Bursting with citrus flavor, these Lemon Energy Balls make the perfect snack. Made with just 5 ingredients, they’re gluten-free, paleo-friendly and perfect for stashing in the fridge or freezer!
Hi Friends!
Lately I’ve been loving energy balls for an afternoon snack. I was on a chocolate kick for a while…pretty sure I ate at least 4 entire batches of these No-Bake Peppermint Chocolate Bites (sans candy cane) all by myself in December. To kick off the new year, I decided it was time to change things up. These lemon balls are about as far from chocolate as you can get while still being considered the same kind of snack.
Sometimes I forget how much I love lemon-flavored things! They’re so light and refreshing. These little bites of lemony goodness are made with just a few simple ingredients but they’re packed with lemon flavor! If you’re looking for some extra protein, I bet some vanilla protein powder would make a great addition.
Here’s how you make them:
PrintLemon Energy Balls
Bursting with citrus flavor, these Lemon Energy balls make the perfect snack. Made with just 5 ingredients, they’re gluten-free, paleo-friendly and perfect for stashing in the fridge or freezer!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 14 balls 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup medjool dates, pitted and chopped
- 1 cup almonds
- 1/2 cup pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds)
- 2 Tbsp chia seeds
- zest and juice from a medium lemon
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, optional
Instructions
- Put dates, nuts and seeds in a food processor and pulse several times to chop.
- Add the lemon juice, zest and vanilla and process until mixture comes together.
- Form into balls and store in the fridge or freezer. (I made 14 balls).
Doesn’t get much easier than that does it? I store mine in the freezer. They don’t get super hard, so you don’t have to wait for them to thaw before eating, but it keeps them nice and cold. I’m sure they’d also be fine if you stored them in the fridge.
[Tweet “Stock your freezer with these Lemon Energy Balls from @leangrnbeanblog for snack time!”]
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–
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It’s weird but I always crave lemon things in January. Maybe it balances out the chocolate overload of December. Or craving sunshine? These definitely fit the bill!
probably a little of both 🙂
Love them. I made them for my sister with diabetes and my fiend tried and loved them so much she makes them regularly for her grand-daughter as dessert.
I agree- sometimes I forget how delicious lemon everything is- works for savory and sweet! Lemon bars are my favorite non chocolate dessert so I think these would be a good way to enjoy a lemon dessert without all the added sugar!
yes! i’ve been snacking on them post-dinner as well!
yum! these sound great! they remind me of the lemon larabars!
i didn’t even know they had those! i bet they’re similar!
Easy, light, and lemony! My perfect snack! So refreshing for the new year! 🙂
Lemon= amazing, forgotten amazing flavor that needs some love! I always have some laying around for my green juice so I just might have to give this a spin for a quick snack!
perfect!
I am obsessed with citrus and lemon energy balls are pretty much my favorite!! These look fantastic.
thanks maryea! they’re my new fav!
I need these post workout
Can you make these in a blender instead of a food processor? I do not own a food processor.
you could try! if you have a high-powered blender it might work!
This is such a unique recipe. Something I never would have thought to make. Thanks for the idea.
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Yum! Love Lemon anything – need to try these!!
hope they’re a hit in your house!
How much protein powder would add to this recipe? These would be wonderful on my 5 mile hikes for a snack.
you’ll have to experiment. You could try one scoop. if they don’t seem to stick together, you may need to add a little extra liquid – some milk or even a little water should work!
These look delicious! I totally pinned them and am going to try them out.
thanks!! enjoy!
These sound and look so tasty and yet quite simple to make! What a fun and fresh way to make a treat that is healthy as well. Thank you for posting this and have a lovely January!
thanks! you too!
I’m not big on lemon flavored treats, but this recipe is something I could get behind. The zest sounds perfect for energy balls! Thank you for the recipe!
let me know if you try them!!
Those look amazing!!!!
thanks jody!
Yes please! I have been looking for an energy ball that doesn’t have chocolate or peanut butter to cut on some calories but still would have lots of flavor. I love lemon! Must give these a try.
oh yay! hope you like them!
I’m a sucker for all things energy balls – so you betcha I just pinned and bookmarked these! Love the ingredients and can’t wait to pack in as much lemon flavour as possible when I make these 🙂
hope you love them!
my go to recently is also energy balls..they are really like eating candy (although my boyfriend doesnt agree). i will be sure to whip this one next time 🙂
lemon is one of my favorite flavors – I know I’d love these!
Yum! I LOVE lemon anything too! And snack balls are the best!
Do you have any suggestions to replace the almonds as my son has an allergy to nuts?(to sunflower seeds as well)
Thanks for your help!
you could try adding some hemp seeds or shredded coconut…or more pumpkin seeds and chia seeds?
what is the calorie count and sugar grams
I don’t have that info but you could put the recipe into my fitness pal to find out!
So the almonds are raw or roasted?
i use raw almonds
These look amazing and I can’t wait to try to make them! What do you normally store these in when you put them in the freezer? Thanks!
These are delicious! What a nice treat with my afternoon tea.
I did a recipe breakdown in Fitness Pal and they average about 100 calories each, 4.5 g. fat, 13 g. carbs, 3 g. protein. I made 16 rather than 14 balls, so this varies a little from the recipe given.
I have subbed in whatever nut/seed combination we have on hand after the store was out of pumpkin seeds. Kids surprisingly love them no matter the combo. Thanks!
awesome! Squish loves them too!
Most of these call for dates, I’m allergic to dates, would raisins be a suitable replacement?
i’m not sure. I think they might be a bit too sticky…but you could try…maybe add in some oats or something too.
Hi! What would you recommend as a substitute for chia seeds? I’m pretty sure they make me super tired. Thanks!
Mia
you could probably leave them out! if you want some extra seeds you could add some hemp hearts or sunflower seeds but it might change the flavor a little bit.
Just made these and they are delicious. Even my hard to please 10 year old (son) loves them.
Thanks so much for sharing!!!
so glad to hear it!
Original idea for an energy ball! A bit sticky, so could use something to roll them in as a final touch, but flavours are really complementary! Thanks 🙂
These are absolutely super!!! I’ve just discovered I have a whole list of food intolerances, and these are great because I can actually have them as opposed to drooling over the recipe like with the chocolate mint ones :-DD