25 Recipes for Energy Balls That Live Up to the Hype
Whether you call them energy bites or energy balls, they're the same thing—unlike each of these 25 recipes that are all consistently healthy but varied in taste, texture, and nutrients. Regardless of how and when you eat them, we can promise you this: You'll never get bored of these snackable treats. From pumpkin and spice to pineapple and coconut, there's a recipe for every craving. Plus, they're all packed with energizing foods to keep you full and focused.
You'll want to bookmark this handy list of inspiration for when you want to prep something that will get you through the afternoon slump—or even as appetizers or portion-controlled desserts for if you're hosting a party!
Maple Vanilla Nut Latte Protein Bites
Makes: 20
Nutrition: 70 calories, 4.7g fat, .8g sat fat, 4.8g carbs, .7g fiber, 3.3 sugar, 3.3g protein
Inspired by a Starbucks concoction that she came up with while working as a barista during college, these bites by nutrition specialist Lindsey Cotter are a coffee lover's dream come true. The hazelnuts, almond meal, and protein powder in this recipe will keep you full while the ground coffee, with all its brain preserving, diabetes-defending, cancer-fighting powers, will make sure you stay wide awake through your morning meetings.
Get the recipe from Cotter Crunch.
White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Energy Balls
Makes: 30
Nutrition: 114 calories, 6.8 g fat, 2.6 g sat fat, 11.8 g carbs, 1.6 g fiber, 7.1 g sugar, 2.5 g protein
With just the right amount of white chocolate to satisfy your sweet tooth without going overboard, these are mini treats you can feel good about getting addicted to. The macadamia nuts in this recipe contain about twice as many healthy, monounsaturated fatty acids as almonds. These healthy fats help reduce the risk of heart disease, reduce cholesterol levels, and even help you lose weight and belly fat.
Get the recipe from Julie's Eats and Treats.
Golden Raisin Energy Bites
Makes: 18
Nutrition: 86 calories, 3.6 g fat, 13 g carbs, 1.3 g fiber, 98.7 g sugar, 2.1 g protein
Raisin lovers, rejoice! These lightly sweet and chewy healthy treats packed with a punch of fiber and protein taste amazing and keep you feeling full throughout the day.
Get the recipe from Well Plated.
Matcha Pistachio Bliss Balls
Makes: 18
Nutrition: 103 calories, 5 g fat, 1.6 g sat fat, 15.3 g carbs, 1.8 g fiber, 11.3 g sugar 1.7 g protein
These delicious treats are a great way to work in one of the best teas for weight loss into your diet. The earthy tones of the matcha powder and nutty flavor of the pistachios compliment each other wonderfully.
Get the recipe from Downshiftology.
Cinnamon Apple Energy Bites
Makes: 20
Nutrition: 52 calories, 2.2 g fat, 7.4 g carbs, 1.2 g fiber, 3.8 g sugar, 1.3 g protein
Craving a good ol' slice of apple pie but would rather skip out on the belly roll? Look no further. At only 52 calories each, these cinnamon-y treats pack a ton of flavor but without all the unnecessary sugar and carbs.
Get the recipe from Recipe Runner.
Almond Joy Energy Bites
Makes: 40
Nutrition: 61 calories, 3.2 g fat, .9 g sat fat, 8.2 g carbs, 1.6 g fiber, 6 g sugar, 1.4 g protein
These bites come with all of the coconutty, chocolatey goodness of your favorite candy bar—but none of the belly fat-inducing consequences. Pack a few in a Ziploc bag and you won't even think of the vending machine in the break room.
Get the recipe from Gimme Some Oven.
Superfood Chocolate Fudge Red Velvet Cake Bites
Makes: 29
Nutrition: 66 calories, 3.1 g fat, .7 g sat fat, 8.5 g carbs, 1.3 g fiber, 5.6 g sugar, 2.7 g protein
Calorie-burning goji berry powder gives these delicious bites their reddish tinted insides. A healthy way to achieve the decadent color and flavor we all love? Okay, we're in.
Get the recipe from Cotter Crunch.
Salted Caramel Raw Bites
Makes: 20
Nutrition: 70 calories, 2.8 g fat, 8.9 g carbs, 1.6 fiber, 6.1 g sugar, 3.5 g protein
Three ingredients make these bites as simple as they are delicious—and the cup of cashews these call for comes with a laundry list of health benefits. The magnesium in the nuts alone will help your body relieve various conditions such as constipation, insomnia, headaches, and muscle cramps, as well as regulating the immune system and supporting brain function. The best part? These bites are freezer-friendly, which means you can make a huge batch and save them for the rest of the week.
Get the recipe from Southern In Law.
