Vegan Energy Balls with coconut, pecans and Masala Spice, a simple, tasty vegan and gluten-free snack that can be made in 10 minutes!
Meet my new little buddies – Vegan Energy Balls with Masala Spice! These delicious guys will give you a boost of energy when you need it most- think breakfast on-the-go, or an afternoon pick-me-up. The best part is… these vegan, grain-free bites are not only made with simple ingredients (you probably already have everything on hand), they can be made in 10 minutes flat!
The masala spice gives them a subtle exotic flavor which I love, but know that this is totally optional, they are just as good without. The dried cranberries add a pleasant tanginess. I should admit, I’ve been a bit of an energy ball skeptic for a while now, but these little guys are truly so satisfying, both in flavor and texture, that I’ve even been switching them out for my nightly chocolate fix, and sleeping better for it. Hard to believe, I know, but it’s true! See what you think!
This week I’m partnering with The American Pecan ! Harvested during the fall months, October through December, across many of the Southern States, this is when they are at their peak of flavor – their sweetest and freshest. This nutrient-dense nut is packed with so many health benefits and contain “good” monounsaturated fats, with zero cholesterol, and are a good source of plant-protein. They’re also a high in fiber, which helps us feel fuller longer and energized all day long.
Raw pecan pieces, coconut, dates, dried cranberries, coconut oil and vanilla are blended with a hint of optional Garam Masala Spice- which give the Vegan Energy Balls a little exotic flavor.
This recipe is so simple- it’s really only a matter of placing all the ingredients in food processor and pulsing.
Using your hands, form into ping pong-sized balls and place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and chill in the fridge or freezer until firm.
Once chilled and firm, feel free to store the vegan energy balls in a storage container or sealable bag in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Vegan Energy Balls with Masala Spice -a simple, tasty vegan and gluten-free snack that can be made in 10 minutes!
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Vegan Energy Balls with Masala Spice
- Prep Time: 10
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 1x
- Category: Vegan Snack
- Method: stirred
- Cuisine: Gluten Free, Paleo
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Vegan Energy Balls with coconut, pecans and Masala Spice, a simple, tasty vegan and gluten-free snack that can be made in 10 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw pecans pieces
- 1/2 cup flaked or shredded coconut ( unsweetened)
- 1/2 cup dates, pitted
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala spice (optional)
Instructions
Add pecans and coconut into a food processor and pulse until crumbled. Add the remaining ingredients and pulse repeatedly until well combined. For the best texture – leave the texture course, rather than making it too smooth.
Roll into 12 small ping-pong sized balls and place on a parchment-lined sheet pan to firm up and cool in the fridge or freezer. Once chilled you can stack in a storage container, or place in a ziplock bag, and continue storing in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or freeze.
Notes
Makes 12 vegan energy balls
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 91
- Sugar: 5.9 g
- Sodium: 48.9 mg
- Fat: 7.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 7.5 g
- Fiber: 1.2 g
- Protein: 0.8 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Are the dried cranberries supposed to be unsweetened? I can only find the sugary kind– should I use raisins instead? TY!
Hi Julie, you can use either sweetened or unsweetened dried cranberries, or raisins!
YUM. Made them today and they’re great!
Thanks Kristen, so glad you enjoyed!
I am exploring new cooking skills and you are one of my favorite sources for great ideas and recipes. We love the energy balls, but I am finding it hard to keep them from crumbling. I followed the recipe. Advice? Thank you, Sylvia
Thanks Carol- are your dates very small or very dry? I feel like the secret to keeping them together is in the dates. I use plump, moist, Medjool dates. 🙂
I had the same crumbling issue, but I solved it by adding a tablespoon of water. They held together fine with that minor adjustment.
Thanks Cathy- this makes sense! I think the moistness of the dates are important here and without that, water is the perfect solution!
I am commenting generally. Sylvia, you are inspiring and this coming from a “retired” chef. I found your website during covid, the sourdough bread recipe in particular, and have enjoyed and recommended your site to so many. You are my go-to food website.Your work here is appreciated!!!!! Thank you.
Nilda Garzelloni DoVale
Awww thanks so much! I have a lot of help. 🙂 Appreciate you sharing Nilda!
We love this snack and have made them several times.
I have everything to go in the food processor but must be out of coconut oil. Which do you think would be the better substitute: olive or canola oil?
I hope you see this post soon, Sylvia!
Oh shoot Kylie- I think the coconut oil really makes these and keeps them together better.
Very tasty! I had to add a lot more dates to get it to stick together. My coconut was small flakes and I think if they had been larger chips it would have worked better. I added a bit of orange zest which complemented the dates and the masala.
I definitely want to make these, but I’m allergic to dates…what else can I use (staying away from sugar too)
Dates are pretty essential here, so I might go a different route.
I discovered these by accident last night, and made them today. WOW! So simple and the perfect sweet treat to keep on hand. These are delicious! Thank you
Yay!🙌
These are awesome! Once again, thank you Sylvia for sharing a wonderful EASY recipe!
Thanks and gald you liked it!
I love these energy balls, I like to substitute chopped candied ginger for the cranberries. The ginger and gram marsala complement each other for a super delicious bit.
Thanks!
Super simple and a total winner! Love these.
Yay Mollie! So happy you liked them!
UNBELIEVABLE!! Added 1.5 T fresh spirulina from Go Spiral Farms. Also added a handful of small dark chocolate chips. Love these and am adding all ingredients to the shopping list as they will be a staple in our fridge. Guilt Free Treat!!!
Awesome! Great to hear!
These are AWESOME!!! A guilt-free treat. I buy fresh spirulina from Go Spiral Farms. Added in 1.5 T spirulina and a large handful of baby dark chocolate chips. Adding all ingredients to my next shopping list as these will be a staple in our fridge. Thank you!!!
I made the first batch without the garam masala because my husband is allergic to the cinnamon in the store bought bottle I had. They were wonderful, I’m so glad you said it was okay to omit the spice. But…we ate them all in a matter of minutes (willpower? no, thank you.) So I made a second batch after making your garam marsala recipe without the cinnamon. Wow! Wow! Wow! I honestly think I could never eat chocolate again if I kept either versions of these on hand.
Easy to make, and as always with any of the recipes on this site, a delicious unexpected hint of exotic flavouring with the addition of spice.
I have loved this website for years and haven’t made a recipe yet that I didn’t love! Thank you Sylvia!
Awwww- thanks Emily! Really appreciate the kind comment!
Really nice tasting energy balls. I usually make a similar recipe based on cocoa and almonds, but I was curious to try something new. And wow…taste buds are blown away ! I also tried a version with mixed spice, and it was equally good.
This looks delicious and it has my favorite ingredients: coconut + pecan 🙂