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.
Is there anything I could replace ground flaxseed for?
Hi, Katie! Snack Bites are so flexible – you’ve got lots of options, and absolutely shouldn’t be afraid to play around with the ingredients, based on your family’s preferences or what you happen to have in the pantry! For example, our Tropical Snack Bites don’t have any flaxseed at all, but instead have just a bit of chia seed to provide omega-3s. Our (original) Quick and Healthy Snack Bites have a combination of flaxseed and toasted wheat germ. We’ve also tried mixing in a bit of wheat bran, but it honestly makes the texture a bit more dry and crumbly, which we personally didn’t like as well. You could try all wheat germ, or even leave the flax out all together and maybe just increase the oats or coconut a little. Go crazy, and mix-and-match at will! Taste as you go (you’ll want to, anyway!) until you get the flavor and texture just how you like it. We’ve found it’s pretty hard to mess up a Snack Bite! 😀 ~G&S
These are soooo yummy! I cannot wait to make these. Thank you two for the wonderful and helpful talk that you gave to the MOPS group today! Thank you again for a taste of some of your yummy treats. Can’t wait to go through your website more!
Hi, Allyson! Thanks so much for your sweet comments! It means so much to us that you took the time to let us know you enjoyed these! We had a really wonderful time with you ladies, and hope that some of our suggestions helped you guys to feel inspired and reassured! Let us know which of the other sample recipes you and your family loved, and which you try making at home – we really look forward to keeping in touch! ~G&S
These snack bites would be a savior during my afternoon snack attacks! Delicious!
Oh Pamela! You have NO idea how many of these little gems we go through! Both of our families are sort of snack-bite crazy right now! And these will qualify for the snack attack savior in the morning, afternoon, and just before bed.
What?? You don’t munch all day?? 🙂 ~Gretchen