Make-ahead snacks can certainly come in handy during a busy week. You're hungry, but you don't have time to cook or want to make any more messes. You don't want anything from the vending machine at work, but you've long since exhausted your stash of emergency fruit bars. So how do you snack smartly? You make a stash of "energy balls," which are little bites of delicious superfoods, like nut butter, coconut, cocoa nibs, seeds, and more, and you keep them in your drawer, purse, gym bag, or any other spot where your snacking pangs might hit.
While energy bites might taste sweet and decadent, they're actually really good for you. Here are a few low-sugar energy ball recipes to choose from for your snacking needs. Once you learn these basics, let your imagination wander with other stir-ins and combinations.
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No-Bake Energy Bites
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These energy bites don't require baking, and they taste super sweet but are actually low in sugar, with just six grams per serving. Use peanut butter, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and vanilla for this recipe, but you can swap out for almond butter or darker chocolate, too. Pop them in the freezer, and enjoy them more chilled, because they will taste amazing and hit all those mid-day dessert notes.
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No Bake Energy Balls
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These energy bites are great for an on-the-go breakfast, and you can make a big batch at once and save for up to a week in the fridge. Plus, there are healthy fats from flaxseed and chia seeds to boost satiety, so they will keep you full until lunch. And one ball has only eight grams of sugar.
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Pumpkin Almond Joy Bites
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Love pumpkin? You can indulge that craving with these easy, no-bake energy bites that are super low in sugar. (Just one gram per ball.) Made with almond butter and oats blended with winter spices, it's the perfect on-the-go snack to stash in your bag or to keep on hand at the office.
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No Bake Energy Bites
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These energy bites are a bit higher in sugar (15 grams) than some of the others, but each ball is around 200 calories and has a lot of healthy fats, complex carbs, and natural ingredients, making it a way better option than a sugary or carb-filled granola or candy bar. You can add unsweetened shredded coconut if you want more fats and flavor.
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Chocolate Protein Balls
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If you need an energy ball that is heavier in protein to keep you fuller longer, this one is for you. There are 5.8 grams of protein per ball, which is just a gram short of an egg. If you don't want chocolate, you can choose another protein powder flavor, too, like vanilla, peanut butter, or strawberry. Experiment if you like.
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Energy Balls
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With nine grams of sugar, these bites are pretty low sugar considering the natural sweetness from many of the ingredients. Wheat germ provides more fiber, while cinnamon gives it a spicy kick to complement the vanilla and coconut. Plus, it's ready in just 15 minutes. How speedy is that?
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Carrot Cake Energy Bites
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Love carrot cake but hate all the sugar in a slice? This portion-controlled carrot cake energy ball is decidedly healthier and keeps sugar low, with just nine grams a ball. Made with shredded carrots, old-fashioned oats, cinnamon, dates, and nuts, as well as coconut, it's packed with healthy fats, fiber, antioxidants, and spice.
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Cinnamon Energy Bites
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You almost can't get any lower in sugar than these bites, which only have two grams a serving. And each ball is just 54 calories, so you can totally eat two or three at once. They are great for on-the-go snacking or an easy sweet treat after a meal, and they are even Paleo-friendly. Feel free to swap cashews for a different nut, like almonds, if you like.
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Carrot Cake Freezer Energy Balls
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You'll always have a nutritious, energizing snack on hand with these carrot cake bites. They're made to freeze. Shredded carrots, flax seed meal, and steel-cut oats combine with chopped walnuts, raisins, vanilla extract, ground ginger, cinnamon, peanut butter, and honey.
