Make a batch of these tasty no bake lemon balls to enjoy as the perfect snack on the go! With a tangy lemon flavor and nutty coconut, these lemon bliss balls are a delicious way to boost your energy for whatever is on your agenda! {Gluten-free, dairy-free & vegan}
Table of Contents
Lemon Ball Recipe
It’s hard to wrong with simple snacks like these zesty no bake lemon balls! It’s so easy to make a big batch and grab 1 or 2 of these bites whenever the snack attack hits.
The best part is, these lemon bliss balls are so much healthier than the processed snacks at the store. They contain no added sugar since they’re naturally sweetened with dates, and are made with two types of nuts and coconut for healthy fats to fill you up!
Why We Love These Lemon Energy Balls
- Easy: Made by blending everything together in a food processor and then rolling the mixture into small balls, these lemon coconut energy bites couldn’t be any easier to make!
- Make ahead: Got a busy week ahead or trying to ditch the vending machine? One batch of these lemon coconut bliss balls makes two dozen, so they’re absolutely ideal for meal prep!
- Perfect snack: These coconut lemon energy balls are a great healthy snack, made with simple ingredients, like nuts, dates, coconuts, and lemon juice. They’re filling, delicious, and a great way to boost your energy between meals anytime. The kids love them too!
Ingredient Notes
- Unsalted almonds: Choose unsalted nuts to make these lemon balls low in sodium.
- Unsalted cashews: Cashew nuts add a creamy texture that pairs so well with the nutty flavour of almonds, but you can use just one type of nut if you prefer.
- Pitted dates: You’ll need about 12 large Medjool dates. To make them really tender, soak them in hot water before blending.
- Unsweetened shredded coconut: To prevent this lemon ball recipe from becoming too sweet, it’s important to use unsweetened coconut flakes. Save extra for rolling the balls.
- Lemon juice & zest: To get that bright lemon flavor, use both fresh lemon zest and juice. You can also use lemon extract instead or a combination of both.
- Salt: Salt draws out sweetness, so add just a bit to highlight the delicious flavors in these coconut lemon energy bites.
How to Make Lemon Coconut Energy Balls – Step-by-Step
- Boil some water and soak dates in the hot water for approximately 5 minutes to soften.
- Add almonds and cashews to food processor. Pulse until nuts are finely chopped (but not a paste).
- Add dates, coconut, lemon zest, lemon juice and salt. Pulse until dates are finely chopped and the mixture starts to clump together.
- Shape the mixture into 1 1/2 inch balls and roll in coconut. Seal in a container and store in fridge or freezer.
Keep scrolling to the recipe card below for the full printable recipe!
Recipe Tips:
- If your dates are extra hard, you may need to soak them for a bit longer in the hot water to ensure that they soften up enough to blend. I typically use Medjool dates and find that they only require about 5 minutes of soaking.
- You can adapt the amount of lemon juice used according to your personal taste preferences. If you add extra lemon juice, the balls may turn out a bit more sticky.
Recipe FAQs
Many people like to enjoy energy balls as part of a healthy lifestyle, but are they really that healthy? Although some premade energy balls are loaded with sugar, it’s so easy to make your own for a healthy afternoon snack or to enjoy before a workout. By using dates as a sweetener, these lemon balls are lower on the glycemic index than regular sugar. Each ball has 6 grams of sugar, which is significantly less than most granola bars or other treats, and this sugar comes from natural sources.
I typically store these healthy lemon energy balls in the fridge for approximately a week. You can also freeze them in a freezer-safe container for 1-3 months, which is ideal for packing lunches or grabbing one or two as needed.
As a registered dietitian, I’d recommend sticking to no more than 2-3 of these energy balls per day as needed. They’re really best to use before or after a workout or to boost your energy on a hike. They can also be a great way to tide you over until your next meal, but they aren’t a complete meal on their own.
Storage Guidelines
Store leftover lemon coconut energy balls in an airtight container in the fridge for approximately 1-2 weeks. You can also store them at room temperature for a day or two, but they’ll have a firmer texture and stay fresh longer in the fridge.
For longer storage, keep the energy balls in a container in the freezer and take however many you need at a time. They can be frozen for up to 6 months.
Serving Suggestions
These no bake lemon coconut balls are great snacks to enjoy in between meals, before a workout, or on a long hike or road trip. They have some great fats and fibre to fill you up!
Enjoy them with some additional protein to give you even more energy, like a cheese stick, or high-protein Greek yogurt for some real staying power.
Recipe Variations
- For lemon protein balls: Add hemp seeds or protein powder to this mixture for additional protein.
- Change up the nuts: Feel free to use almond flour or cashew butter instead of whole nuts. These balls would be delicious with macadamia nuts, too!
- Press them into bars: Make your own DIY lemon larabars by pressing these energy bars into a pan, then cutting them into bars. Wrap them in parchment paper to take them on the go.
More Energy Ball Recipes
- No-Bake Oatmeal Balls
- Carrot Cake Energy Balls
- Nut-Free Energy Bites
- Pina Colada Energy Balls
- Chocolate Energy Balls with Dates
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Lemon Coconut Energy Balls {No Bake}
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted almonds
- 1/2 cup unsalted cashews
- 1 1/2 cups pitted dates
- 3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut plus additional for rolling the balls in
- Zest of one lemon
- 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Boil some water and soak dates in the hot water for approximately 5 minutes to soften.
- Add almonds and cashews to a food processor. Pulse until nuts are finely chopped (but not a paste).
- Add dates, coconut, lemon zest, lemon juice and salt. Pulse until dates are finely chopped and the mixture starts to clump together.
- Shape the mixture into 1 1/2 inch balls and roll in coconut flakes. Seal in container and store in the fridge or freezer.
Notes
- If your dates are extra hard, you may need to soak them for a bit longer in the hot water to ensure that they soften up enough to blend. I typically use Medjool dates and find that they only require about 5 minutes of soaking.
- You can adapt the amount of lemon juice used according to your personal taste preferences. If you add extra lemon juice, the balls may turn out a bit more sticky.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted in April 2017 and was updated in May 2023 to include more helpful tips and photos.
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