Forget the afternoon slump in the middle of the day. Grab a nut-free energy ball to fill your tummy and give you the boost you need to keep going.
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The first time I made nut-free energy balls, I felt guilty as I couldn’t stop eating them and was sure I was eating a dessert, not a healthy snack. As it turns out, many healthy treats just taste delicious!
Energy balls, in general, are packed with healthy ingredients that are good for you, filling, and provide a natural boost of energy (which we can all use from time to time). They are a great way to avoid empty calories from cookies, chips, and other poor choices.
If you search the internet for energy balls, you’ll notice many of the recipes call for nuts. This is because nuts are full of nutritional benefits and add substance to an energy ball. Still, we don’t all enjoy nuts, and some people are allergic. Enter the nut-free energy ball. Yay!
Using sunflower seeds and hemp seeds, nuts are easily replaced. They add crunch and a little salt (if you choose salted sunflower seeds) that mingle with the sweet dates and white chocolate, making the perfect sweet and salty delicacy.
Are Nut-Free Energy Balls Healthy?
Nut-free energy balls are a healthy choice for those seeking snacks that taste delicious and provide nutrition. If you prefer to avoid nuts, I love that these energy balls offer a different option. Sunflower seeds, though often confused with nuts, are not a nut. Still, some people allergic to nuts also can’t eat sunflower seeds due to similar properties, so talk with your doctor if you are unsure. Hemp seeds are the protein powerhouse in these energy balls, bringing meaning to the word “energy.” They are also rich in essential fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6.
The health benefits are great; however, one of my favorite parts is the white chocolate pieces that add a bite of sweetness (and naughtiness). There’s a small amount of white chocolate in each energy ball, so go ahead and indulge guilt-free. For our vegan friends, you can find dairy-free white chocolate pieces in the health food section at most grocery stores.
Our secret to the perfect salty-sweet bite?
Somewhere along the way, our palates discovered that one of the best food combinations is a little salt and a little sweet. I think energy balls are best with that mix. And to get the best bite each time, save the white chocolate pieces for last.
The recipe suggests mixing everything and then gently pulsing the chocolate in. It’s very important to follow this method so you aren’t left with white chocolate crumbs. Just a few pulses to mix in the white chocolate will leave you with energy balls that have perfect chunks of beautiful white chocolate.
INGREDIENTS
- 10 Medjool Dates
- 1 cup Rolled Oats
- ¼ cup Hemp Seeds
- ¼ cup Sunflower Seeds
- ½ cup White Chocolate chips
INSTRUCTIONS
Prep
Add all the ingredients except the chocolate chips into the bowl of your food processor. Blend everything until it forms a lovely ball.
Make
Break off about 2 tablespoons of mix at a time and roll into balls.
Devour!
FAQs & Tips
Storing energy balls in the refrigerator is the best way to help them stay formed into a solid ball. Place them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to two weeks. You can also put the container in the freezer for up to three months.
It’s really up to you how many energy balls you can eat. However, keep in mind that they are not calorie-free. A couple of energy balls each day should suffice if you are mindful of calories.
Energy balls are a great snack any time of the day and even make the perfect quick breakfast. Most people prefer them as a pick-me-up snack in the afternoon, but it’s up to you. Eat them when you enjoy them!
Yes! As long as no allergies to any ingredients are present, nut-free energy balls are a favorite choice for those trying to get kids to eat healthy treats that taste good.
Serving Suggestions
Nut-free energy balls don’t need much help when it’s time to eat them. Still, some great ideas exist to serve with them and make a complete meal, snack, or dessert. I enjoy a couple of energy balls on the side at lunchtime with a broccoli salad or cucumber salad. The combination fills me up, so I am not looking for a snack in the afternoon. Another light lunch or snack option is a nut-free energy ball with a hard-boiled egg.
If you want to trick the family (or yourself) into eating an after-dinner dessert that isn’t unhealthy, try drizzling a dairy-free caramel sauce over two energy balls on a plate. Yum!
Nut-Free Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 10 Medjool Dates
- 1 cup Rolled Oats
- ¼ cup Hemp Seeds
- ¼ cup Sunflower Seeds
- ½ cup White Chocolate chips
Instructions
-
Add all the ingredients except the chocolate chips into the bowl of your food processor. Blend everything until it forms a lovely ball.
-
Add the chocolate chips in and pulse to combine it all together.
-
Break off about 2 tablespoons of mix at a time and roll into balls.
Nutrition
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