No-Bake Keto Energy Balls (aka Cookie Balls!)

Introducing No Bake Keto Energy Balls, or what my kids call Cookie Balls! A low-carb snack that’s packed with tons of protein, fat, and superfoods. Great for kids or adults of all ages!

What Makes This Recipe Great

These keto energy balls are one of my kid’s favorite snacks. In our house, they’re called cookie balls! So much healthier than a cookie, with no baking required! Plus, they’re only 6 grams of net carbs per serving, full of flavor, and filling snack that I feel good giving to them.

These little morsels are packed with tons of protein, fat, and superfoods. A guilt-free way to give the kids (or mom!) a treat that’s full of all the good stuff!

Watch the Recipe Video

Ingredient Notes

• Nut or Seed Butter: My favorite nut butter to use is my mixed nut butter. So delicious! But any nut butter works, cashew butter, almond butter, etc. Always get a nut butter that has just nuts and salt. If it has added oil (especially palm oil), the nut butter doesn’t set up properly when using it for these keto energy balls. Similarly, if using peanut butter, find a “no-stir” option.
• Rolled Oats
• Collagen Peptides: You can really use any protein powder. Just keep in mind if it’s a flavored protein powder (like chocolate), this will alter the taste. My go-to protein powder is collagen peptides. This is also optional. If you don’t have any protein powder you can just leave this out. No need to substitute anything else.
• Sliced Almonds
• Coconut Flakes: Use unsweetened so there’s no additional sugar.
• Maple Syrup: You need to use a “wet” sweetener for these since it helps bind them and keep them moist. My favorite is pure maple syrup. I get mine at Costco. You could also use honey unless you have a baby under 1 year old since honey is recommended to avoid until the baby is 1. Agave would work too! Or date paste. Adjust the sweetness to taste, if desired.
• Chia Seeds, Hemp Hearts & Flax Meal: All 3 of these are superfoods, and contain tons of fiber and antioxidants! You’ll be using a total of 6 tablespoons of these add-ins. If you only have 1 or 2 of them, for instance just chia seeds and hemp hearts but no flax meal, just use 3 tablespoons of chia seeds and hemp hearts to reach the 6 tablespoons needed.
• Coconut Oil
• Chocolate Chips: My very favorite dark chocolate to use is Hu Kitchen Dark Chocolate Gems. They have the BEST ingredients list! Code TASTESLOVELY for 15% off.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to your food processor. Pulse for 30-60 seconds until chopped and combined.
2. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Measure out 1 tablespoons balls (or larger if preferred!), and roll into balls. Place on the baking sheet. If preferred, you can use a small cookie scoop for this.
4. Refrigerate the balls for at least 30 minutes until firmed up. Then transfer to an airtight container.
5. Will keep in the fridge for at least 2 weeks, or in the freezer for at least 1 year.

Tips, Tricks, & Substitutions

• Nut Free: If you need this to be nut free, be sure to use sunflower seed butter or coconut butter. And substitute sunflower seeds for sliced almonds. Same quantity for all substitutions.
• Coconut-Free: If you need this to be coconut free, you can leave out the coconut flakes. Substitute either more oats or more nuts. And use avocado oil or ghee for coconut oil. Same quantity for all quantities.
• Vanilla Extract: I don’t add any vanilla in my recipe, but if you want you can add a teaspoon.
• Vegan/Plant Based: If you need these to be vegan, dairy-free, and plant-based, make sure you use a vegan/plant-based protein powder. Keep in mind that flavored protein powders will alter the taste a bit.
• Gluten-Free: Make sure you get gluten-free rolled oats to keep these keto energy balls gluten-free.
• Sticky: The mixture is a bit sticky, so get ready to have some sticky hands! You can also wet your hands to make it a bit less messy when rolling the dough.
• Eating + Traveling: You can eat this cold from the fridge, they get a bit harder when cold. They’re a little too hard to eat frozen from the freezer. They’re also fine to pack in lunches and be at room temperature. They get softer and a bit stickier when at room temperature. But still delicious!
• Baby Food: Since I chop them in the food processor, it’s a perfect, super healthy baby food! My baby Luke is 7 months and he loves these things! As always, make sure you contact your pediatrician to make sure these ingredients are right for your baby.

Storage Tips

• Store these keto energy balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
• To freeze, store them in a freezer-safe ziptop bag in the freezer for up to 1 year. Pop them in the fridge to defrost before eating.

Recipe FAQs

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