Description
These Apricot Energy Balls are a simple, wholesome snack made with dates, dried apricots, cashews, chia seeds, cinnamon, and coconut oil. They offer a chewy, sweet treat that tastes like dessert and can be prepared in about 20 minutes. Perfect for a quick energy boost, these balls keep well in the fridge for up to two weeks and are easy to roll and store. No fancy coatings or complicated steps—just nutritious ingredients blended into satisfying snack bites.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 6 dates (pitted and soaked in warm water for 2 minutes to soften)
- 1 cup dried apricots
- 1/3 cup cashew halves
- 2 1/2 tbsp chia seeds
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1/8 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Soak Dates and Melt Oil: Soak the pitted dates in warm water for 2 minutes to soften them, making them easier to blend. While soaking, melt the coconut oil in the microwave for about 1 minute until fully liquid. Drain the dates well before using.
- Blend Into a Cohesive Dough: Add softened dates, dried apricots, cashew halves, melted coconut oil, chia seeds, sea salt, and ground cinnamon to a food processor. Blend for 20-30 seconds until the mixture holds together when pressed but still has some texture, stopping short of a paste to retain interesting bite.
- Shape Into One-Inch Rounds: Using dampened hands or a small spoon, roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a baking sheet or plate. If mixture is too sticky, chill for 10-15 minutes before rolling.
- Refrigerate Until Firm: Refrigerate the balls for at least 30 minutes (up to 2 hours) to let the coconut oil solidify, improving texture and handling. Once chilled, they are ready to eat or can be stored in an airtight container.
Notes
- Dampening your hands with water before rolling helps prevent sticking.
- Use a small cookie scoop for uniform-sized balls that chill evenly.
- If the mixture clings to your hands, chill it for 10 minutes before rolling.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- Freeze in a single layer on parchment paper for 1 hour before transferring to a bag for up to 3 months.
- Slip parchment paper between balls when freezing to prevent them from sticking together.
- Energy balls firm up when cold due to coconut oil; chilling time affects final texture.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: energy balls, apricot energy balls, healthy snacks, vegan snacks, no-bake energy bites, chia seeds, dried apricot, cashew snacks
