Looking for a quick and tasty vegan snack? These Easy Vegan Energy Balls are perfect for a quick energy fill-in and what I love about these granola balls is that they are made without oats and sugar, and need minimal prep time and gather in just 15 minutes!!
These Vegan no-bake energy balls recipe is a breeze to whip up, making it perfect for those busy days when you need a nutritious boost. Packed with wholesome ingredients like nuts, dates, peanut butter, and coconut milk, these granola energy balls are soft and gooey with nutty flavor, and great for satisfying your sweet cravings.
This recipe is inspired by a reader who wanted me to create vegan energy bites without any sugar or cashews.
In the past, I had made Indian-style energy balls called Til Ladoo with flax seeds, or Jaggery Paratha Churma Balls, but that is not vegan. I am glad that I came up with such a simple gluten-free energy bites recipe that doesn't involve any roasting or baking and can be made ahead of time.
This is a gentle twist to the classical granola bites recipe as I chose to omit the oats and instead used Foxnuts. Foxnuts (Makhana) are crunchy and don't have any strong flavor like oats and they help in binding the balls.
Also, this recipe involves grinding all the ingredients in a food processor to make a smooth mixture, which can be set in the refrigerator to make energy bars or use the dough mixture at room temperature to make smooth bliss balls.
Enjoy these amazingly delicious no-bake treats on a busy weekday night, a workout day, or when on road trips, or pack them for school lunches!
More No Bake Recipes: Spiced Walnuts , Vegan Avocado Chocolate Mousse
Ingredients
This recipe uses pantry ingredients that are easily available. For detailed ratios of the basic ingredients, find the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Peanut Butter- Peanut butter adds a rich, nutty flavor. I have used a local brand of Peanut butter that is sweetened with dates and it has no added sugar in it. You may swap it with almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or cashew butter in a 1:1 ratio.
- Dates: While Medjool dates are perfect for this recipe, I was out of stock for them and had to use regular dates. Dates provide natural sweetness and a chewy texture. They are a good source of fiber and essential nutrients. If you have Medjool dates, I recommend using them. 4 would be sufficient for this recipe. Substitute with dried apricots, prunes, or figs in a 1:1 ratio for a similar sweetness and texture.
- Foxnuts: Foxnuts (makhana) offer a satisfying crunch. They are low in calories and high in protein. You may use rolled oats or oat flour as well.
- Raisins: Raisins add sweetness and a burst of natural flavor. Substitute with dried cranberries, currants, or chopped dates in a 1:1 ratio for a sweet and tangy flavor.
- Walnuts: Walnuts contribute a mild, earthy flavor and a satisfying crunch. They are high in omega-3 fatty acids. I love the flavor that comes from walnuts and won't recommend skipping them for the best taste.
- Almonds: Almonds provide a crunchy texture and a slightly sweet flavor. You may swap almonds with almond flour as well or add cashews, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds, instead.
- Coconut Milk: Coconut milk adds moisture and a hint of coconut flavor. It's a common dairy-free alternative. You may use ghee (but then the balls won't be vegan) or coconut cream. I am not sure how the taste would alter if you use almond milk or soy milk as coconut has a subtle flavor and it doesn't affect the flavor of the energy bites a lot.
How To Make Vegan Energy Balls
Step 1 Prepare Ingredients
Ensure dates are pitted. I had not chopped any ingredients.
Step 2 Blitz in Food Processor
In a food processor, combine foxnuts, almonds, walnuts, and raisins. Blend until it's a smooth mixture. You may pulse less to have a crumbly bit mixture as well. It depends upon your preference.
Step 3. Add Coconut Milk and peanut butter
Add pitted dates, peanut butter, and coconut milk. Adding coconut milk would be a gradual process. Continue blending until the mixture comes together and forms a sticky dough-like consistency. You may taste the mixture and adjust sweetness or texture if needed. Add more dates for sweetness or more coconut milk if it's too dry.
Step 4. Shape Into Balls
Let the mixture sit for 5-10 min covered in a bowl. If it's sticky, store it in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes. Take a small amount of the mixture and roll it between your palms to form bite-sized balls. Coat your hands with water or coconut oil to prevent sticking.
Step 5. Serve It
Your Vegan Granola Energy Balls are ready to be enjoyed! Perfect for a quick snack or a burst of energy throughout the day.
Expert Tips
- Make sure to use a high-speed food processor as grinding would take some effort. I had used a regular one but I had the patience to pulse, stop, and mix gradually.
- Add dry ingredients first and then add wet ingredients for a smooth mixture.