PB & J Swirl Energy Balls
Makes: 28
Nutrition: 116 calories, 5.5 g fat, .7 g sat fat, 16.5 g carbs, 2.2 g fiber, 13.5 g sugar, 3 g protein
Reminiscent of your favorite childhood lunch but with a fraction of the calories and carbs, munching on a few of these bites will keep you full and focused through your work day. The dried blueberries—combined with the cashews, peanuts and honey—make these bites a powerhouse of good-for-you nutrients. Don't go crazy with these, though; they're higher in sugar than most of our choice bites.
Get the recipe from Fit Foodie Finds.
Cranberry Almond Energy Bites
Makes: 16
Nutrition: 113 calories, 6.5 g fat, 1.7 g sat fat, 11.5 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 6.1 g sugar, 3.5 g protein
Not the type to wake up early and prepare a full meal in the morning? Grab a few of these protein-packed bites in the morning and skip the pre-packaged breakfast bars that are usually filled with pesky preservatives. Loaded with nutritional foods like chia seeds, ground flaxseed, peanut butter and almonds, these bites have enough protein and healthy fats to keep you focused until lunchtime.
Get the recipe from The Creatie Bite .
Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bites
Makes: 16
Nutrition:105 calories, 5g fat, 1.2g sat fat, 13.2g carbs, 2.1 fiber, 6.8g sugar 3.3protein
The classic flavor combo in these bites never disappoints. In this healthy version, salty peanut butter and dark chocolate come together to form the perfectly balanced treat. We suggest going for raw cacao powder and chocolate chips that are at least 70 percent cacao to truly reap the blood pressure lowering benefits of the antioxidants that are said to be found in chocolate.
Get the recipe from The Busy Baker .
Apple Chai Energy Balls
Makes: 20
Nutrition: 80 calories, 3.9 g fat, 9.9 g carbs, 1.1 g fiber, 4.4 g sugar, 2.2 g protein
Adventurous and health conscious eaters alike will love these unique snacks. The spices that give them their warm chai flavor are full of wonderful health benefits. While the cinnamon stabilizes blood sugar and helps you control your appetite, ginger is busy aiding digestion, reducing soreness in muscles, and banishing bloated tummies. All of this from a tasty treat? Sign us up!
Get the recipe from Fit Foodie Finds.
Healthy Strawberry Shortcake Energy Bites
Makes: 29
Nutrition: 100 calories, 6 g fat, 1 g sat fat, 10 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 2 g sugar 3 g protein
You've tried quinoa in the form of salads, breakfast bowls, and even tacos, but what about in portable, sweet little bites? That's right—these light, fruity, and delicious treats contain not only the ancient grain that helps you lose weight, but also creamy Greek yogurt for even more of a protein kick.
Get the recipe from Desserts With Benefits.
Lemon Vanilla Energy Balls
Makes: 20
Nutrition: 68 calories, 2.5 g fat, 8.6 g carbs, 1.4 g fiber, 6.3 g sugar, 3.6 g protein
With more than 100 percent of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C in only half a fruit, lemons are one of the most nutritionally dense fruits on the planet. So, we're always looking for more ways to fit them into our diet! Pack a few of these sweet, lemony treats and reap the waist-whittling, heart-disease-preventing benefits that come from the lemon juice and zest that this recipe calls for.
Get the recipe from The Healthy Maven.
Funky Monkey Banana Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls
Makes: 24
Nutrition: 74 calories, 3.9 g fat, 1.1 g sat fat, 8.5 g carbs, 1.5 g fiber, 4.8 g sugar 2.2 g protein
Peanut butter, chocolate, and banana are all delicious alone. When combined, they're magical. Whip up this fast and easy recipe and you're guaranteed to please even the pickiest eaters.
Get the recipe from Cupcakes & Kale Chips.
Thin Mint Energy Bites
Makes: 14
Nutrition: 72 calories, 6 g fat, 16.1 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 9.9 g sugar, 1.6 g protein
It's no secret that Girl Scouts know how to make a cookie, and Thin Mints are their #1 sellers. But since they're filled with less-than-healthy ingredients like fake chocolate, artificial colors, and high-fructose corn syrup, it may be best to steer clear. Instead, reach for a few of these energy balls. Dates, raw cacao, oats, hemp seeds, and pure peppermint extract come together to create an energizing snack that won't hinder your waistline.
Get the recipe from Blissful Basil.
Pumpkin Pie Energy Bites
Makes: 20 bites
Nutrition: 60 calories, 3.5 g fat, 0.5 g sat fat, 7.3 g carbs, 1.6 g fiber, 2.9 g sugar, 2 g protein
There are some things you need to know about canned pumpkin puree: this low-calorie ingredient has a bounty of benefits, like slowing digestion and helping your skin look younger; and they sell it year-round. Pick up a can to whip up these classic dessert-inspired treats you can pop mid-afternoon, guilt-free.
Get the recipe from Recipe Runner.
