Crispy energy balls are a kid pleasing snack that is low in sugar and calories but high in iron, fiber, and protein. Try making some for your family today!
Ah, summer… when I think about summer vacation I dream about relaxing carefree days without a schedule and lots of sleeping in.
And then reality sets in. Our summers are full of 8 a.m. swim team practice, camps, and evening barbecues. I love the activity, but hate getting my little people up and at ‘em in time for practice.
Lately we have been sleeping in until the last possible second, tossing on our suits, and heading out the door without a moment to spare.
Fast & Healthy Breakfast Option
Breakfast is the one flaw in this near perfect plan. I usually sip coffee during practice and the kids have been resorting to baggies of dry cereal, a piece of toast, or a cold pancake while we drive.
We needed a quick and healthy breakfast option.
I was going to whip up a batch of No Sugar, No Flour, No Oil Healthy Oatmeal Muffins but didn’t want to heat up the house. Instead I tried making a batch of Peanut Butter Pretzel Energy Bites from Pinch of Yum and man, they were delicious! The kids gobbled them up and came looking for more.
Superfood Snacks
My version of Energy Balls has a bit of chocolate and a little crunch. They closely resemble store-bought peanut butter chocolate chip granola bars with a few major differences:
- No Refined Sugar
- Whole Grains
- 6% of Iron (daily value)
- 8% of Fiber (daily value)
- 6% Protein (daily value)
- Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids
- Super Foods (Chia, Flax Seed, Coconut Oil)
These tasty little snacks are full of real food ingredients including whole oats, flax-seed, coconut, and chia seeds. They get their marvelous crunch from crispy rice cereal and are naturally gluten-free.
Kid Friendly Recipe
I love cooking with my kids. It helps them develop their housekeeping skills and makes them more interested in the results. Yep, it’s true, kids are more willing to try new foods when they help prepare them.
This recipe is an easy introduction to cooking: stir, shape, and gobble up the delicious results.
Print
Crispy No Bake Energy Balls for Kids
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 32 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: American
Description
Crispy energy balls are a kid pleasing snack that is low in sugar and calories but high in iron, fiber and protein. Try this easy, no bake recipe today.
Ingredients
- 1½ cups whole rolled oats (chopped lightly in food processor)
- 1½ cups crispy rice cereal
- ½ cup shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- ¼ cup flax seed (ground)
- ½ cup natural peanut butter
- ¼ cup virgin coconut oil
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Stir together peanut butter, coconut oil and honey in a small mixing bowl until smooth
- Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl.
- Pour peanut butter mixture over dry ingredients and mix until evenly combined.
- Chill mixture for 20 -40 minutes. Press 2 tablespoons of mixture together into small balls and store in a covered glass container. (Do not roll, the balls will crumble.)
- Tip: You can also press the mix into a greased 9″ X 13″ pan, chill, and cut into 4 rows of 8 squares.
- Chill energy balls for 30 minutes then enjoy.
- Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Serving Size – 1 energy ball
Nutrition information uses unsweetened coconut and natural peanut butter.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 78
- Sugar: 3.8
- Sodium: 3.1
- Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 5.6
- Fiber: 1.3
- Protein: 1.6
Keywords: crispy energy balls, energy balls for kids
Try Something New
I hope you try this healthy, kid friendly snack. It comes in a cute, crispy package that is appealing to kids (and adults). You’ll notice them disappearing from your fridge quickly!
Luckily, you can send the kids to make more!
Strawberry Crispy Energy Balls
You’ll love the strawberry version of this recipe too!
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annie
Easy to make and everyone loved them! I used almond butter instead of peanut butter. Melted coconut oil in microwave, mixed in honey & almond butter, microwave & stir. Omitted chocolate chips & chia seeds. Substituted flax meal for flax seeds. They held together nicely. Press, don’t roll.
★★★★★
Nina
Sorry for the two stars Bren, it’s tasty but doesn’t work – I wish I’d taken the time to read the other similar comments here before making! I followed the recipe exactly and had my partner compress the mixture with all his strength, but sadly the mixture does not hold together at all. Not after overnight in the fridge. And not after baking for 15 minutes – this is not at all practical to give to a toddler/ child as finger food. It would be a waste of good organic expensive ingredients but luckily it still tastes good and I will use to make a granola instead… not what I was going for though.
★★
Penelope
My favorite. I used cheerios and made bars. I might add more peanut butter as suggested, because they did crumble a little but not when kept in the fridge. They are so delicious.
★★★★★
Anna
What can I use instead of coconut oil?
Bren
You can add more peanut butter.
Alison Youmans
Too crumbly too form into balls
Bren
Try adding a bit more peanut butter or coconut oil.
Jennifer
These sound delicious! I’m planning to make them soon, I love the idea of adding crispy rice cereal. Question: do you notice the cereal getting soggy after a day or 2?
Bren
No, I have never had the cereal get soggy. Hope you enjoy!
Alexandra
Made a test batch today because I wanted to make these for my son’s preschool class. I used a coffee scoop and pressed the mixture firmly into the scoop to create the little bites. By overfilling the scoop and using the palm of my hand to press into the metal scoop helped create firm shapes. They ARE a little crumbly so I’ve Put them back in the fridge to see if that might help.
Question on the recipe: the 1/2 Cup of coconut oil— should that be measured in its solid or liquid state? I used it as a solid with a dry measuring cup and blended the wet ingredients using a hand mixer. I thought the solid might mean using too much. And the wet ingredients definitely didn’t “pour” after mixing.
★★★
Bren
I measure the coconut oil when it is solid. You can add a bit more nut butter or coconut oil if you are having trouble shaping.
Brinley
Could not roll these into balls at all. They kept falling apart. I tried keeping them in fridge longer but that didn’t help. Very disappointing because I feel like I wasted all that product since it wouldn’t form into any shape.
★★
Bren
Sorry you’re haivng problems, Brinley. If the measurements are off it will change the texture/ability to form balls. Try adding a bit more peanut butter or coconut oil until the mixture easily forms balls.