2 min read

Almond and Date Energy Balls

Overhead shot of Almond and Date Energy Balls plated appetizingly in a wooden board
High FiberPrebioticVeganNo Bake
Prep Time15 min
Cook Time30 min
Total Time45 min
Servings12 balls

Skip the packaged snack bars with the ingredient list you can't pronounce. These come together in 15 minutes with no oven required, and every ingredient earns its place: dates deliver soluble fiber and natural sweetness, while almonds and oats together supply prebiotic fiber, healthy fats, and beta-glucan. Keep a batch in the fridge for whenever hunger hits between meals. If you're building more plant-based snacks into your routine, see whether a vegan diet improves gut health.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted (about 12-14)
  • 1 cup raw almonds
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 2 tbsp almond or peanut butter
  • 1 tbsp chia seeds
  • 1 tbsp raw cacao powder (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • Desiccated coconut, cacao powder, or crushed nuts to roll in

Instructions

  1. If dates are not soft, soak in warm water for 10 minutes, then drain.
  2. Add almonds and oats to a food processor. Pulse until roughly chopped, not flour; you want texture.
  3. Add dates, nut butter, chia seeds, cacao powder, vanilla, and salt. Process until the mixture comes together into sticky dough. If too dry, add a teaspoon of water at a time.
  4. Roll tablespoon-sized portions into balls.
  5. Roll each ball in desiccated coconut, cacao, or crushed nuts.
  6. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition Facts (per ball)

Calories 138
Total fat 7g
Total carbohydrates 18g
Dietary fiber 3g
Protein 3g
Sodium 20mg

Why This Is Good for Your Gut

Dates contain sorbitol and soluble fiber that feeds beneficial bacteria. Almonds are a prebiotic food shown to increase Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in clinical trials. Oat beta-glucan adds further prebiotic fiber. Chia seeds contribute omega-3 fatty acids and mucilaginous soluble fiber.

Keep a batch in the freezer too. They thaw in about ten minutes, so a gut-friendly snack is never more than a short wait away. For variations on the same idea, try coconut almond energy bites or prune and walnut energy bites.

This recipe is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional dietary advice.

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