These coconut energy balls are the perfect fun mid-afternoon treat, or easy light breakfast! They combine oats, almond butter and seeds, but are made without any dates, dried fruit or chocolate. Vegan and gluten-free, if using suitable oats.
If fun snacks are loved by your family as much as they are by mine, then you may also like to see my easy maple syrup flapjacks, my turmeric ginger energy balls and cardamom oatmeal cookies. Both so flavourful and easy to make!
These coconut energy balls without dates are quick and easy to make, and can easily packed up for a school or work snack! Full of flavor and so tempting I think!
Jump to:
⭐ Why this recipe is so good
- No dried fruit: these coconut energy balls without dates don't use dried fruit for those who prefer, or have to avoid it.
- Easy recipe: these are a no bake recipe, and just need a little time in the fridge to chill before making the balls.
- Pantry staples: simply head to the pantry for your ingredients!
🥥 Ingredients
These coconut energy balls are made with mostly pantry staples. You will need:
- Oats - if you are gluten-free then be sure to use an appropriate brand such as the Bob's Red Mill gluten-free rolled oats.
- Ground flaxseed - helps bind the energy balls together. As a heads up, flax isn't rated on the SIGHI list, for those who are low histamine.
- Almond butter - the main binder and gives a lovely creamy flavour. I'm a big fan of the Pip and Nut almond butter which I buy by the kilo (truly!). See below for alternatives.
- Pumpkin seeds - give a little crunch!
- Desiccated coconut - I use this in the energy balls themselves, and you can roll them in it too for extra flavour (and they look pretty!).
- Maple syrup - for that truly amazing sweetness that means I have a bottle on every food delivery I get . . .
🌰 Almond butter and alternatives
Energy balls need a binder, and without dates I use almond butter for this recipe. However, for my low histamine readers, I want to flag up that almonds score 1 on the SIGHI list, so may not be suitable for everyone. Only try if you are sure you are OK with them.
I haven't tried it myself, but I don't see why you couldn't use pumpkin seed butter instead if you prefer to be nut-free (or have to be). It has the same consistency, although they will of course have a different taste and be a slightly strange green colour!
🔪 Step by step instructions
These coconut energy balls are super simple to make, and only require a few steps. Don't you just love the pour everything (well, almost everything!) into a food processor and press blend recipes?!
- The first step is to combine your oats and flax meal in a Nutribullet or food processor. I've tried using both, and they do work, but I would say that using a food processor is easier as you don't have to keep scraping the sides down as often. Blitz the oats and milled flaxseeds for 10 seconds or so.
- Next add in all the ingredients, except for any desiccated coconut you wish to roll the balls in to coat. Blitz again so that it is all combined, and forms a dough-like texture that holds together. If your mixture is too dry then add a touch more almond butter or maple syrup. Too wet (it shouldn't be), then a touch more oats.
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl, cover and then chill in the fridge for at least 20 minutes.
- Now the fun bit! Use a cookie scoop or your hands and roll pieces of the 'dough' into your fun and healthy energy balls. This recipe makes around 9 balls. If you want to, then roll in some desiccated coconut as well. Makes them look even prettier!
💭 Recipe tips and notes
- Blend the oats and milled flaxseed to a grainy texture rather than a very fine flour.
- Don't skip the time for the 'dough' to chill in the fridge. This helps it to stick together.
- Rolling in coconut is optional, but adds even more coconut flavour!
🥣 More fun & healthy energy balls
Find lots of fun snacks perfect for adults and kids alike, including my turmeric energy balls and my honey spelt cookies. Some recent energy balls to enjoy:
And there are some tasty tahini honey energy balls in my low histamine sweet treats ebook to try out!
I'm always in the kitchen, so come follow me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to be the first to hear of new recipes! And please do leave a star rating ⭐ if you've tried the recipe!
📖 Recipe
Coconut Energy Balls
Equipment
- Blender or food processor
Ingredients
- 1 cup oats gf if required
- ⅓ cup milled flaxseed
- 2 tablespoon desiccated coconut + more for the coating
- ½ cup almond butter
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoon pumpkin seeds
- 2 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Pour the oats and flax meal into a food processor and pulse blend until it becomes a grainy texture, but not a fine flour. Then add all the other ingredients, except any coconut used to coat the energy balls. Blend until it forms a thick sticky ball that holds together.
- Add more water if it is too dry, or almond butter if it is not holding together.
- Transfer the 'dough' to a bowl and chill in the fridge for at least 20 minutes.
- Use a cookie scoop or your hands to form around 9 energy balls. If you wish, sprinkle some coconut on a plate and roll the balls to coat.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- This recipe makes fairly sweet energy balls. I haven't tried it myself but if you prefer a less sweet option, then I think that reducing the maple syrup slightly, and adding more almond butter, would work well.
- Blend the oats and milled flaxseed to a grainy texture, rather than a fine powder.
- Don't skip letting the 'dough' chill in the fridge as this helps the mixture stick together.
- Please note that nutritional information is offered as a courtesy. It is auto-generated and should be understood to be an estimate.
- almonds (almond butter), which scores 1.
- flaxseed isn't rated on the list.
Clarissa Cabbage says
Looks great! I'm not sure I can tolerate almond butter.... I wonder if coconut butter could be used as a substitute? 🤔
Claire says
Hi Clarissa, I've not actually used coconut butter before so I'm not sure if it has the same consistency. Something like pumpkin seed butter should work well if you tolerate that OK?
Toni says
Hi! Could you add protein powder to these? I found a histamine friendly protein powder, but I'm not sure if it would be too powdery and how to "offset" that for the recipe.
Claire says
I haven't ever tried adding protein powder to the recipe, but if you do I would use quite a small amount and perhaps add a little more nut or seed butter to add a bit more 'moisture' so to speak.
Anne Martin says
I make these very regularly and keep them in the fridge for when I need a snack.
Great recipe and easy.
Very tasty and my workmates love when I bring them some in!!
Claire says
Love that your workmates enjoy them too! So nice to hear that you enjoy the energy balls Anne 🙂
Stacy says
What can you use instead of flax
Claire says
I haven't tried it myself, but chia seeds could work as a swap.
Tammy says
I can't find desiccated coconut. Can it be substituted with shredded coconut?
Claire says
It can, but perhaps give them a quick blend in a blender of food processor to cut them a bit smaller first 🙂
Stephanie Saucy says
Is the nutritional information for one ball?
Claire says
Yes it is. Here one serving is one energy ball. Just to note that the nutritional information is auto-generated, so is estimate. It may vary depending upon the products you use, for example.
Deborah Vallance says
How do you store them? Do they need to be kept in the fridge?
Claire says
It is best to keep them in a sealed container in the fridge. If you are one of my low histamine readers than I suggest being mindful of histamine formation and personal sensitivities about the length of time you store them for.
Ragnheidur says
Loooove making these 👏🏼 Soo good
Claire says
so glad you like them!
Tara says
These are perfect! I used the food processor to grind up whole flax for this recipe.
throughthefibrofog says
So glad you like them Tara! Great idea about grinding up whole flax.
Chronic Mom says
Looks delicious, I can't wait to try them! Energy balls are one of my favorite things, they're so easy to grab and go.