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These Beet Energy Balls are bursting with delicious, energizing nutrition to get you going the whole day! With a hearty serving of veggies, these unBEETable bite-size goodies will become your next favorite on-the-go snack. They’re quick and easy, no-bake, 100% vegan, gluten-free possible, and are chockful of energy-boosting nutrients, fiber, and protein.
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Why You’ll Love this Beetroot Energy Balls Recipe
If you need a boost of energy, look no further than these no-bake, easy-to-make beet energy balls. All you need to do is blitz the ingredients together, form into balls, and freeze! Even your kids can do it, which is perfect because kids love these. They’re a great addition to school lunches or as a midday pick-me-up!
The use of wholesome oats, beets, and dates gives plenty of nutrients, while vegan chocolate chips, peanuts, shredded coconuts, and cinnamon make them addictingly delicious (while being refined sugar-free)! You won’t even know the superfood of beets are hiding in there. Plus, the nitrates in beets are known to enhance athletic performance, making them great as a pre-workout treat!
The best part? Something this nutritious and delicious is not only easy, but budget-friendly! Most of the ingredients are pantry-staples, and a batch of these beetroot energy balls can cost way less than store-bought energy bars or specialty snacks. And if you have a picky-eater, or want to switch things up, there’s all sorts of ways to customize these to your liking!
Ingredients for Healthy Energy Balls
- Beets: Cooked and chopped. Not only do they add excellent health benefits to the energy balls, but they also provide moisture that will bind the balls together and keep them from crumbling. ½ of a can of cooked beets would work in place of a cooked beet.
- Pitted dates: Are used as a natural sweetener and also aid in keeping the structure of the energy balls.
- Peanuts: Give the treats a salty crunch! You can use different kinds of nuts that you have, like almonds, walnuts, cashews, or macadamia. If you want this nut-free, you can use seeds instead.
- All-purpose flour: The base of the dough. You can also use whole wheat or almond flour (gluten-free option).
- Shredded coconut: Adds a nutty flavor and chewy texture. You can use desiccated coconut too.
- Vegan chocolate chips: Use dark chocolate if you prefer it less sweet. If you do not have these, you can use any regular vegan chocolate blocks and crumble them into smaller pieces.
- Oats: Use quick or instant oats only for this recipe . This healthy breakfast fave makes the dough base more compact. Make sure they’re labeled gluten-free, if needed.
- Cinnamon: A teaspoon of this warm and savory spice will liven up the flavor.
- Cocoa or cacao powder: This is optional but is great for those who like their snacks extra dark, strong chocolatey flavor.
How to Make Energy Balls
Step 1: First, using a food processor, chop the beets and dates into very small pieces. Then add the rest of the ingredients and blitz until you get a thick dough. In the process, pause to scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula to make sure that everything is incorporated well.
Step 2: Once mixed, get a small portion and roll into a bite-size ball. You should be able to make 10 to 12 mini balls, depending on the size. Then you can coat them with coconut flakes or cocoa powder (if using). Finally, place the beetroot energy balls in a pan and freeze until they harden.
Toni’s Tips for Making No-Bake Energy Balls
- The beets are very moist, so it is crucial to have plenty of oats or flour as a base to absorb some of that moisture.
- If the dough is too sticky, add more flour or oats to make it less so. You can also refrigerate the dough first to make them easier to shape. On the other hand, if it has become too dry, adding pureed beets will help.
- Use a cookie scoop if you have one to make it easier to make the balls. However, using your hands work well too. Grease your hand lightly with oil when shaping the dough into beet energy balls to prevent them from sticking too much.
- Place wax or parchment paper on the pan or plate before adding the beetroot energy balls to make it easier to remove them later.
- Aside from shredded coconut and cocoa powder, you can have fun coating these beet balls with other goodies! Try using colorful sprinkles, crushed nuts, crushed vegan cookies, crushed vegan candies, melted vegan chocolate, or dried berries.
- Place the beet energy balls in colorful cupcake liners and place them in a nice box, and you have a nice thoughtful present to give to your friends and loved ones!
Storage Instructions for Beet Energy Balls
Once the Beet Energy Balls have firmed up in the freezer, you can start munching on them! Do not leave them out, especially when warm, because they will soften.
Fridge: If you have any leftovers, place them in a airtight container in the fridge. They should be good for up to five days.
More No-Bake, Easy, Healthy Snacks
Vegan Desserts
Peanut Butter Stuffed Dates
Vegan Desserts
No-Bake Peanut Butter Cups
Vegan Desserts
3-Ingredient Chocolate Coconut Balls
If you tried this beet energy balls recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks!
Photos by Alfonso Revilla
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Beet Energy Balls
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Ingredients
- 1 medium cooked beet
- ¾ cup of pitted dates
- ½ cup of peanuts
- ½ cup of all-purpose flour whole wheat, or almond flour
- ⅓ cup of shredded coconut
- ¼ cup of vegan chocolate chips
- ½ cup of oats
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 1 Tablespoon of cocoa or cacao powder optional
Instructions
- Combine beets and dates in a food processor until chopped very small. Add all other ingredients one at a time and process until a thick 'dough' forms.
- Roll into 18-20 balls, coat with more coconut or dust with cacao powder (if using), and place into the freezer until hardened.
Notes
- The beets are very moist, so it is crucial to have plenty of oats or flour as a base to absorb some of that moisture.
- If the dough is too sticky, add more flour or oats to make it less so. You can also refrigerate the dough first to make them easier to shape. On the other hand, if it has become too dry, adding pureed beets will help.
- Use a cookie scoop if you have one to make it easier to make the balls. However, using your hands work well too. Grease your hand lightly with oil when shaping the dough into beet energy balls to prevent them from sticking too much.
- Place wax or parchment paper on the pan or plate before adding the beetroot energy balls to make it easier to remove them later.
- Aside from shredded coconut and cocoa powder, you can have fun coating these beet balls with other goodies! Try using colorful sprinkles, crushed nuts, crushed vegan cookies, crushed vegan candies, melted vegan chocolate, or dried berries.
- Place the beet energy balls in colorful cupcake liners and place them in a nice box, and you have a nice thoughtful present to give to your friends and loved ones!
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Very delicious!!! Question. after freezer then what? can we leave them in freezer and grab some energy balls from time to time?
Beets are great for athletes. I will have to make these for my son when he is bmx racing!
Yess! Hope he enjoys them!
I never would’ve thought to add beets to energy balls but makes such great sense!
It’s a great way to add an extra bit of nutrients to the mix! So good!
same here!
Great way to make my kid eat beets!
Definitely! They camouflage so nicely!
Such an interesting way to use beets! Gotta try this.
You’re going to love them! They’re so good!
These look so delicious & festive 😊
Right?! So colorful and nutritious in so many ways!
I’m not a huge beet fan, but this recipe looks so tempting!
It might just change your mind 🙂
I love “hidden veggies” sweets and these energy balls are truly exceptional. Perfect for kids!
Same! They’re a great way to enjoyably sneak them in!
i love the addition of beets and dates. The DD loved it!
Yay! So glad! Such an epic combo!
Those will be perfect for my little one! She loves peanuts, dates, and coconuts! Thank you!
Wohoo! Hope she likes them 🙂
Loving these energy balls! Such a great snack!
Been on the hunt for new beet recipes!
These are so easy and everyone loves them. Love the use of the beet.
Love an easy and nutritious recipe!
Such a healthy and delicious snack!