanut butter and used almonds instead (but if you love PB try these high-protein energy balls with peanut butter). 

What are Lemon Coconut Energy Balls made with?

For this recipe, I combined dates, almonds, lemon juice and my fave – coconut. Not a fan of coconut? Don’t be afraid to mix it up! Get creative and try a different flavor booster like cacao nibs or dried blueberries. 

I like to make energy balls with dates and oats because they easily bind together and provide you with the complex carbs from quick oats that is necessary to fuel your body! Add in the protein and healthy fats from the nuts and coconut, and these little nuggets are guaranteed to satisfy your hunger and give you long lasting energy. 

Nutrient benefits of Lemon Coconut Energy Balls

Dates: When looking up dates nutrition facts, you will find that they are a fiber-rich source of natural sweetness that can support healthy digestion. They contain antioxidants that can help fight off free radicals that cause damage to our cells. 

Coconut: Coconut contains a good source of lauric acid. This fatty acid has potential antimicrobial benefits that can help fight against viruses and some bacteria, and might be useful to protect against microbial infection. 

Almonds: Almonds are high in monounsaturated fats, which can help lower LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and raise HDL (“good”) cholesterol. They also provide protein and healthy fats which can keep you feeling full for longer periods of time.

Can you freeze energy balls?

These no bake energy bites will last up to 7 days in an airtight container. I like to double the recipe and freeze half so I always have some readily available. Freeze in a tupperware container or ziploc bag for up to 3 months.

When you’re ready to enjoy them you can eat them straight out of the freezer or pull them out the night before to defrost at room temperature. 

Did you make these delicious Lemon-Coconut Energy Balls with Dates? If so, be sure to post a photo of how you used it! And feel free to tag me on Instagram @lindsaypleskot so I can see your creations! It makes me so happy to see these recipes come to life in your kitchens!

And if you enjoy the recipe, it would make my day if you would leave a comment and star rating below—I love hearing your feedback and answering your questions! xo

Coconut-Lemon Energy Balls with Dates

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★★★★★

5 from 5 reviews

• Author: Lindsay Pleskot
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

These no-bake coconut-lemon energy bites are made using dates, oats and almonds. They are perfect meal prep snack, because they’re quick and easy to make and packed with wholesome, nutritious ingredients for long-lasting energy.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• Juice and zest of 1 lemon
• 1 cup pitted dates
• 1 cup almonds
• 1 cup unsweetened coconut + more to roll the balls in
• 1 cup quick oats

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Instructions

1. Place everything in a food processor or powerful blender (I used my VItamix) in the order listed.
2. Pulse and blend until a thick paste like consistency is reached. Add a bit of warm water, 1 Tbsp at a time if needed.
3. Roll into evenly sized balls and roll in additional coconut if desired.

Notes

If mixture is too dry, try adding a few more dates or a bit of warm water, 1 Tbsp at a time, until desired consistency is reached. Once you start rolling them you can also press them together a bit to help them start sticking.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Blended
• Cuisine: North American

Keywords: One bowl, on the go, healthy snack

Enjoy!

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