January 21, 2016 — last updated April 5, 2016by Jennie 18 comments »
These Almond Joy Energy Balls should really be changed to Almond Joy Snack Balls, because they’re great for popping when you have a fierce craving for chocolate but want to maintain a wholesome diet.
I’m kind of obsessed with energy balls. I’ve made several versions in the past (Cherry Pie, Peanut Butter Oat, Chocolate Chip…), and they are by far my most popular recipes, so I’m guessing you’re a bit smitten with energy balls as well. Hey, we have something in common!
What’s not to love, really? They’re sweet, wholesome, and, in this case, gluten-free and vegan. They’re the very definition of the phrase “snack happy,” because not only are you happy as you pack them into your mouth like an acorn-loving squirrel, but you’re body is jumping for joy at the thought of not having to chew on processed food. Everybody wins!
I’ve been known to make a batch of energy balls, and then proceed to eat said batch in t-minus 2 days. When I know I have a batch in stock and ready to go, that’s all I can think about. The good thing about healthy, wholesome snacks is that you can eat, and eat, and eat some more without having to feel guilty. Not that I routinely feel guilty about the food I eat, but you get my point.
These chocolate-y balls are rich in protein and fiber, and that’s all thanks to Bob’s Red Mill. I used a combination of their Almond Flour and Golden Flaxseed Meal in this recipe. These decadent balls wouldn’t be considered almond joy without the addition of coconut and chocolate, so I toasted some coconut and added chocolate in two different forms, cocoa powder and antioxidant rich dark chocolate.
To keep these energy balls healthy and wholesome, I sweetened them with pure maple syrup and a handful of dates.
Pop away, friends!
Print Recipe
Almond Joy Energy Balls
This healthy version of the famous chocolate bar is guilt-free snacking. They’re rich in protein, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Yield: 18-20 energy balls
Total Time: 15 minutes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cupold-fashioned oats
- 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
- 1/3 cup almond flour (such as Bob’s Red Mill)
- 1 cup shredded coconut, toasted
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 ounces dark chocolate, roughly chopped
- heaping 1/2 cup pitted dates
- 1 cup almond butter
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions:
- Add the oats to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse 4-5 times to break up the oats.
- Add the flaxseed meal, almond flour, shredded coconut, cocoa powder, dark chocolate, and dates to the food processor. Pulse until mixture looks like wet sand. Add the remaining ingredients to the food processor and pulse until mixture begins to form a dough-like ball.
- Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls, pressing the dough together in the palm of your hand as you roll.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
1. For a gluten-free version of these energy balls, use certified gluten-free old-fashioned oats in place of regular oats.
2. To keep these energy balls vegan, use vegan-friendly cocoa powder and chocolate.
All images and text ©One Sweet Mess.
Whipping up one of my recipes? I wanna know about it! Snap a photo and tag your post with #onesweetmess on Twitter or Instagram. Seeing your creations come to life makes my day!
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Bob’s Red Mill. All opinions are 100% my own.
Categories: , Healthy Appetite
originally published on Jan 21, 2016 (last updated Apr 5, 2016) by Jennie
18 comments Leave a comment »
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Julia — Reply
Yuuuuuuhs I need these balls o’ energy ee’ry dang day!! I’m all about the coconutty almond joy flave and already have all the ingredients on hand. Must make these pronto!
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Aggie @ Aggie's Kitchen — Reply
I have been wanting to make energy balls, these look amazing! Almond Joy is my favorite :)
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Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction — Reply
I would love to have a batch of these on hand to snack on in the afternoon!
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Ashley@CookNourishBliss — Reply
Me, me! I love energy balls too! There’s just something about them. This flavor is awesome!
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Sam @ PancakeWarriors — Reply
Almond Joys are seriously my favorite!! I’m all about making homemade energy balls, and this and the cherry pie omg!
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Cookin Canuck — Reply
Energy ball are the best snack after a workout, and I can tell you that these would disappear very quickly in our house!
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Lauren @ Healthy Delicious — Reply
Craving for chocolate? That’s the story of my life! I can’t wait to try these. Almond Joy is my weakness!
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Carla — Reply
I could definitely use a bowl of these energy balls when I hit my afternoon slumps during work.
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Courtney @ NeighborFood — Reply
I need these pretty much every afternoon at 2:30 AM. Almond joy is my favorite!
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Kayle (The Cooking Actress) — Reply
yeahhh I’m all about snacks that are tasty, easy, AND healthy! and these look chocolatey coconutty deliiiicous!
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Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons — Reply
Haha, right! When I make homemade energy balls, they’re so yummy that I just pop them constantly for like two days, then they’re gone. I wish I could show some restraint, but eh. Chocolate + coconut is one of my favorite ever flavor combinations, so the chances of me showing any restraint with these guys would be less than minimal ;)
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Susan — Reply
Sold! There’s chocolate and almond and it’s healthy. You don’t have to say much else to convince me.