Honey and Oat Energy Balls

Homemade energy balls need no baking: simply mix rolled oats, almond butter or peanut butter and honey, which binds everything together, then add cranberries and seeds. After 30 minutes in the fridge, the mixture rolls easily into around fifteen bites. They are sweet, indulgent snacks, best enjoyed one or two at a time.

Method

1. Chop the cranberries and seeds Roughly chop the cranberries and pumpkin seeds with a knife, so that they spread more evenly through the mixture.
2. Combine almond butter and honey In a mixing bowl, stir the almond butter and honey together with a spatula until smooth and even. If the almond butter is very firm, warm it for a few seconds in a bain-marie.
3. Add the dry ingredients Add the oats, cranberries, all the seeds and the salt. Mix vigorously, then work it with your hands: the mixture should hold together when pressed between your fingers.
4. Adjust the texture If the mixture crumbles, add a teaspoon of almond butter or water; if it is too sticky, add a tablespoon of oats.
5. Chill the mixture Cover the bowl and put it in the fridge for 30 minutes. The mixture firms up and becomes easier to shape.
6. Shape the balls Take portions of about 25 g, or a heaped tablespoon, and roll them between slightly damp palms to form around fifteen balls.
7. Store in the fridge Arrange the energy balls in an airtight container, in a single layer, and keep them in the fridge until you are ready to eat them.

Which honey should you choose?

Mountain honey, mild and lightly caramelised, pairs very well with almond butter and cranberries. Garrigue honey brings a more aromatic note, which works nicely with peanut butter. As the recipe is not cooked, the aromas of the honey stay intact: it is a chance to choose a honey you enjoy on its own. A runny honey mixes in more easily; a creamy honey works too, if you first work it into the almond butter. Our comparison acacia honey or lavender honey helps you spot the mildest honeys.

Tips and variations

• For a finer texture, blitz half the oats for a few seconds before adding them.
• Replace the cranberries with chopped dried apricots, dates or raisins.
• For a chocolate version, add a tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder and a few dark chocolate chips, or roll the balls in desiccated coconut.
• The honey and dried fruit make these bites sweet: enjoy them as a snack or an afternoon treat, one or two at a time, rather than as something to nibble endlessly.
• For a nut-free version, use sunflower seed butter instead of almond butter.

Storage

Energy balls keep for a week in the fridge, in an airtight container. They also freeze very well, for up to a month: let them thaw for 15 minutes at room temperature before eating. Out of the fridge, they soften after a few hours, especially in hot weather. For more teatime ideas, try our chocolate and honey cupcakes or browse all our honey recipes.

Frequently asked questions

Why won’t my energy balls hold together?

The mixture lacks binder or has not rested long enough in the cold. Add a little almond butter or a teaspoon of water, work it with your hands, then leave the mixture in the fridge for 30 minutes before rolling the balls.

Can you make energy balls without peanut butter?

Yes. Almond, hazelnut or cashew butter works in the same way. To avoid nuts, sunflower seed butter is a good alternative.

How many energy balls should you eat a day?

One or two are enough for a snack. They contain honey and dried fruit, and therefore sugars, as well as nut butters that are high in fat: it is best to think of them as a treat rather than something to eat freely.

Can children eat honey energy balls?

Yes, from one year old, making the balls smaller and avoiding whole seeds for the youngest children. Honey must never be given to a child under one year old, because of the risk of infant botulism.