If you’ve been following for long, you know I make a LOT of almond butter recipes, like almond butter cups, almond butter cookies, and almond butter brownies. But when I want a recipe that really puts almond butter on center stage, I make these almond butter energy bites. Not only are they easy to make, but they have an unbelievably creamy, rich texture. They’re also packed with protein, making them a great grab-and-go snack to keep the hunger pangs at bay.
Recipe Highlights
3 ingredients. Just almond butter, maple syrup, and coconut flour are all you need. One mixing bowl. This means prep time and clean-up are a breeze. Customizable. Fold in mix-ins, swap the nut butter, or dip the balls in chocolate. The options are endless. Diet-friendly. These balls are vegan, gluten-free, and made without refined sugar. You can even make them low carb by using sugar free maple syrup.
What we love about this recipe is how quickly they come together. All you have to do is combine the ingredients in a big bowl, shape the balls, then let them firm up in the fridge. All in all, that’s less than 10 minutes of hands-on time.
Ingredients (and substitutions)
As I mentioned, you’ll only need 3 ingredients to make these almond balls. Here’s exactly what you’ll need:
Almond butter. Smooth and creamy almond butter with no added sugar. I recommend using good-quality almond butter as this will be the bulk of the recipe. Here’s my tried-and-true recipe for homemade almond butter. Maple syrup. For sweetness. I’ve also used other liquid sweeteners like agave and brown rice syrup, and both work great. Coconut flour. I prefer coconut flour to other types of flour because it absorbs moisture best and will give the almond balls a chewy, cakey bite. Not a fan of coconut flour? Use blanched almond flour or oat flour instead, but keep in mind you may have to add a little extra since they aren’t as absorbent as coconut flour.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
How to make almond butter balls
Step 1- Prep work. Line a large plate or baking sheet with parchment paper. Step 2- Make the batter. In a large mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients and mix until a cohesive batter forms. If the batter is too thick, add a tablespoon or two of milk until thick and smooth. Step 3- Shape. Using your hands, form 40 small balls or 20 large balls of dough and transfer them to the prepared baking sheet. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm.
Recipe tips and variations
Not a fan of almond butter? Make my cashew butter balls or peanut butter balls instead. Make almond butter chocolate balls. Melt chocolate chips until smooth, and dip the refrigerated balls in the chocolate. You’ll want to put them back in the fridge to firm up for an extra 30 minutes (similar to my chocolate peanut butter balls). Add protein. When I want to make heartier, more satisfying energy balls, I’ll swap the coconut flour for vanilla protein powder. Use slightly wet hands. My biggest tip for rolling out no-bake almond butter bites is to use slightly wet or oiled hands. Alternatively, I also like to use my 1-inch cookie scoop. Experiment with mix-ins. Try chopped almonds, chocolate chips, chia seeds, or flaxseeds. Enhance the flavor. Add some flaky sea salt, cocoa powder, or vanilla extract to change the flavor. Adjust the consistency. If the batter appears too thin, I like to add a little extra coconut flour or confectioner’s sugar.
Storage instructions
To store: Store leftover almond butter energy balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week. To freeze: Freeze leftover balls in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Let them thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying.
Frequently asked questions
More simple no-bake dessert recipes to try
Caramel slice– A classic Australian dessert. Unicorn cookies– Fun, easy-to-make cookies perfect for sharing. Healthy cookie dough– An instant sweet tooth fix! Peanut butter mousse– Our current household obsession. Fudge cookies– 4-ingredient cookies full of chocolate goodness.
