Oatmeal Raisin Energy Balls (Healthy and No-Bake)
Servings: 16 balls
- 1 cup (100 g) rolled oats
- ¾ packed cup (130 g) dates pitted – Medjool for softer, fudgier energy balls; Deglet Noor for a firmer, less sweet texture.
- ½ cup (75 g) raisins regular or golden raisins
- ½ cup (125 g) almond butter or peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
- Make the mixture: Add ¾ packed cup dates (pitted), ½ cup almond butter, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 pinch salt to a food processor. Blend for 1 to 2 minutes until the dates break down into a thick paste.Add 1 cup rolled oats and ½ cup raisins and pulse a few times until combined.The mixture should be slightly coarse and hold together when squeezed in your hand. If it's too dry, add a little more almond butter and pulse again.
- Shape the energy balls: Scoop about 1½ tablespoons of the mixture into your hand. Squeeze it firmly a few times until it sticks together, then gently roll it into a ball.Enjoy right away or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Substitutions
- Rolled oats → Quick oats for a softer texture, or certified gluten-free rolled oats. Don't use steel-cut oats.
- Raisins → Dried cranberries, chopped dried cherries, currants, or golden raisins.
- Dates → Medjool dates for softer, fudgier energy balls, or Deglet Noor dates for a firmer, less sweet texture. If the mixture seems dry, blend in a little extra nut butter.
- Almond butter → Peanut butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter.
- Cinnamon → Pumpkin pie spice, apple pie spice, or a pinch of nutmeg.
- Vanilla extract → Omit it or swap with a little orange zest.
- Pick your favorite dates: Medjool dates make softer, fudgier balls; Deglet Noor dates make them firmer and less sweet.
- Don't overprocess: Pulse the oats just until combined to keep a nice chewy texture.
- Squeeze before rolling: The mixture sticks together from pressure, not rolling.
- Test with your hands: If the mixture holds together when squeezed, it's ready—even if it looks crumbly.
- Too dry? Blend in a little extra almond butter or peanut butter.
- Use soft dates: Fresh, moist dates bind the mixture more easily.
- Keep some raisin texture: A few chunky pieces make the energy balls more interesting.
- Chill for firmer balls: 30 minutes in the fridge helps them hold their shape.
- Store properly: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.
