Looking for the perfect healthy and energizing snack to get you through all your holiday to-dos? These no-bake Gingerbread Energy Balls have the flavor of freshly baked gingerbread, are packed with energy-boosting ingredients, and are quick and easy to make!
Do you ever forget to eat? I actually do not and don't think I ever could. But my husband does ALL the time.
And I do know what it's like to need to run out the door on an empty stomach and feeling really low on energy.
Energy balls are the perfect solution to those times when you need a quick bite, you need it fast, and you need it to provide you with some energy to get through the rest of the day.
And I feel like those occasions arise most often during the holiday season, when our to-do lists seem to grow to crazy lengths and we're forced to choose between finishing present shopping, attending parties, and baking for gatherings and eating a well-rounded lunch.
That's why I made these gingerbread energy balls. They're packed with gingerbread flavor and so perfect for when you need a quick and easy snack that will provide you with a bit of energy to get you through your day.
What Are Energy Balls?
Energy balls are typically healthy snacks that are packed with heart-healthy ingredients, healthy carbs, protein, and fiber.
There are lots of different ways you can make them — lots of recipes are peanut butter based and lots, like this one, are date based. Many also involve oats, nuts, chia seeds, and more.
Often called energy bites, these little balls are typically incredibly easy to make and super convenient as grab-and-go snacks.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
There are SO many reasons to love this recipe! First of all, these energy balls are ridiculously easy to make. You really just need to process all the ingredients in a food processor or blender, form the mixture into balls, and chill them for a bit.
Then you can keep them in your fridge for about a week (or freeze them) and they'll be ready whenever you need a quick bite.
The ingredients are also mainly pretty healthy and consist of things like dates, oats, nuts, and chia seeds.
Plus, the flavor tastes JUST like freshly baked gingerbread and they'll instantly have you in the holiday spirit, even if you're feeling like a bit of a Scrooge as you're out shopping.
Ingredients
The ingredients in these gingerbread energy balls are all pretty simple; I always have all these items in my kitchen, so I didn't even need to hit up the store.
Here's everything you need:
- Pitted Medjool dates
- Cashews (or nuts of your choice)
- Old-fashioned oats
- Ground ginger
- Ground cinnamon
- Ground allspice
- Ground nutmeg
- Salt
- Chia seeds
- Molasses
- Vanilla extract
- Sprinkles, if desired
SO many good things in these bites!
How to Make Energy Balls
And as I mentioned, the process for making these is incredibly simple.
I recommend using medjool dates for energy balls since they're nice and soft and have a delicious natural sweetness to them.
This recipe is especially great because even if your dates are a little bit dry, adding the molasses in to the mixture will quickly bring all of your ingredients together and make these energy bites nice and moist.
To start, put dates, nuts, and oats in the bowl of a food processor.
Process until crumbly.
Add ginger, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, salt, chia seeds, molasses, and vanilla and process until mixture is well-combined and sticky.
Add sprinkles (if using) and pulse a couple times to combine.
You don't have to add sprinkles to your gingerbread energy balls... But I think it helps add a little bit of fun to an otherwise pretty brown snack.
Scoop mixture out and form golf ball-sized balls. Place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
I recommend chilling the energy balls for at least 30 minutes before enjoying.
And then grab one whenever you're in a rush, on the go, or just want a yummy snack that will keep you powered up through the afternoon.
I went out of town a couple weeks ago and made a batch for my husband to have while I was gone. He's always in a rush in the morning and tends to skip breakfast, but I knew he could at least grab a couple energy bites!
Thanks to all the spices and the molasses, the gingerbread flavor is so bold and delicious in these bites. They taste like gingerbread fresh out of the oven!
Yes, there's natural sugar from the dates and a little bit of molasses in these (OK and sprinkles, too!), these energy bites are truly packed with great-for-you ingredients with protein, fiber, and good-for-you fats (omega-3s!)
How to Store
I recommend keeping the gingerbread energy balls in an airtight container in your fridge — they should keep for about a week.
However, you can certainly keep them at room temperature if you prefer (I do think they're extra delicious chilled!).
You can also keep them in the freezer if you want to have a batch ready any time you need them! They should keep for about 3-4 months and I do recommend thawing them at least a little bit before eating.
More Fun Snack Recipes
If you are as much of a snacker as I am, then you're likely always on the market for new snack recipes! Here are some of my favorites for the holiday season... Some are healthy and some not so much!
- Pumpkin Spice Energy Balls
- Strawberry Funfetti Energy Bites
- Eggnog Granola
- Christmas Party Popcorn
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch Granola
- Lucky Charms Granola Bars
- Oreo Funfetti Popcorn
- Cranberry Hummus with Sage Pita Chips
- Peanut Butter Ritz Cracker Cookies (from Something Swanky)
I don't think I'll ever understand people who don't snack!
But if you're not a snacker, just consider these "breakfast" instead! Gingerbread and coffee is a fabulous combination after all.
With these gingerbread energy balls, something tells me you'll never forget to eat again!
📖 Recipe
Gingerbread Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted Medjool dates (about 9 dates)
- ½ cup cashews (or nuts of your choice)
- ½ cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground allspice
- ⅛ tsp ground nutmeg
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 2 Tbsp chia seeds
- 1 Tbsp molasses
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1-2 Tbsp Sprinkles, if desired
Instructions
- Put dates, nuts, and oats in the bowl of a food processor and process until crumbly.
- Add ginger, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, salt, chia seeds, molasses, and vanilla and process until mixture is well-combined and sticky.
- Add sprinkles (if using) and pulse a couple times to combine.
- Scoop mixture out and form golf ball-sized balls. Place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes before enjoying.
- Keep stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
Notes
- I recommend keeping the gingerbread energy balls in an airtight container in your fridge — they should keep for about a week. You can also keep them in your freezer for 3-4 months.
Nutrition
View Web Story for this recipe.
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