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These almond butter energy balls are made with oats, chocolate chips, and coconut. They’re only 9 ingredients, no-bake, and no food processor is needed. Perfect for a healthy, make-ahead snack! Plus, they’re easy to make both vegan and/or gluten-free if needed.

Overhead photo of almond butter energy balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Looking for an easy nut butter ball recipe or a healthy snack idea to make in advance? You’ve come to the right place!

These almond butter oat balls are so quick to throw together and keep in the fridge throughout the week. I love them both before and after a workout, or as an afternoon pick-me-up while working from home or on the go.

As a dietitian, I’m happy to share that these are packed with nutritious ingredients – many of which you may already have on hand in your pantry. Did I mention that they also taste delicious? Enjoy!

Want more energy ball recipe ideas? Check out my roundup of healthy, no-bake energy balls! I’ve also got a roundup of 30+ healthy meal prep snack recipes for even more snack inspiration!

Closeup photo of almond butter energy balls on parchment paper.

Are Energy Balls Healthy?

Yes, so long as they use nutritious ingredients (like these ones do!)

These almond butter energy balls are filled with nutritious ingredients like rolled oats, almond butter, chia seeds, and coconut.

These ingredients provide a unique combination of fiber-rich carbohydrates, heart-healthy fats, and plant-based protein. Carbohydrates give you energy, and that energy gets sustained by the fiber, fats, and protein – these nutrients take longer to digest and slow your blood sugar response, so that you feel full, satisfied, and energized for longer!

Nutrition Benefits

If you’re interested in the unique nutrition benefits of these almond butter oat balls in particular, here are some of the impressive nutrition stats of their key ingredients:

Rolled Oats:

  • a great source of soluble fiber, which helps to lower LDL cholesterol, improve blood sugar control, promote a healthy gut, and increase feelings of fullness/satiety
  • a source of plant-based protein
  • a great source of many micronutrients, such as:
    • manganese
    • phosphorus
    • magnesium
    • copper
    • iron
    • zinc
    • B-vitamins, like thiamin, folate, pantothenic acid

Almond Butter:

  • a good source of heart-healthy unsaturated fats
  • a good source of dietary fiber
  • a good source of plant-based protein
  • rich in micronutrients, like:
    • magnesium
    • calcium
    • iron
    • vitamin E

Coconut:

  • rich in minerals, like:
    • manganese
    • copper
    • magnesium
    • selenium
    • potassium
    • iron
    • zinc
  • a source of insoluble fiber, which helps to promote digestive health and regularity
Overhead photo of recipe ingredients on a wood cutting board.

Ingredients Needed

All you need to make these almond butter energy balls are 9 simple, healthy ingredients:

Full ingredient measurements and detailed instructions are located in the recipe card at the bottom of this post!

Recipe Modifications & Ingredient Swaps

  1. Almond butter can be swapped for unsweetened creamy peanut butter. The flavour profile will be slightly different, but equally as delicious 🙂
  2. For a nut-free version, I would swap the almond butter with sunflower seed butter.
  3. If you’re gluten-free, be sure to use certified gluten-free rolled oats. You may also want to double check that the chocolate chips you use are gluten-free also. I love these mini chocolate chips that are allergy-friendly!
  4. While I love the flavour of honey with these, you can swap the honey for maple syrup if desired (or if vegan!)
  5. Chia seeds can be swapped for hemp seeds or flax seeds.
Overhead photo of almond butter, oat, chocolate chip mixture in a mixing bowl.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my energy balls not sticking together?

Likely because the ratio of dry ingredients to the wet (“binding”) ingredients is off. In this case, simply add a little bit more almond butter or honey to the mixture until you can easily form a ball in your hands!

Conversely, if the mixture is too wet, simply add some more rolled oats until the texture is right.

Do energy balls need to be refrigerated?

Yes! While it’s ok to keep these out of the fridge for a few hours (say, if you want to take them somewhere as a to-go snack), I would store them in the fridge at home. It will help to keep the energy bites firm and fresh.

How long are energy balls good for in the fridge?

If you think you’ll eat these almond butter energy balls within a week, you can keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.

Can you freeze energy balls?

Yes! If you’d like to keep these energy balls for longer than a week, you can store them in a freezer-safe container in the freezer.

Simply thaw the balls for a few minutes before you enjoy them (or else they will be too hard to bite into)!

Overhead photo of almond butter energy balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

More Healthy Energy Ball Recipes

Did you give this Almond Butter Energy Balls Recipe a try? Let me know by leaving a comment and recipe rating below!

If you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or Pinterest – seeing your creations always makes my day. You can also subscribe to my email list to never miss a new recipe or nutrition education post!

Get the Recipe: Almond Butter Energy Balls With Chocolate

These almond butter energy balls are made with oats, chocolate chips, and coconut. They're only 9 ingredients, no-bake, and no food processor is needed. Perfect for a healthy, make-ahead snack! Plus, they're easy to make both vegan and/or gluten-free if needed.
Overhead photo of almond butter energy balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
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5 from 6 votes
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Ingredients

Dry Ingredients:

Instructions

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Stir wet ingredients together in a large mixing bowl until well-combined.
  • In a separate bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients.
  • Pour dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Stir until well-combined.
  • Scoop roughly 2 Tbsp of mixture into your hands and roll/form into balls. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet and repeat until all the mixture is used. Recipe as written should make about 12 balls, depending on how large or small you make them!
  • Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 2 hours, allowing the balls to firm up. Be sure to allow balls to thaw for a few minutes before eating.

Notes

*STORAGE:
  • If you think you’ll eat these almond butter energy balls within a week, you can keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.
  • If you’d like to keep these energy balls for longer than a week, you can store them in a freezer-safe container in the freezer.
  • Simply thaw the balls for a few minutes before you enjoy them (or else they will be too hard to bite into)!
*BALLS NOT STICKING TOGETHER?:
  • Likely because the ratio of dry ingredients to the wet (“binding”) ingredients is off. In this case, simply add a little bit more almond butter or honey to the mixture until you can easily form a ball in your hands!
  • Conversely, if the mixture is too wet, simply add some more rolled oats until the texture is right.
*RECIPE MODIFICATIONS:
  • Almond butter can be swapped for unsweetened creamy peanut butter. The flavour profile will be slightly different, but equally as delicious 🙂
  • For a nut-free version, I would swap the almond butter with sunflower seed butter.
  • If you’re gluten-free, be sure to use certified gluten-free rolled oats. You may also want to double check that the chocolate chips you use are gluten-free also. I love these mini chocolate chips that are allergy-friendly!
  • While I love the flavour of honey with these, you can swap the honey for maple syrup if desired (or if vegan!)
  • Chia seeds can be swapped for hemp seeds or flax seeds.

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know by leaving a recipe rating below, or by tagging @walderwellness on Instagram. I love seeing your beautiful creations!

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Pinterest graphic for an almond butter energy balls recipe.
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