Super easy and incredibly healthy, these Apricot Energy Balls with oats are vegan, packed with plant-based nutrients to keep you energized all day long and totally delicious! Just 10 minutes prep time and completely no-bake… simply mix, roll and enjoy!
There is no cooking involved; all the ingredients are raw and are easily whizzed together in the bowl of a food processor. They are not as sweet as energy balls made with dates but equally delicious. The combination of apricots, coconut and coconut is light, fresh and slightly tangy.
Most energy ball recipes contain dates for their natural sweetness however these healthy apricot energy balls without dates are sweetened with luscious dried apricots and coconut instead! In Australia and New Zealand, energy balls are called bliss balls.
Are Apricot Energy Balls good for you?
They certainly are! Made with raw and natural ingredients, homemade energy balls are naturally sweetened and you know exactly what’s in them – no unnecessary additives, colourings or flavourings! All that gorgeous orange colour is totally natural coming from the apricots and carrots!
Yes, they contain sugar from fruits – mostly fructose and glucose from refined sugar-free sweeteners. Both raise your blood sugar level quickly giving you a boost of energy.
The recipe also contains oats and nuts, the fiber and fat from these ingredients slow down the release of the natural sugar, keeping your energy level stable for longer.
Ingredients:
● Dried Apricot – the ones I used were soft and moist, and therefore, I didn’t ’t need to soak them but if yours seem dry you can presoak them in boiled water for 5 minutes and drain them before use. As well as being low in calories, apricots are a great source of antioxidants, including beta carotene, vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin C.
● Carrots – these give natural sweetness to the apricot energy balls, these will also help in making them moist as carrots have high water content. You will also get a great dose of fiber, beta-carotene, and potassium.
● Nuts – I used cashew nuts but you can use your favorites like almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, pecans, cashews or macadamia nuts for this recipe.
● Oats – will give a chewy texture and make the energy balls more filling as they release energy slowly. Use a gluten-free brand if needed. You can use quick oats or old-fashioned oats.
● Vanilla extract – This just adds to the sweetness and taste of the mixture.
● Cinnamon – you can use any spice you like but I love cinnamon in everything, it just adds so much flavour.
● Desiccated coconut: this is used for coating the energy balls. It needs to be dessicated coconut as other types are too coarse to stick to the energy balls. You can also coat them with other toppings like chopped pistachios or almond flour.
How to make Apricot Energy Balls
Cut the the carrots into chunk. Put carrots, apricots, oats, nuts, a pinch of salt, cinnamon and vanilla in a food processor or high-speed blender and process until you have a fine mixture which holds together and is moist.
You really do need a food processor or a strong blender to blitz up these ingredients.
After blending the mixture, take a small amount, press it together between your fingers to check if it can be pressed into balls. If the mixture is too crumbly, add a small amount of water to bind it together. Add more if necessary.
If the carrots make the mixture too mushy, add more ground oats or almond flour or coconut flour until you get the perfect consistency. You can also add some vegan protein powder to make protein balls! Use a light hand when shaping the balls to make sure you do not make them too compact especially when you are planning to freeze them.
Forming Apricot Energy Balls
Now, scoop about one tablespoon of batter and roll the mixture into balls between your hand palm.
Use a light hand when shaping the balls to make sure you do not make them too compact especially when you are planning to freeze them.
The mixture will make about eighteen energy balls.
Roll each apricot energy bite into some desiccated coconut to coat. You can also coat the balls with crushed pistachio or almond flour.
Repeat until no more batter is left. Place each energy ball on a plate.
Refrigerate for 15 minutes before eating for the best flavors and texture.
This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled – that way you can pop a batch straight into the freezer before they’re all gone!
Storing Apricot Energy Balls
To store the Apricot energy balls, place them in an air-tight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
To freeze, place them in a freezer-friendly bag or container separated with parchment paper. You can also wrap them up individually with clingwrap before freezing so they do not stick together. They can also be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Once removed from the freezer, energy balls will defrost quite quickly, so they can be placed into lunchboxes directly from the freezer and they’ll be ready just in time for a morning tea or lunchtime snack.
Did you make this recipe? Take a pic and share it on Instagram with the hashtag #aveggiecooks and tag @aveggiecooks__. I would love to see it!
Apricot Energy Balls
Equipment
- High speed blender or food processor
Ingredients
- 100 gm Dried Apricots, soaked in hot water if not soft
- 150 gm Carrots, sliced
- 70 gm Oats
- 100 gm Cashew nuts or any type
- 1 Pinch Salt
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
- 2 Tablespoons Dessicated coconut
Instructions
- Place all ingredients except the coconut in a high speed blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
- If the mixture is too dry add a little water to bind it and if it is too wet add a little almond flour.
- Roll into eighteen balls and roll the balls in the coconut to coat.
- Enjoy!
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