Delicious Lemon Pie Energy Balls for Quick and Healthy Snacks

 

Here I am today with another delicious quick, easy and healthy snack recipe for the family. Lemon Pie Energy Balls.  Guilt free, simple to make and using all natural ingredients and natural sugars this energy ball recipe gives you a snack that is loaded with protein, nutrition and natural sugars.

You can feel good about feeding these to your family. They are high in fiber and nutrition, and they taste really delicious!

My sister and I have been trying out all sorts of energy balls this year in an attempt to curb our snacking on dangerous things like potato chips and cake. I know, that is a tall order as both of those things are just so darned tasty!  I am only human. I do enjoy cake and potato chips are my favorite food group.

 

And there is nothing wrong with having either of those things occasionally, but if you are wanting to reach for a snack that is nutritionally loaded and filled with natural rather than highly processed sugars, then energy balls are the way to go.

You can make up a variety of them and keep then in the freezer, ready to take out when the craving hits. right now, I have these, Gingerbread balls and some Strawberry Cream balls sitting in my freezer, ready and waiting for my snacking cravings to kick in.

You do need a food processor to make them. A heavy duty one will grind up the nuts and dried fruit much more easily. I have a Ninja 1000 watt one and it makes short work of the process. I really love it and can highly recommend it. It has no bells and whistles. It is just a simple food processor.  That's all I need.

 

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE LEMON PIE ENERGY BALLS

Only six ingredients (lemon zest and juice count as one) and a food processor required.  Easy peasy lemon squeezy. No pun intended.

• 1 cup (150g) pitted medjool dates
• 1 cup (111g) raw cashew nuts
• 1/4 cup (20g) unsweetened desiccated coconut
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• the finely grated zest of one lemon
• the juice of 1/2 lemon

You will also need:

• additional unsweetened desiccated coconut to roll the balls in

 

Cashews and dates are not cheap ingredients for sure. I tend to stock up on them when they are on offer.  The last time I bought raw cashew nuts (not roasted or salted) I got a huge bag for $24 which was $5 off the normal price. It will last a long time. I usually store my nuts in the freezer.

Make sure your coconut is unsweetened.  You can do it with sweetened coconut but this will reduce the health benefits of the balls.

I make my own vanilla extract from scratch. It has only two ingredients. Vanilla Beans and Vodka. It also lasts a long time.

Scrub your lemons really well before you use them to get rid of any debris or dirt on them.

 

HOW TO MAKE LEMON PIE ENERGY BALLS

Nothing could be easier. A food processor makes these energy balls quick and very simple to make.

Place all of your ingredients into the bowl of a high-power food processor. Process on high, pulsing as needed, until a dough forms. Stop periodically to scrape down the sides.

Carefully remove the blade of the food processor and then roll the dough into 12 evenly sized balls between the palms of your hands. I find slightly wetting my hands helps this process. 

 

Roll the balls in additional coconut.  I put only a small amount in a bowl and then topped it up as needed so as not to waste too much coconut at the end.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.  You can also freeze these in a covered container. They will keep for several months. You can also eat them right from the freezer. (Just saying!) It will take you longer to eat one frozen than not frozen. 

 

WHY YOU NEED TO MAKE ENERGY BALLS

1. They are quick and easy to make, requiring only a few steps and minimal effort.

2.  They are loaded with flavor and nutrients and are quite versatile. They can very easily be customized by adding different flavors or rolling them in different ingredients.

3. They are perfect for tucking into lunch boxes. Perfectly portable and they won't spoil if kept unrefrigerated all day.

4. They are a much healthier snack option than cookies, cakes or potato chips and promise just as much when it comes to snacking satisfaction. At least for me anyways!

5. They satisfy the craving without leading you to overindulge. These are practically guilt free.

 

I really am enjoying these. I keep them in the freezer and only take a few out at a time so that they last longer. They really do taste a bit like lemon pie, minus the meringue.  There is a beautiful tartness and a nice sweet that goes along very nicely.  

It's nice to know that when I am craving something sweet there is something a bit healthier than chocolate or cake that I can reach for!

 

Here are a few more snacks that you might enjoy making for your family. The first one is healthier than the second one for sure, but both are incredibly tasty and simple to make.  

NO BAKE LEMON COCONUT BALLS - Little bites of heaven. No bake. No fuss. No muss. Fairly healthy, and using only a few simple ingredients. These tasty little lemon balls melt in the mouth.

PEANUT BUTTER CUP RITZ CRACKERS - Two simple ingredients, put together in the simplest and most delicious way! Yes, only two ingredients.  Easy to make and oh-so-tasty. These are really popular!

Yield: One Dozen balls

Author: Marie Rayner

Lemon Pie Energy Balls

Prep time: 5 MinTotal time: 5 Min

Delicious little snack balls that are easy to make and require no cooking. High in fiber and containing only natural ingredients. You will need a food processor to make these tasty treats! Time noted does not include the time it will take to roll the dough into balls.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (150g) pitted medjool dates
• 1 cup (111g) raw cashew nuts
• 1/4 cup (20g) unsweetened desiccated coconut
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• the finely grated zest of one lemon
• the juice of 1/2 lemon

You will also need:

• additional unsweetened desiccated coconut to roll the balls in

Instructions

1. Place all of your ingredients into the bowl of a high power food processor. Process on high, pulsing as needed, until a dough forms. Stop periodically to scrape down the sides.
2. Carefully remove the blade of the food processor and then roll the dough into 12 evenly sized balls between the palms of your hands.
3. Roll the balls in additional coconut.
4. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

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