- Ensure the mixture has the right consistency by gradually adding coconut milk. It should be moist enough to hold together without being overly sticky. For a sticky mixture, you may add powdered foxnuts, almonds, or walnuts. They would help you bind it. You may also refrigerate the mixture for about 10 minutes before shaping it into balls. This makes the mixture easier to handle and helps the balls maintain their shape.
- Coat your hands with a bit of coconut oil or water to prevent the mixture from sticking while rolling into balls.
- Adjust the texture by pulsing the ingredients in a food processor. For a chunkier texture, pulse less; for a smoother consistency, blend a bit longer.
- While I made these energy balls using my hand as In India we are used to making Ladoos, you may use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to measure equal amounts of the mixture.
Storage Suggestions
You may store these granola energy balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 10 days. Moisture can affect the texture of the energy balls. Ensure they are completely dry before storing, and add a small piece of parchment paper between layers to absorb any excess moisture.
If you've made a large batch or want to extend their shelf life, you can freeze the energy balls. Place them in a single layer on a tray to freeze individually, then transfer them to a freezer bag or container. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
While these energy balls are best stored in the refrigerator or freezer, they can also be kept at room temperature for a short period, especially if you plan to consume them within a day or two.
Recipe FAQs
Eating in moderation is suggested. 1-2 energy balls a day is fine.
Yes, for small sweet cravings, energy balls made at home are perfect.
More Vegan Snacks:
- Methi Paratha Recipe
- Easy Fermented Cucumber Pickle
- Roasted Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad
- Indian Mango Rice
- Homemade Tomato Ketchup -Fresh Tomatoes
- Podi Dosa Recipe
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Easy Vegan Energy Balls Recipe- No Bake Granola Balls
Equipment
- 1 food processor
- 1 bowl storing the mixture
Ingredients
- ½ cup walnuts 25 halve pieces, 50 gm
- ½ cup almonds 40 pieces, 50 gm
- ¼ cup raisins 25 pieces, 40 gm
- ½ cup Foxnuts 40 pieces, 15 gm
- ¼ cup pitted dates 15 dates, if using medjool dates, 4 are sufficient.
- ¼ cup Coconut Milk adjust as per the consistency you want
- 2 tablespoon peanut butter
Instructions
- Ensure dates are pitted. I had not chopped any ingredients.In a food processor, combine foxnuts, almonds, walnuts, and raisins. Blend until it's a smooth mixture. You may pulse less to have a crumbly bit mixture as well. It depends upon your preference.
- Add pitted dates, peanut butter, and coconut milk. Adding coconut milk would be a gradual process. Continue blending until the mixture comes together and forms a sticky dough-like consistency. You may taste the mixture and adjust sweetness or texture if needed. Add more dates for sweetness or more coconut milk if it's too dry.
- Let the mixture sit for 5-10 min covered in a bowl. If it's sticky, store it in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes. Take a small amount of the mixture and roll it between your palms to form bite-sized balls. Coat your hands with water or coconut oil to prevent sticking.
- Your Vegan Granola Energy Balls are ready to be enjoyed! Perfect for a quick snack or a burst of energy throughout the day.
Video
Notes
- Make sure to use a high-speed food processor as grinding would take some effort. I had used a regular one but I had the patience to pulse, stop, and mix gradually.
- Add dry ingredients first and then add wet ingredients for a smooth mixture.
- Ensure the mixture has the right consistency by gradually adding coconut milk. It should be moist enough to hold together without being overly sticky. For a sticky mixture, you may add powdered foxnuts, almonds, or walnuts. They would help you bind it. You may also refrigerate the mixture for about 10 minutes before shaping it into balls. This makes the mixture easier to handle and helps the balls maintain their shape.
- Coat your hands with a bit of coconut oil or water to prevent the mixture from sticking while rolling into balls.
- Adjust the texture by pulsing the ingredients in a food processor. For a chunkier texture, pulse less; for a smoother consistency, blend a bit longer.
- While I made these energy balls using my hand as in India we are used to making Ladoos, you may use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to measure equal amounts of the mixture.
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving size: 1 | |
| Servings: 12 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 73 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 5.5g | 7% |
| Saturated Fat 1g | 5% |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 1mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 5.2g | 2% |
| Dietary Fiber 1.2g | 4% |
| Total Sugars 3g | |
| Protein 2.2g | |
| Vitamin D 0mcg | 0% |
| Calcium 15mg | 1% |
| Iron 0mg | 2% |
| Potassium 78mg | 2% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
Usha says
That's a great recipe for a really delicious energy ball, Deepti. Hope to make a batch soon
Deepti says
Thank you so much, Usha, for the encouraging words. Pls share how it turned out for you.