~ Love Almond Joy candy bars? Then you’ve gotta try these Almond Butter Energy Balls! They’re full of protein, complex carbs and great nutrition from nuts, flax and oats. We’re talking sustained energy – no sugar crashes here! Easy, freezable, nutritious … and incredibly delicious, too! (Originally published as No-Bake Almond Joy Snack Bites.) ~
This Recipe Is: • Ready in 30 Minutes or Less • Freezable • Make Ahead • Vegetarian • Gluten Free •
Are you ready for Halloween? No, no – we’re not talking decorations and costumes. We mean the candy!
Soooo … what did ya buy this year? All the kinds you like most, just hoping there’ll be leftovers after the goblins and princesses have rummaged through your candy bowl? Or did you buy your least favorites so you’re not tempted to have JUST ONE? (Heehee – we’d be impressed – that’s very virtuous!)
And fess up … do you go through the kids’ Halloween bags as soon as they get home? Or do you wait until they go to bed to do the big raid?
Shelley always hunts for the Baby Ruths and Snickers, but Gretchen sorts through to get to the Laffy Taffy and Skittles! (Don’t you totally think we should trick-or-treat together??? We’d happily split the loot!) Oh, and don’t even get us started on those Almond Joys!
But, how do you really feel after you shove all that candy nibble on your kiddos’ stash? Entirely fulfilled? Pleasantly surprised? No?? Is it more of a horrible guilt in the pit of your stomach? (Ummm … it may not be the guilt in your stomach. It may be all that sugar – just sayin’!!)
So what are you gonna do this Halloween? You’re gonna rely on us – your friends at THK!
All of our Energy Balls (AKA: Snack Bites) are so yummy and crazy-popular (check out all our delicious Energy Ball recipes!), and we’re here to swoop in and save Halloween with a version inspired by your favorite almond candy that’ll satisfy your craving. Almond Joy Energy Balls! Perfect!
No sense of guilt here – just pure satisfaction! These perfectly bite-sized Almond Butter Energy Balls are full of protein, whole-grain oats and flax. You can nosh on something sweet and totally delicious without that awful (AW-FUL!) sugar crash that comes with candy.
Our kids are even happy to munch on these right along with us. And, they’d be the perfect treat to take along to a neighborhood Halloween party. Heck – these gems are perfect anytime – not just this spook-tacular time of year!
With trick-or-treat just around the corner, why not whip up a batch to keep on hand? There’ll be no moments of weakness if you’ve got a stock of these amazing little morsels to save the day. Trust us! No tricks here … only (the best ever) treats!
Almond Butter Energy Balls
Love Almond Joy candy bars? You've gotta try our quick no-bake Snack Bites! Nuts, flax and oats for sustained energy. Easy, freezable and nutritious!
• Ready in 30 Minutes or Less • Freezable • Make Ahead • Vegetarian • Gluten Free •
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole, sliced or slivered almonds (to make 1/2 cup almond butter once processed) or 1/2 cup purchased almond butter
- 3/4 cup shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup quick oats
- 1/4 cup ground flaxseed meal
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/16 teaspoon salt
- 2 – 2 1/2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- To make almond butter, place 1 cup of almonds in a mini food processor. Process, scraping sides occasionally, until the butter is the consistency of natural peanut butter. (The exact timing for this will vary depending on your processor and on whether you begin with whole, sliced or slivered almonds.) You should end up with approximately 1/2 cup of almond butter.
- Place almond butter in a medium bowl and add all other ingredients except chocolate chips.
- Stir to combine.
- Add chocolate chips to mixture and stir again, just until combined.
- Using your hands, press FIRMLY to form one-inch balls.
- Place in air-tight container and refrigerate until serving.
Notes
Freezing: These freeze great (so you may want to make a triple batch, like we often do!), and they will thaw in about 20 minutes.
Almonds: Sliced or slivered almonds process much more quickly than whole almonds. We've also found that whole, dry roasted almonds process more quickly than whole, raw almonds. Use whichever you have on hand or find at a good price.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 servings Serving Size: 2 Snack BitesAmount Per Serving: Calories: 153Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 92mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 3gSugar: 9gProtein: 4g
Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only, and may vary depending on your choice of ingredients or preparation. No guarantees are made regarding allergies or dietary needs. Always consult a physician or dietician for specific advice and questions.
Great minds think alike! Would you believe that I made snack bites today as well? These look super yummy too, so next time I’ll make them, I’ll try your version ;D
Hi Consuelo! We find that between the two of us, rarely a day goes by that one of is isn’t making Snack Bites!! Our families just love these! Hope you try these – they’ve been a hit in our homes!
So – what kind of Snack Bites did you make?? 🙂 ~G&S
Looks yummy! I have a potluck I’m going to this weekend and I have no idea what to take. Maybe I’ll look see if I’ve got all these ingredients and make this! Thanks!
Oh! What a fantastic idea!! These will go over so well, for sure! But … we’ve got to warn you, Debi, be prepared to make these for pretty much every get together from here on out! We found that when we share them … people sort of start asking for them! Of course we’re always happy to share! Tastes like dessert – none of the guilt! 😀 ~G&S
Ah, the torture of the Halloween candy, so hard to resist. Those bags of candy just scream my name. I too love the laffy taffy and peanut butter cups. My kids always separate their candy and say this is for Mom. 😀 Last year was the worst…we just moved to new house and didn’t get a single trick or treater. Guess that what happens when you live in a super dark neighborhood (no street lights) and houses are spread far apart. So, what did that mean…we’re stuck with a huge bucket of candy! I had to send it to work with my husband. Who can resist all that candy?! lol What does look irresistible are these almond joy snack bites! I love all the THK snack bites. You guys need a snack-bites book!
Haha! We just love you, Cindy!! We’d love to do a Snack Bite cookbook – that would be so much fun!! Glad you like them!!
So how much candy did you buy this year?? It’s ok – you can be honest! We’re all friends here!! 🙂 So super sweet of your kiddos to share the loot! ~G&S
I love Almond Joys. I have all the Halloween candy bought and it doesn’t get opened until Halloween. 🙂
Oh Christine! You are so good!! I’m allergic to chocolate so I really try to buy chocolate as much as I can to pass out – that way I know it won’t get eaten by me! But then I always see a small bag of gummy candy and it calls my name! I try to only eat just one, but who are we kidding?? Thankfully I get sick of it quickly, so once I have it around for a day or so, I’m all done! Until next year, that is! 🙂 ~Gretchen
I think we were on the same wavelength this week!! I just made some almond joy bites too!! Yours look delicious!!!
Hi, Christine! So funny – we must both be thinking of Halloween, right!?!? Actually, I have to confess – we thought these up back in March! So totally non-Halloweeny, right? More like St. Patrick’s Day, but who thinks of Almond Joys on St. Patrick’s Day?!!? So, we’ve had these photographed, all ready and waiting for months, saving them for just the right moment, and decided that Halloween definitely qualified as that moment! Just checked out your Bites – they look beautifully, decadently wonderful! Oh no – it looks like I may have to keep TWO types of Almond Joy Bites on hand at all times!!!! A good problem to have, no doubt! Happy Halloween! 😀 ~Shelley