Lemon Energy Balls Recipe

Introduction

Lemon Energy Balls are a refreshing and nutritious snack, perfect for a quick energy boost. Packed with wholesome ingredients like cashews, coconut, and citrus zest, they offer a delightful balance of tangy and sweet flavors. These no-bake treats are simple to make and great for on-the-go snacking.

A pile of round, light yellow balls covered in shredded white coconut sit stacked in a pyramid shape on a white plate with a gold rim, positioned on a beige cloth napkin. The balls have a coarse texture from the coconut coating and look soft underneath. In the blurry background, there are two whole lemons and one halved lemon showing its yellow inside, along with a small green plant and a glass of milk on a white marbled surface. The overall scene is bright with soft natural light. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 cup cashews
  • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
  • 3 tablespoons coconut nectar (or maple syrup or sugar-free syrup)
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice (about half a lemon)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons hemp seeds (or chia seeds or sunflower seeds)
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened desiccated coconut

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a food processor with the S blade attachment, add the cashews and shredded coconut. Pulse on high speed until the mixture resembles a coarse meal.
  2. Step 2: Add the coconut nectar (or syrup), lemon juice, and lemon zest to the food processor.
  3. Step 3: Blend again on high speed until the mixture forms a sticky dough that holds together.
  4. Step 4: Stir in the hemp seeds (or your seed choice) and pulse briefly to combine. If the dough feels too wet, add coconut in 2-tablespoon increments and blend each time. If it’s too dry, add cold water 1 tablespoon at a time, blending between additions until the right consistency is reached.
  5. Step 5: Scoop about one tablespoon of dough, roll it between your hands to form a ball, then roll the ball in desiccated coconut to coat.
  6. Step 6: Place the coated balls on a plate lined with parchment paper and continue rolling the remaining dough into balls.
  7. Step 7: Store the energy balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.

Tips & Variations

  • For a nut-free option, substitute cashews with sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
  • Try adding a pinch of ginger or turmeric powder for a spicy twist.
  • Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the best bright flavor.
  • If you prefer a sweeter snack, increase the coconut nectar or syrup slightly.

Storage

Keep the energy balls refrigerated in an airtight container for up to one week. For longer storage, freeze them in a sealed container for up to three months. To enjoy, thaw at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving.

How to Serve

A white plate holds a pile of round, yellowish balls covered fully in shredded white coconut flakes. One ball near the top is cut in half, showing a moist, dense inside of pale yellow with bits of shredded coconut visible. The coconut flakes on the outside add a rough texture, contrasting with the smooth and soft interior. The plate is placed on a beige cloth with a soft white marbled background and a blurred green plant and yellow lemons in the back. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other nuts instead of cashews?

Yes, almonds or walnuts can be used, but they may change the texture slightly. Cashews work best for a creamy, sticky dough.

Are these energy balls vegan and gluten-free?

Yes, using maple syrup or coconut nectar keeps the recipe vegan, and all ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

Print
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Lemon Energy Balls Recipe


  • Author: lina
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: Approximately 15 energy balls 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

These Lemon Energy Balls are a refreshing and nutritious snack made with cashews, shredded coconut, and vibrant lemon juice and zest. Sweetened naturally with coconut nectar or maple syrup, they offer a perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors with a delightful coconut coating. Packed with hemp seeds for added protein and healthy fats, these no-bake energy bites are ideal for a quick pick-me-up, suitable for vegan and gluten-free diets.


Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 cup Cashew
  • 1 1/2 cup Unsweetened Shredded Coconut
  • 1/3 cup Unsweetened Desiccated Coconut
  • 2 tablespoons Hemp Seeds (or chia seeds or sunflower seeds)

Wet Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons Coconut Nectar (or maple syrup or sugar-free syrup)
  • 1/4 cup Lemon Juice (about half a lemon)
  • 2 tablespoons Lemon Zest

Instructions

  1. Blend Dry Ingredients: In a food processor fitted with the S blade attachment, add the cashews and unsweetened shredded coconut. Pulse on high speed until the mixture turns into a coarse meal texture.
  2. Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the coconut nectar (or maple syrup), lemon juice, and lemon zest into the food processor. Blend again on high speed until a sticky dough forms and the mixture begins to come together.
  3. Incorporate Seeds: Stir in the hemp seeds (or your seed choice) and pulse a few times to evenly incorporate them into the dough.
  4. Adjust Dough Consistency: If the dough is too wet, add additional shredded coconut 2 tablespoons at a time and blend after each addition until the desired consistency is reached. If the dough is too dry, add cold water 1 tablespoon at a time, blending after each addition until the dough sticks together well.
  5. Shape the Balls: Scoop out about one tablespoon of dough, then roll it between your palms into a smooth ball. Roll each ball into the unsweetened desiccated coconut to coat evenly.
  6. Repeat Rolling: Place the coated balls on a plate lined with parchment paper as you roll the remainder of the batter into balls.
  7. Storage: Store the energy balls covered with parchment paper in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
  8. Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the energy balls in an airtight container for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before eating.

Notes

  • You can substitute hemp seeds with chia seeds or sunflower seeds depending on preference or dietary restrictions.
  • Use unsweetened shredded and desiccated coconut to keep the recipe low in added sugars.
  • If you prefer a more tart flavor, increase the lemon zest slightly, but avoid adding too much lemon juice to prevent sogginess.
  • Rolling the balls in desiccated coconut adds a pleasing texture and helps prevent sticking.
  • This recipe is naturally gluten-free, vegan, and contains no added refined sugars if using coconut nectar or a sugar-free syrup.
  • For a firmer texture, chilling the dough for 30 minutes before shaping can help.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: Fusion

Keywords: lemon energy balls, no-bake snack, healthy energy bites, vegan snack, gluten-free energy balls, cashew energy balls, coconut energy balls, lemon zest snack

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