Who knew that cranberry coconut energy balls would make the perfect snack? Yep! These bite sized balls are no bake, very easy to make, tasty and yield an extra boost of energy made using a combination of walnuts, dates along with cranberries and shredded coconut.
Energy balls (the clue is in the name) are super duper filling, nutritious and so tasty that both adults and kids will enjoy them.
Learn to make this 6 ingredient simple recipe in a matter of minutes!!
Whenever I'm looking for a quick, slow releasing pick-me-up then I always turn to some energy balls. Don't get some wrong I love my wholesome Orange Mango Green Smoothie and not forgetting my fruit loaded Strawberry and Banana Smoothie but sometimes a girl just wants to eat her way to health rather than drink her way there.
So insert these cranberry coconut energy balls, quick, easy, delicious and handy. I tend to make a batch quantity of them and have them on my person when I'm on the road or need a burst of energy before working out.
The great things about energy balls is that you can pretty much add ANY dried fruit, nut or seed to them. My favourite ones are these Raw Cacao Energy Balls. and I also like these Tamarind Balls too.
You can even convert them into a post workout snack by adding a scoop of protein powder. If you are looking for an on the go snack or even something to consume first thing in the morning then try this!
Ingredients you will need
- Coconut Shredded: I like to use shredded coconut not chips as they breakdown with ease and are great for coating the balls.
- Cranberries: if possible buy cranberries, that are unadulterated, organic and free from additives like refined sugar
- Dates: Medjool dates are preferred because of their juiciness but other dried dates work. Just make sure they are pitted or pit the dates yourself.
- Walnuts/almonds: nuts are such a treat addition to energy balls I like to use two variations.
- Cinnamon: I love cinnamon so a little dash is yields subtle warmth.
Reasons to make energy balls
- They are super quick and whip up!
- No baking is required
- You only need to toss the ingredients in a food processor, roll into balls and coat.
- Eat them on the go/great for snacking
- You can add as many add in ingredients are you like
Other adds in
- Hemp hearts
- Bee pollen
- Chia Seeds
- Protein powder
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sunflower seeds
- Oats
- Flaxseeds
- Fruit fruit
How to make cranberry coconut energy balls
- Grind the walnuts and almonds using an s-blade in a food processor on high speed until a fine consistency is formed (picture 1 & 2).
- Add the coconut and cinnamon - pulse for a few seconds to combine with the ground nuts (picture 3 & 4).
- Slowly add a few dates at a time until all are transferred to the processor and then add the cranberries.
- Continue to blend until the mixture pulls together (picture 5 & 6).
- Use hands to roll into mini balls and dust with the excess coconut (picture 7 & 8).
Can you freeze these energy balls?
To freeze them down, simply place the balls on a baking tray with parchment paper, spaced out and place the tray in the freezer for 20 minutes so they are cold enough to stick together.
From there, you can put them in a zip lock bag or sealed container for storage.
To thaw them out simply leave them to stand at room temperate until they soften.
I can't seem to get my ingredients to full combine, help?
No problem! Assuming you are using soft dates or soaked them, sometimes it depends on the power of your food processor.
Fear not, if you are having issues if your mixture coming together simply add a splash or warm water and see if that remedies the problem.
If not, then you may need to add a few more splashes, but don't go overboard as you don't want to end up with a sticky mess!
Notes and tips
- This batch makes roughly 12 balls but will very depending on size.
- Medjools dates are super soft and best to use, if you can't get hold of any simply use another pitted date and soak the dates in warm water for 30 minutes in necessary to soften first.
- You can stick to the recipe to hand and include some oats, seeds or additional dried fruit.
- These balls are freezer friendly, as mentioned in the post, part freeze them on parchment paper then transfer to a zip lock bag/sealed container for storage.
- The energy balls can be frozen for up to 3 months or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Don't add all of the ingredients at once to the food processor, add the ingredients in stages so they all breakdown evenly.
- For best results if you do not want to freeze your energy balls leave them to stand in your refrigerator for quality control.
Try these other on the go snacks
Cinnamon Sweet and Salted Instant Pot Popcorn
Oven Baked Cayenne Chickpeas
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Cranberry Coconut Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup of medjool dates or soaked dates
- ½ cup of walnuts
- ½ cup of almonds
- ¼ cup of shredded coconut + excess of dusting
- ½ tsp of cinnamon
- 3 tbsp dried cranberries
Instructions
- Grind the walnuts and almonds using an s-blade in a food processor on high speed until a fine consistency is formed.
- Add the coconut and cinnamon - pulse for a few seconds to combine with the ground nuts.
- Slowly add a few dates at a time until all are transferred to the processor and then add the cranberries.
- continue to blend until the mixture pulls together.
- Use hands to roll into mini balls and dust with the excess coconut.
Notes
- This batch makes roughly 12 balls but will very depending on size.
- Medjools dates are super soft and best to use, if you can't get hold of any simply use another pitted date and soak the dates in warm water for 30 minutes in necessary to soften first.
- You can stick to the recipe to hand and include some oats, seeds or additional dried fruit.
- These balls are freezer friendly, as mentioned in the post, part freeze them on parchment paper then transfer to a zip lock bag/sealed container for storage.
- The energy balls can be frozen for up to 3 months or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Don't add all of the ingredients at once to the food processor, add the ingredients in stages so they all breakdown evenly.
- For best results if you do not want to freeze your energy balls leave them to stand in your refrigerator for quality control.
Things have been so crazy busy with a new baby. These energy bites are such a perfect easy snack for grab-and-go. And yummy too!
No problem Michelle and thank you 🙂
Yes these really do make the most perfect snack! I can see myself having some of these in my handbag for when I get hungry and I am out and about. The ingredients look so easy too, thanks for sharing!
You are more than welcome Adrianne!!
What a lovely recipe. Just what I needed. Something delicious without turning the oven on. Thank you
You are welcome Neli
Cranberry and coconut are two of my favourite flavours. I can't wait to make these again.
You are welcome Sisley
I love this recipe! Coconut and cranberry are two of my favorite flavors but I've not have them together like this before - so good!
Thanks for the love Lauren
I buy something very similar at my local health food store but they are about 1.75" in diam. What diameter are yours ?
I would say they are about the same size.
Hey Charla! These are looking good.. i do a lot of traveling so food like this is perfect for when you're on the road and you need a kick of energy that will also feed your body something healthy as well.. nice! btw, i'm addicted to pure cacao and i can see these working well with cacao also.. Dino :~)
Hi Dino,
You can be really inventive with energy balls, so let me know how that works out for you. I'm also a fan of raw cacao, almost to the point where most of my desserts contain some cacao lol. I have a coconut chocolate energy ball recipe which is featured in the recipe index. You might like that one.