I have a few go-to snack recipes that I repeatedly make for my family: stovetop popcorn, snack mix, and these energy bites. These energy balls are not only simple to put together and adaptable to various pantry ingredients, but they also offer a delightful balance of sweetness and chewiness that makes them just as irresistible to me as they are to my kids. Crafting these energy balls requires just one bowl and roughly 10 minutes of your time. If you prefer, you can weigh your ingredients instead of using measuring cups. I personally recommend using the OXO Good Grips 1.5 tablespoon cookie scoop for shaping them, although you can always eyeball portions and roll them into balls with a spoon. After about an hour of chilling in the fridge, these energy bites are ready to enjoy. They can last up to 2 weeks in the fridge, but can also be frozen for up to 2 months, making it convenient to make them in larger quantities. These energy bites are a satisfying option for those in-between meal moments, like the time between school pick-up and soccer practice. I often whip up a batch each week, experimenting with different ingredients and flavors to keep things interesting.
To customize these 5-ingredient energy balls to your liking or to work with what you have available, you can make the following ingredient swaps:
– Oats: You can use quick-cooking oats instead of rolled oats.
– Nut butter: Almost any nut butter can be substituted for peanut butter. For instance, almond butter can provide a cake-like flavor and is great for adding sprinkles. Chunky or natural peanut butter will yield a rougher, nuttier texture.
– Binding ingredient: In addition to nut butter and sweetener, you can use ground flax seed in equal measure to help bind the ingredients together. Another alternative is vanilla protein powder.
– Sweetener: Use less maple syrup or honey if you opt for sweetened protein powder or nut butter.
– Fun flavor enhancers: Get creative with your mix-ins, such as mini chocolate chips, dried fruit, coconut, or even sprinkles for added color and texture. One tasty combination is dried cherry with candied ginger.
For a batch of 12 energy balls, you will need the following ingredients:
– 1 cup (4 ounces) rolled oats
– 3/4 cup (7 ounces) creamy peanut or almond butter
– 1/2 cup (2.4 ounces) almond flour or ground flax seed
– 2 tablespoons (1 ounce) maple syrup or honey
– 1/2 cup small mix-ins like mini chocolate chips, dried fruit, or sprinkles
– 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
In a medium bowl, mix together the oats, nut butter, almond flour or flax, maple syrup or honey, mix-ins, and salt until well combined. Shape the dough into 12 balls, chill for an hour, and store in an airtight container
The energy balls can be stored in the fridge for extended periods by using an airtight container. They can remain fresh for up to 2 weeks with this method. For even longer storage, it is recommended to freeze the energy balls solid on a baking sheet before transferring them to a zip-top bag. This freezing method allows the energy balls to be stored for up to 2 months. When ready to consume, the energy balls can be served frozen or thawed in the fridge beforehand.
Experimenting with different ingredients in the energy balls offers a wide range of flavor possibilities, ensuring that each batch is unique. Here are some flavor ideas to consider:
1. Almond butter + sprinkles: Create cake batter bites by combining almond butter with sprinkles.
2. Cocoa powder and dark chocolate: Add these ingredients for a rich brownie-flavored energy ball.
3. Coconut and dried cherries: Infuse a fruity punch by incorporating coconut and dried cherries.
4. Almond butter, coconut, and chocolate: Make an Almond Joy energy bite by blending these ingredients.
5. Cashew butter, candied ginger, and cinnamon: Swap peanut butter for cashew butter and add candied ginger and cinnamon for a flavorful gingerbread-inspired energy ball.
By playing with different flavor combinations, it is possible to enjoy a variety of energy balls each week without repeating the same taste. This versatility allows for creativity in the kitchen and keeps the snack routine exciting.
For those interested in more recipe ideas and culinary inspiration, Simply Recipes by Meghan Splawn is a valuable resource to explore. Discover a world of flavors and techniques to elevate your cooking experience.
