Healthy Energy Balls Recipe
Want a vegan, gluten-free sweet treat that is simple to make and delicious? This Healthy Energy Balls Recipe is a family favorite and is ready to eat in less than 5 minutes!
They are simple to make, delicious, and a healthy alternative to unhealthy sweet treats. We love them for a quick snack or dessert when we have a sweet tooth but aren’t wanting to spend time in the kitchen baking.
This recipe makes over 60 snack-size healthy energy balls, so you have plenty to eat now, save for later, and still store some in the freezer. It is one of my favorite recipes to make early in the week, so we can eat them throughout the week. I keep the other half in the freezer for later.
Healthy Energy Balls Recipe Ingredients
Old Fashioned Rolled Oats – I prefer Old Fashioned Oats for this recipe because it gives the energy balls a yummy, chewy texture. I use Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Oats.
Sun Butter – I love creamy or crunchy Sun Butter, but my kids prefer creamy. They were skeptical of Sun Butter, but they were sold once they tried these snacks. We love the rich taste that comes from combining Sun Butter and Honey. I’ve used a few brands and have been pleased with them.
Raw Honey – We prefer local honey but have found raw and unfiltered honey is readily available at any of our local grocery stores. Honey is the best natural sweetener I have found that blends with the Sun Butter and provides just the right amount of sweetness.
Allergy-Friendly Chocolate Chips – We use Enjoy Life Mini Chips. I love the mini chocolate chips for this recipe, but I have also used regular-sized chocolate chips.
Vanilla Extract – Adding this ingredient adds such a rich and comforting flavor.
Cinnamon – It is a must and a great source of antioxidants.
Salt – I prefer Himalayan Salt but have used regular table salt, and both work great.
Supplies Needed for Healthy Energy Balls
These chocolate energy balls are easy to make and require little preparation or supplies. You’ll need a large bowl for mixing, a small saucepan for combining Sun Butter and Honey, a whisk, a spatula, measuring cups and spoons, and a cookie sheet.
Why the saucepan? I have made many energy balls and had a terrible time mixing the ingredients. Melting the Sun Butter and Honey into a creamy, warm consistency allows the oats and other dry ingredients to stir together quickly. The melted Honey and Sun Butter also warm the mixture, melting the chocolate chips as you go. Yum!
Substitutions for Healthy Energy Balls
We make these chocolate energy balls allergy-friendly by using gluten-free oats, dairy-free chocolate chips, and Sun Butter instead of Peanut Butter. But there are many ways you can use substitutions in this recipe, so I encourage you to test & try it using your favorite substitutions.
Some of our favorites include:
Healthy Fats– Add coconut, cocoa powder, or a handful of chops nuts. You can also use crunchy Sun Butter or add sunflower seeds.
Protein– Add protein or collagen powder. We like using unflavored protein powder. If you add protein powder, increase the Sun Butter and Honey by 1/2 c. each.
Fiber– Add Flax Seed or Chia Seeds.
Sweetness– Add cranberries or raisins. You can also add a bit of sweetened coconut.
Storage and Freezing
This is a great recipe to double and make in a large batch. I love freezing these and bringing them out a couple of dozen at a time. I store them in a plastic container in the refrigerator or a gallon freezer bag. I also store 2-3 oat balls in sandwich bags in the fridge for grab-and-go snacks and school lunches.
Healthy Energy Balls Recipe
Equipment
- large bowl
- small saucepan
- Spatula/Spoon
- measuring cups & spoons
- whisk
- cookie sheet
- Parchment Paper Optional
Ingredients
- 5 cups Rolled Oats
- 2 cups Sun Butter (crunchy or smooth)
- 1 1/4 cups Honey
- 1 cup Dairy Free Chocolate Chips
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix Rolled Oats, Salt, and Cinnamon and set aside.
- On medium heat, whisk together Sun Butter and Honey in a small saucepan, until smooth.
- Pour warm Sun Butter and Honey mixture into the bowl with Oats, Salt, and Cinnamon. Stir until mixed well.
- Add Chocolate Chips after all other ingredients have been stirred together. Chocolate chips will begin to melt as you stir.
- Roll or spoon into balls onto a cookie sheet.
- Put in the refrigerator to cool for 1-3 hours. Or grab a spoon! The mix is a delicious treat when it is still warm.
Our family loves these! So yummy!
So good! Easy to make and I love them when I’m on the go!!!!
Thanks for the recipe for these delicious energy balls. It’s a great healthy snack.
So glad you love them! 🙂
The energy balls turned out to be super yummy! By the way, I have a secret passion for anything that contains crispy sun butter! 🙂
I am glad you loved them! I will have to try crunchy sun butter the next time I make them… great idea! 🙂