Healthy Energy Balls made with just 5 ingredients and full of goodness. A perfect no-bake energy boost any time of the day. Vegan; Gluten Free; Free From Refined Sugar.
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Healthy Energy Balls – Inspired by a Pilates Retreat
These Healthy Energy Balls are an adaptation of a recipe by Deliciously Ella. Packed with dates, hazelnuts and cacao, they are free from gluten, dairy, refined sugar and are also no bake and vegan. But they weren’t actually inspired by Deliciously Ella.
Whilst on an incredible Pilates retreat back in 2018 at Pignoulet in Gascony, the wonderful hosts would share an almond version of these treats as a pre-Pilates booster. They were a perfect way to start the day… Delicious, healthy and nutritious. They weren’t balls, but were made in a tray and cut into squares. So delicious were they that I asked for the recipe.
Although slightly adapted, these no bake energy balls are no less yummy. And even better, they are incredibly simple to make, as long as you have a sturdy blender.
Food associated with travel
It’s funny how foods become linked with activities and very specific memories. And these healthy energy balls are no different. They are now inextricably linked in my mind with the warmth of southern France and Pilates at sunrise in an open barn.
Of course, they are not the only recipes at Gluten Free Alchemist inspired by travel and events. I have other very fixed associations with Reggae Potatoes and the Peak District; Fish Bolognese and the Maldives; Homity Pies and University, home-made pasta and visiting my Italian Nana; and Vegetable Lasagne and sun-beds (that one’s a long story)…
And then there’s my take on Japanese Tofu, inspired by a wonderful home-cooked evening out with friends when visiting Japan in my 20’s. I also love Baked Greek Feta inspired by many a trip to Greece; Shakshuka and Hummus from my love and travel of North Africa; and even the deliciously nutritious Quinoa Breakfast Bowl that I discovered on a trip to Utah.
Gluten Free Alchemist is nothing if not eclectic!
What makes no bake energy balls ‘healthy’?
Energy balls (also known as ‘bliss balls’ or ‘protein balls’) are packed full of nutritious ingredients. Although not particularly low calorie, the ingredients they contain tend to be energy-boosting and sustaining. We’re talking dates, nuts, seeds, etc alongside healthier fats such as coconut oil and unrefined sugars.
While the ingredients in healthy energy balls vary from recipe to recipe, they all follow a general basic pattern, which includes a balance of protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats and fibre. So they are perfect for a pre-(or post) exercise boost… I know they don’t look that appetising, but these no bake energy balls are packed full of slow-release energy goodness. And… they taste amazingly good.
How has this Bliss Ball recipe been adapted?
The adaptations made here to the original Deliciously Ella recipe for healthy energy balls are pretty straight forward. I’ve fundamentally substituted almonds for hazelnuts (although almonds are yummy too). But I have also slightly altered the ingredient ratios because the balls were prone to ‘melt’ in the warmth (due to the liquid nature of the coconut oil). Regardless, they are still better stored in the fridge, both for sturdiness and longevity.
Ready to make these no bake Healthy energy balls?
With just 5 key ingredients needed (+ a pinch of salt), there’s hopefully no reason to delay making these bliss balls. Of course as always, if you do make them, please let me know about it… Did you make any other changes to the recipe? Or did you love them as they are?
Ping me a comment, an email, or tag me on social media (links at the top right of the post). I always love to hear from you. And don’t forget to subscribe by completing the box below to keep up to date with all our recipes here at Gluten Free Alchemist. Or to check out our beautiful Gluten Free Photographic Recipe Index for lots more gluten free inspiration…
Healthy Energy Balls with Hazelnut & Cacao
Key equipment
- heavy-duty blender
- fridge
- spoon
Ingredients
- 200 g stoneless dates de-stoned weight
- 100 g hazelnuts de-skinned and lightly toasted
- 12 g virgin coconut oil solid
- 45 g almond butter
- 2 tbsp cacao powder
- pinch fine sea salt
Instructions
- Weigh all ingredients into a blender (making sure your dates are de-stoned and the hazelnuts are lightly toasted).
- Pulse together until well blended.
- Place in the fridge to cool, before rolling into 12 to 14 balls with your hands.
- Store in the fridge until ready to eat.
Notes
Nutrition
© 2019-2023 Kate Dowse All Rights Reserved – Do not copy or re-publish this recipe or any part of this recipe on any other blog, on social media or in a publication without the express permission of Gluten Free Alchemist
Healthy Energy Balls shared with :
- Creative Muster #388 with Fluster Buster
- Meatless Monday with Confessions of a Mother Runner and A Whisk & Two Wands
- Inspire Me Monday #438 with Create With Joy
Gluten free AND Vegan (or thinking of heading that way?) – also check out my post on Gluten Free Vegan – Surviving Veganuary and Beyond
Previously shared (2018) with Fiesta Friday #249 with Angie, Goats & Greens and Apply To Face Blog
Hello, I made these this morning and are truly one of the best tasting energy balls I’ve made (and I have made aplenty!). Thanks for posting the recipe. All the best.
Thank you so much Laura. You are very welcome x
These sound and look amazing!
Awww… Thanks x
Such a healthy treat, have made ones using almonds and cacao. Have to try the hazelnuts ones next time.
Definitely worth a try Mayuri. I hope you enjoy them….
Actually, I think the possibilities are endless. I quite fancy using pistachios too x
These look delicious! I'd love to try these out some time!
~ Priya Iyer from http://www.thephotowali.wordpress.com
Thanks Priya x
These look great, and they're gluten free. I've recently discovered that almonds are tree nuts I CAN eat, so I'd be tempted to make the sub in reverse! I bet those would be great… Thanks for sailing these over to Fiesta Friday, and have a great week!
Yay! That's great. These are so good with almonds…. I would definitely try the 'reverse sub' xx
They look like my kind of healthy treat – where you don't realise it's healthy because it tastes so good!
Absolutely Kat. Thank you x
These energy balls look decadent and thank you for sharing details about your cruise trip. The food looked fabulous, and the staff took such care and attention to your dietary restrictions. I didn't even know about all the measures you have to take to prevent cross-contaminations.
Thanks Lily. The cross contamination stuff can be quite tricky, but so important, so it is really reassuring when people get it right without having to be told. x
I love that sort of exercise that makes you want to eat good food – as opposed to exercise that make you want to collapse into a bag of crisps 🙂 And these are all the more wonderful for bringing back some happy memories
Me too Johanna. It is all too easy to dive into the crisp packet, so anything more appealing is good with me. xx
They look really tasty I love hazelnuts. Thanks for linking to #CookBlogShare
Thanks Jac. You're welcome x
These look delicious! I love snacking on energy balls and I bet the toasted hazelnuts are so good in these ones. Thanks for sharing with #CookOnceEatTwice! x
Thank Corina. You're welcome. Energy balls are a must to have available…. They make such easy snacks x