Ever since we had a kid start real school, snacks have become a top three planning item for House Macheesmo. I like snacks like these No Bake Energy Balls with Dates that not only work as after-school snacks, but also I can add them to a lunch box!
Many versions of energy balls like this have shredded coconut in them as a binder, but I thought they were way too sweet so I added crackers instead. The crackers work great as a binder and are easy to crush and mix-in even without a food processor!
These energy balls can be made almost as an after-thought and keep great in the fridge for a week or so.
What Ingredients to Use in Energy Balls?
I like to use dates for sweetness in energy balls like this. The Medjool dates are very common and can be found pitted in most grocery stores. After that you can kind of customize these to your liking.
I like to add some sort of nut to the mix. I chose walnuts but you could use peanuts, pecans, or any similar nut.
For the binder, like I said, I chose crackers, but coconut works well also and makes for a sweeter finished energy ball.
Making the Energy Balls
You have two options when it comes to making these energy balls.
Option one: Add the dates and nuts to a food processor and pulse until they are combined and stick together. Then add the other ingredients and pulse until everything is combined evenly.
Option two: If you don’t have a food processor or just don’t want to get it dirty for a snack recipe, just finely chop everything and add it to a bowl.
I went with option two for this version!
Add the salt, vanilla, and hemp seeds (optional) and then mix together everything until it sticks together.
Then just roll the mixture out into balls that are about tablespoon sized. You should get about 16. You could make them smaller if you wanted, obviously.
I like them to be about 2-bite sized.
These No-Bake Energy balls are really delicious and give you a nice boost of natural sugars without any added sugar.
Give them a shot the next time you need a snack for your family!
- Need a different kid snack idea? Try my homemade Strawberry Milk recipe!
No Bake Energy Balls with Dates
Ingredients
- 12 pitted medjool dates, finely chopped
- 1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
- 6 RItz crackers, crushed
- ¼ cup hemp seeds
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Finely chop the dates, walnuts, and crackers. Stir together in a bowl and add the hemp seeds, vanilla and salt.
- Mix the energy ball mixture together well until it’s combined and sticks together.
- Roll out about 16 energy balls, each about a tablespoon.
- Store the energy balls in the fridge for a week. Add to lunches or use as after school snacks!
Barbara Kawamura
I couldn’t get these to stick. But it does make a good oatmeal topping! And another cooking blog had a recipe for precooking whole sweet potatoes. Then make a quick breakfast by heating in the morning, and fill with yogurt and fruit. Lightbulb! Use this topping instead, with a bit of melted butter. Delicious!
Thanks for the recipe!
Jennifer
What can you substitute for Ritz crackers?