These lemon energy balls are easy to make in just a few minutes, with only a few ingredients. They’re a great healthy snack or treat and they taste just like a lemon Larabar.
These lemon energy balls are a great refined sugar free snack. They’re perfect for keeping on hand when you’re in a mid day slump, or craving something sweet.
They are gluten and grain free, vegan, and with no added sugar. They’re the perfect fresh and delicious treat that is naturally sweet, filling and perfect for an afternoon snack for kids or adults!
Ingredients to make Lemon Energy Balls:
- dates – you can often find them in the produce section, or packaged with the dry fruit.
- almonds and cashews – to add a little more texture and creaminess to the mixture
- fresh lemon juice
- lemon zest – the majority of the fresh lemon flavor comes from the zest.
- sea salt – optional, but it balances out the sweetness a bit.
How to make Lemon Energy Balls?
Pit the dates if you need to. Then add the dates in warm water for about 10 minutes to soften them. Dry them off with paper towels, squeezing out any water that went into the middle of the dates.
Add the nuts to a food processor and pulse them on high until they are nice, small, crumbly pieces.
Add in the dates, lemon juice, and lemon zest and mix it on high again until you have a nice soft paste. It should be a little sticky, that it sticks together when squeezed between your fingers, but not wet.
Scoop the dough into 1 TBS sized sections and roll them into balls.
Place them in a baking dish and place it in the fridge for at least one hour, or until firm.
Tips for making Lemon Energy Balls:
- You can also press the mixture into a lined 8 or 9inch pan to make bars instead of balls.
- If you have allergies to almonds, or cashews, you can substitute the same amount for peanuts as needed, though it might give your balls a peanut buttery taste. Or you can substitute them for sunflower seeds.
- Add in some coconut for a little tropical flavor. Lower the amount of nuts used, by 1/4 cup each and add 1/2 cup of unsweetened shredded coconut.
- Add in some lemon extract or oil if you want an even stronger flavor.
How to store Lemon Energy Balls?
These energy balls should be kept in a ziptop bag or other airtight container in the fridge. They can be stored for up to 2 weeks.
They can also be kept out of the fridge wrapped up tightly for a few days. They may soften up a bit, but can be perfect to throw in your purse or bag in the morning and enjoy later in the day.
You can also freeze them in a freezer safe container for up to 2 months. Flash freeze them spread out on a pan first for about 30 minutes then place them in your container to keep them from sticking together.
These lemon energy balls are naturally sweet and so delicious. They’re the perfect snack, or even good enough for a treat.
More energy ball recipes:
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Lemon Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 8 oz dates
- 1 cup unsalted cashews
- 1 cup unsalted almonds
- 2 tsp fresh lemon juice (to taste)
- 2 tsp lemon zest (to taste)
- 1 pinch sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- Soak the dates in warm water for 10 minutes if they aren't soft. Dry them off with paper towels.
- Add the cashews, and almonds to a food processor. Pulse on high until the nuts are chopped into small, coarse pieces. Scrape the sides and bottom of the food processor with a rubber spatula as needed.
- Add the dates, lemon juice, lemon zest, and sea salt to the food processor and continue to pulse it over high speed until you have a nice sticky dough like texture. (Scrape the bottom and sides down with a rubber spatula as needed)
- Put the bowl into the fridge to chill for about 5 minutes.
- Scoop the dough into 1 TBS sized sections and roll them into balls.
- Place the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place the pan in the fridge to chill for 1 hour.
- Enjoy, or store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Nutrition
Christine says
Delicious!!