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This basic energy ball recipe is the perfect recipe to help you build your confidence in gluten-free cooking. Having a basic recipe to fill in the blank with can help you grow your flavor pairing knowledge.
Not only that, but energy balls, or energy bites, are the perfect energy-dense snack to prep and pack for long days out of the house. And if you’re super busy, getting in your nutrition in just a few bites can make a world of a difference.
Additionally, depending on how you make these snack balls, they are typically rich in lot’s of important nutrients like iron, magnesium, B vitamins, and more.
Because I primarily work with celiac patients, this basic energy ball recipe will be gluten-free friendly. Gluten-free energy balls are a great option for people with celiac.
Energy balls are fast and easy to make. Something that’s much appreciated if you’re burdened with making 90% of your meals.
Not to mention gluten-free power balls are nutrient and energy-dense. For example, they are a gluten-free iron-rich food option. Additionally, they are packed full of other important nutrients of concern for celiac. Nutrients like magnesium, B vitamins, fiber, and more.
For energy balls to be considered celiac-safe we need to talk about oats. Oats are celiac-safe if they are purity protocol or certified gluten-free. However, some people with celiac find they react to oats. Thus, this basic energy ball recipe can easily be made oat-free.
To make oat-free energy balls, simply just choose a different gluten-free flour to use.
To make this basic energy ball recipe grain-free, use gluten-free nut flour. Examples of flours to use would be almond flour and coconut flour. Alternatively, you could try tiger nut or cassava flour.
Know that using any of these options will change the texture of the energy balls. Typically, using these flours make the energy bites gritty.
If you have a nut allergy, you need nut-free energy balls. To make this recipe nut-free choose seed-based butter. Some examples of seed butter include pumpkin seed butter and this 5 seed butter on Amazon. (Those are affiliate links)
Thus, to make these energy balls nut-free, make sure you’re using nut-free gluten-free flours and you’re good to go!
To make this basic energy ball recipe peanut-free, make sure not to use peanut butter as your nut butter of choice. Luckily, peanut-free energy balls aren’t as hard to make as nut-free.
To make this customizable energy ball recipe date-free, all you have to do is not add dates. While most energy bites have dates, my basic energy ball recipe does not. So don’t worry, this is already a date-free energy ball recipe.
The basic energy ball recipe ingredients are simple. They include 4 key ingredients: nut butter, gluten-free flour, liquid sweetener, and mix-ins. All of the ingredients work together to build a delicious energy ball. Perfect for quick on the go snacking.
The nut butter is what holds the gluten-free energy balls together. It also serves to increase the satisfaction of your energy balls through flavor and fat.
You may choose peanut butter to add a boost of flavor. Maybe you mix in some raisins and make a peanut butter and jelly ball. Or you mix in some chocolate chips for a chocolate peanut butter ball.
Alternatively, maybe you choose to use cashew butter. So you mix in some sprinkles for a cake batter-inspired energy ball. The opportunities are endless.
The gluten-free flour is what builds texture in your energy bites. Nut flours like coconut and almond flour, make for a grittier energy ball. Whereas oats or gluten-free all-purpose flour will make for a smoother ball.
If you’re a big texture person when it comes to food, choose your gluten-free flour wisely.
The liquid sweetener helps build flavor in your energy ball. Choose maple syrup or agave for a more subtle sweetness. Or use a fruit syrup like Wabry Organic Syrups for a fruity flavor (this is an affiliate link).
Personally, I love making different peanut butter and jelly energy balls with Wabry Fruit Syrups. But maple and agave syrup will always hold a special place in my heart.
This is where the real fun and customization happens. Let yourself go wild with the mix-ins. Use anything from dried fruit, chocolate chips, nuts, seeds, sprinkles, spice etc. can be mixed into your energy balls to keep them interesting.