Made with coconut, dates, cashew butter and clementine juice & zest, these grain free paleo energy balls make a great snack or dessert.
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I'm such a fan of energy balls. They're super versatile, working for a grab-and-go breakfast, light dessert or a snack that actually keeps me full. Something else I love? They freeze incredibly well. I make a big batch and freeze for later. Then when I need a snack to take to the park with us, I just pop a couple in a container and they're thawed by the time my kids are ready to enjoy them. No planning required!
This latest version is perfect for these colder months when clementines are in season. I also wanted to create a paleo energy balls recipe, as many energy bites are oat-based and I know that doesn't work for everyone.
Energy balls are flexible so feel free to mix up the nut butter, add different chopped nuts or dried fruit, etc.
I hope you love this easy paleo snack as much as my family does!
Clementine Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup unsweetened, shredded coconut
- 2 pitted Medjool dates*
- 1/4 cup cashew butter*
- 1 T maple syrup
- 2 clementines
- 1 tsp chia seeds
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp almond extract (or sub vanilla extract)
Instructions
- In a food processor combine the following: 1 cup shredded coconut (keep remaining ¼c for last step), 2 Medjool dates, ¼ cup cashew butter, 1 T maple syrup, 1 T clementine zest (~2 clementines), 1 T clementine juice (~1-2 clementines), 1 tsp chia seeds, ¼ tsp salt, ¼ tsp almond extract
- Pulse until combined.
- Form batter into 1-inch balls. Batter will be sticky.
- Spread the remaining coconut onto parchment paper. Roll balls into the coconut and coat evenly.
- Store in the fridge.
Notes
Tips & Variations on Paleo Energy Balls
- Cashew Butter: If you haven't tried cashew butter, I highly recommend trying to get your hands on some. It is so delicious and complements the clementine flavor quite well. You can find it at Thrive Market or Amazon. That said, feel free to sub almond butter if you like!
- Add-Ins: Get creative! Energy ball recipes are so flexible. Slivered almonds or finely chopped toasted walnuts would be delicious additions. You could also add dried cherries or cranberries. For more energy bite variations, make sure to check out my post on 5 Recipes for Healthy Energy Bites.
- Sticky Batter: If you're having trouble rolling the batter into balls, try dipping your fingers in water before rolling the dough. You can also refrigerate the energy ball dough before rolling into balls to make it a bit easier.
Is this a good paleo meal prep recipe?
Yes! Energy balls are pretty much the ideal recipe for meal prep. Make the whole recipe ahead of time and store in the fridge to enjoy throughout the week. They're the perfect example of how batching can save you time. Instead of preparing a snack every day, you can make a big batch of energy balls during your meal prep session and be set for the week!
Even better, they freeze really well! It's just as easy to make a double or triple batch of these and store some in the freezer for future snacks and healthy treats. See below for tips on freezing!
How to Freeze Energy Balls
These tips on how to freeze energy balls will help ensure that these tasty treats are just as good two months from now as the day you made them.
- Flash Freeze: This is the #1 trick for freezing individual items like energy balls, muffins or cookies well. All you have to do is freeze the energy balls in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Then transfer to your favorite freezer container. This keeps them from getting stuck together when they freeze!
- Label: This is a tip for anything you stick in the freezer, not just energy balls, but it's an important one! Make sure to label with the date and what the item is when you add it to the freezer. It's way too easy to forget what's in your freezer and most things really taste best if you eat them within 2-3 months. I like these labels from The Container Store.
Nutrition – What Makes This a Healthy Energy Balls Recipe
This healthy energy balls recipe makes a highly nutritious snack. Containing both protein and healthy fats, it will actually keep you full between meals. These also contain a variety of vitamins and minerals, highlighted below.
Coconut (Copper, Iron, Selenium, Manganese)
Coconuts provide copper, iron and selenium. They're also very high in manganese, which is beneficial for metabolism and bone health.
Dates (Copper, Vitamin B6, Magnesium, Potassium)
Studies show that dates may not only be a healthier replacement for sugar, but indeed a genuine healthy food. Dates provide copper, vitamin B6, magnesium and potassium, in addition to plenty of fiber. Medjool dates provide more calcium than other varieties.
Cashews (Copper, Magnesium, Manganese)
While generally thought of as nuts, cashews are actually seeds. They're rich in copper, magnesium and manganese. These nutrients are good for bone health, brain health and immunity. Cashews are also high in antioxidants and may benefit weight loss efforts, blood sugar levels and heart health.
Maple Syrup (Manganese, Zinc)
1/3 cup of pure maple syrup contains 165% of the recommended dietary intake for manganese and 28% for zinc. It also has a lower glycemic index than table sugar, reducing blood sugar spikes.
Clementines (Vitamin C, Antioxidants, Folate, Thiamine)
Due to their vitamin C and other antioxidants, clementines help fight inflammation, boost your immune system and are good for your skin.
Chia Seeds (Omega-3s)
With quite a mild flavor, chia seeds are a great way to add fiber, protein and healthy fats to smoothies. They absorb water, so will also thicken your smoothie if you let it sit for a few minutes. Chia seeds also boast a super high Omega-3 (ALA) content – the highest of any known plant source.
I want more easy paleo snacks!
A lot of pre-packaged snacks are off limits if you're paleo. There are so many delicious, easy paleo snacks you can make at home though! Here are three of my favorites:
Easy Baba Ganoush
Baba ganoush makes such a good dip for raw veggies and it's way easier to make than you would think! All you do is roast an eggplant and blend the flesh with a bit of tahini, lemon juice, garlic, cumin and paprika. I find that including a healthy dip like this in my weekly meal prep makes it way more likely my family will snack on veggies throughout the week.
Guacamole Stuffed Mini Peppers
If you're looking for a produce-packed snack everyone will actually be excited to eat, I have the perfect thing for you! My simple, homemade guacamole pairs so well with mini bell peppers and they're fun to eat!
Chocolate Bliss Energy Bites
If you're looking for more Paleo energy balls, these chocolate bliss energy bites are another great choice. They're sweetened with dates and you can add either almond extract or peppermint extract for a different twist. The chocolate peppermint version is perfect for a healthy holiday treat!
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