Almond Butter Energy Balls
~ 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.
You don’t even know how much I love the look of this recipe. Not only does it emulate an almond joy – the best candy around – but it also almost seems like cookie dough, which this pregnant lady has been craving like mad lately! Ingredients are ON the shopping list!
We hope you made these – and loved them!! Don’t you just love when you’re craving something and then find a super easy recipe for it?!? And yes – it is kind of like a cookie dough! If you like this one, please check out these other Snack Bite recipes – all are cookie dough-esque! Hopefully you and your family will enjoy these, too! 🙂 ~G&S
Made these for the potluck over the weekend. They were perfect! Easy to whip up, healthy, and super yum! Thanks for the recipe. I’ll make them again! Even the husband liked them! 🙂
Yay! Three cheers for Debi!! 🙂
So glad they were a hit with everyone – especially your hubby! Our husbands can’t seem to get through the day without them! Perfect for a quick breakfast on the run or an after workout snack! And the kids … well, they eat them as fast as our little hands can roll them out! ~G&S
Oh noes! Look at what you’ve done! I almost felt blessed for not living in a country that celebrates Halloween so I wouldn’t have to eat too much.. but of course you had to come up with something that I would NEED to make, so I’m going to kill myself in calories anyway… Especially after your last snack bites were such a success, I just know these won’t last long!
Oh, but you don’t have to feel guilty after a few of these like you would after a few candy bars!! That’s the beauty here!! These will curb your sweet cravings – hands down! Yet there’s so much nutrition jammed into each little bite! Gotta try! 🙂 ~G&S
I made these again today.. and everyone loves them! I had to make a double batch and it was still gone in no time! They’re calling them addictive 😉 Oh! They’re also totally delicious without the chocolate chips… (I left them out- how healthy am I?!)
I love coconut. And these are so easy to whip up!
These are SO easy to make! We find making a double (or triple, or quadruple!) batch is a breeze! And then you’ll have them on hand for longer! Bonus!! Enjoy! ~G&S
One of my favorite candy bars, ladies! Very timely, as this is a great sub for all the Halloween candy coming my way soon! Flax seed is so good for us and when it is ground, is when we are really exposed to all the health benefits. Thanks for another great treat recipe!
Hi, Lori! Yep – Snack Bites are gonna be our front-line weapon this Halloween to keep us from scarfing the candy while still feeling like we’re indulging! Oh – and totally agree about flax! Oh, yeah! 😀 ~G&S