Coconut Date Energy Bites
Makes: 13 bites
Nutrition: 73 calories, 5.1 g fat, 3.4 g sat fat, 6.3 g carbs, 1.1 g fiber, 4.1 g sugar, 1.1 g protein
Requiring just five natural ingredients, these tropical treats come together in a flash. A mere tablespoon of coconut oil is enough to ensure that two of these bites will see you through the dreaded 3 pm hour without an energy slump, all the way to dinner without an urge to continue snacking. Plus, coconut oil boasts lauric acid, a medium-chain saturated fat that converts into energy with more dexterity than most other fats, meaning it's less likely to be stored as fat.
Get the recipe from Sweet Phi.
Chocolate Matcha Energy Balls
Makes: 10 bites
Nutrition: 61 calories, 2.7 g fat, 0 g sat fat, 9.8 g carbs, 2.2 g fiber, 6.6 g sugar, 1.6 g protein
Meet matcha, green tea's cool cousin. You won't want to skimp on this green powder since, in addition to being delicious, it can help flatten your belly. With a EGCG concentration 137 times great than green tea, matcha simultaneously boosts lipolysis (the breakdown of fat) and blocks adipogenesis (the formation of fat cells) — particularly in the belly. Enjoy two of these energy balls for a sweet treat that still clocks in right around a modest 12 grams of sugar.
Get the recipe from The Healthy Maven.
Pineapple Coconut Energy Bites
Makes: 15 bites
Nutrition: 116 calories, 9.4 g fat, 4.5 g sat fat, 5.7 g carbs, 1.7 g fiber, 3.8 g sugar, 2.7 g protein
The easiest tropical escape you'll find, these sweet coconut-covered bites give you three bites of pure bliss — and an extra pop of protein. Choose a plant-based protein powder to avoid unwelcome belly bloating; whey protein is known to cause this waist-expanding effect in many people.
Get the recipe from Get Creative Juice.
Blueberry and Dark Chocolate Energy Bites
Makes: 22
Nutrition: 38 calories, 1.9 g fat, 0 g sat fat, 5.3 g carbs, 0.8 g fiber, 3.9 g sugar, 0.9 g protein
Pack three or four of these for an afternoon snack and you won't be eyeing those break room doughnuts. Packed with sweet but powerful ingredients, these bites will actually help you kill that 4 pm meeting. Host to more antioxidants than any other North American fruit, blueberries help prevent cancer, diabetes, and age-related memory changes. Just make sure to buy the unsweetened version of dried blueberries so crash-inducing sugar doesn't sneak into your pick-me-up.
Get the recipe from Better with Cake.
Chocolate Energy Bites
Makes: 22
Nutrition: 95 calories, 4.7 g fat, 1.4 g sat fat, 12.6 g carbs, 0.9 g fiber, 8.9 g sugar, 1.2 g protein
Don't be tempted away by the sweet talk of Nutella; make these energy balls with cocoa almond butter for extra protein and far less sugar. If possible, look for a spread made with non-alkalized cocoa powder. This process may make the powder less bitter, but it also strips out many of the health benefits of raw cacao. Either way, enjoy these treats knowing the healthy fats and fiber from coconut oil and flax meal will keep you full and focused until dinner time — in the most delicious way possible.
Get the recipe from Eat. Drink. Love.
Blueberry Muffin Energy Balls
Makes: 25
Nutrition: 78 calories, 4.5 g fat, 0.6 g sat fat, 8.8 g carbs, 1.4 g fiber, 5.5 g sugar, 1.9 g protein
"A blueberry muffin without all the gunk." These bites live up to the claim made by blogger Davida, the mastermind behind these sweet, poppable snacks. Grab a couple of these energy balls for an on-the-run breakfast instead of your usual muffin and you'll skip added sugars and refined flours entirely. Plus, you'll actually sneak in some protein — when was the last time a muffin helped you do that?
Get the recipe from The Healthy Maven.
Sugar Cookie Energy Bites
Makes: 40
Nutrition: 23 calories, 1.6 g fat, 0 g sat fat, 1.9 g carbs, 0 g fiber, 0.9 g sugar, 0.6 g protein
Don't let the name throw you; a couple of these won't give you anywhere near the sugar high—and crash—of the classic cookies they're named after. Calling for just three ingredients and a matter of minutes, these bites can easily be prepped on the weekend for a week's worth of healthy snacking for the entire family. Cover a quarter of them in sprinkles for a low-sugar way to get kids interested in the cashew-powered treats.
Get the recipe from Better with Cake.
Cashew-Chocolate Energy Bites
Makes: 25
Nutrition: 100 calories, 5 g fat, 1.7 g sat fat, 12 g carbs, 1.5 g fiber, 5.3 g sugar, 2.4 g protein
Rich and creamy cashew butter and toasted coconut make these bites taste like a completely grown-up version of chocolate chip cookies. Except these energy balls, unlike the classic cookie, will help you lose weight. Uncooked oats are rich in resistant starch, which feeds healthy gut bacteria, leading to prolonged feelings of fullness and more efficient fat oxidation. Enjoy chocolate chips and boost your fat burn? We're sold.
Get the recipe from Gimme Some Oven.
