Lemon Energy Bites

Disclosure:  This post is sponsored by NOW Foods.  As always, all opinions are my own.

Bright, citrusy, lemon energy bites are a perfect summertime snack option!

Last weekend was recipe-testing-palooza up in our house.  Smoothies, energy balls, pancakes, lasagna…our kitchen was full of food for upcoming blog recipes!  The hubby and kiddo definitely weren’t complaining, haha – they love being my testers.

One of my favorite types of recipes to test are energy balls/bites, because I find them incredibly convenient to prep ahead of time for a healthy snack.  These lemon energy bites are a nice invigorating option; a fun citrusy change from the other varieties I usually revert to.

They’re sweet but only about 100 calories each, so they’re a perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth without overdoing it.  This version actually has no added sugar – all the sugar comes naturally from the lemon juice and golden raisins.  (Though if you find yours need a little more moisture or sweetness, you can certainly add a spoonful or two of honey or maple syrup).

A little side note about golden raisins – most energy ball recipes feature dates, which I love.  But I’ve gotten some questions from readers about ways to make them without dates.  The solution for many recipes is just substituting golden raisins instead.  They have a similar sweetness and also provide the necessary stickiness to keep the energy ball together.

So in addition to the lemon and raisins, you’ll use a handful of easy-to-find ingredients for these lemon energy bites.  I grabbed all of mine from NOW Foods (I’ve been partnering with them for a while and the quality of their natural food is amazing!):

• Rolled oats – Oats are a good source of soluble fiber, which is helpful for heart and gut health.
• Chia seeds – Ch-ch-ch-chia!  These seeds – which yes, are the same thing chia pets were made from – are actually rich in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and fiber.
• Cashews – Bring on the healthy fats!  Cashews also contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
• Coconut – I love that you can find unsweetened shredded coconut on the market these days!  It’s a great way to add richness and flavor to an energy ball.

Once you’ve got all your ingredients, just measure everything out, toss it in a food processor, and boom – delish lemon coconut balls!

You can use these as a convenient grab-and-go snack option when you want a punch of citrusy sweetness, and they’re great for the kiddos too.  And for anyone with dietary limitations, these are vegan and can be made gluten-free as long as you specifically seek out certified gluten-free oats.

I hope you’ll give ‘em a whirl soon!

PS – Looking for more energy bite recipes?  Be sure to check out these peanut butter apple energy balls, these chocolate cherry energy bites, or these Hungarian cookie energy balls.

Lemon Energy Bites

Snacking in Sneakers

Bright, citrusy, and nutritious - that's what makes these lemon energy bites a perfect snack option anyone!

5 from 6 votes

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Prep Time 5 mins

Total Time 5 mins

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 10

Calories 96 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 3 tbsp lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
• 2 tbsp lemon zest (about 1 large lemon)
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1/2 cup cashews
• 1/2 cup rolled oats (if gluten free, look for certified gluten free)
• 1/3 cup golden raisins
• 1/4 cup shredded unsweetened coconut

Instructions

 

• Place all ingredients in a food processor.  Turn on for about 10-20 seconds, or until the ingredients look well combined. 
• Roll mixture in your hand to form 10 energy balls.  Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Notes

Notes: If your energy balls seem a bit dry, you can add 1-2 tbsp of maple syrup or honey. Nutrition analysis: 96 calories, 5.5 g fat, 2 g sat fat, 10 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 4 g sugar, 2.5 g protein, Vitamin A: 0%, Vitamin C: 6%, Calcium: 2%, Iron: 3%

Nutrition

Calories: 96kcal

Keyword lemon energy balls, lemon energy bites

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Share with me:  What do you think of these lemon energy bites?  Do you have a favorite energy ball recipe? 

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Chrissy Carroll

Chrissy Carroll is a Registered Dietitian and USAT Level I Triathlon Coach. She specializes in sharing nutrition and fitness tips, as well as recipes, for runners, triathletes, and active women.Chrissy holds a Bachelor's Degree in Nutrition, a Masters Degree in Public Health, and is also an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer.

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