These no-bake gingerbread energy balls are made with dried fruit, nuts, and are loaded with ginger spices. They are nutritious, flavorful, and are also the perfect healthy snack to fuel your day.
I can’t believe it’s already December. Once Thanksgiving hits, it feels like a fast-track to the holidays and New Year. December always reminds me of family, holidays, traditional family dishes, and baked treats!
I know this month can get super hectic for everybody so I wanted to share a simple healthy snack to get you through your busy days. These gingerbread energy balls are festive and taste just like the cookies we know and love. Most importantly, they’re packed with nutrients to give you a midday boost.
Gingerbread energy balls ingredients
The key ingredients to all things gingerbread are ginger and molasses. In addition, add in cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, and the result is a yummy snack that tastes just like gingerbread cookie dough. Here is the list of ingredients you’ll need to make these delicious energy balls:
- Medjool dates
- Nuts (almonds and pecans)
- Chia seeds
- Ground flax meal
- Blackstrap molasses
- Gingerbread spices (ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, clove)
Naturally sweetened
These energy balls are naturally sweetened with Medjool dates. Dates are high in natural sugar, but as a fruit, they also provide fiber and beneficial micronutrients such as: potassium, magnesium, iron, B vitamins, and antioxidants.
Blackstrap molasses
To make these energy balls taste just like gingerbread cookies I added blackstrap molasses, which of course gives them the distinctive rich flavor. I chose blackstrap molasses in particular because it isn’t as sweet as other varieties of molasses.
What is molasses?
Molasses is made from either sugarcane or sugar beet juice which is boiled into a syrup. The sugar crystals are then removed from the syrup, and the leftover brown liquid is boiled until it becomes molasses. Depending how many times the liquid was boiled will give you different varieties: light, dark, and blackstrap.
The third and last boiling of molasses results in the deepest, darkest version: blackstrap molasses. Some of the sweetness is removed during each boiling. In addition the remaining blackstrap molasses is thicker and has a more bitter flavor.
In addition, blackstrap molasses contains essential vitamins and minerals providing powerful health benefits. Some of the vitamins and minerals include iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, selenium, manganese, and more.
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Do you have to use molasses?
I know molasses isn’t necessarily an ingredient you typically have in your pantry. If you don’t have it, or really don’t like it, you can substitute with maple syrup. However, doing so won’t give you that true gingerbread flavor.
Additional nutrition
The combination of dried fruit, nuts, and chia seeds provides energizing carbohydrates balanced with filling protein and fat. They are a great snack to boost your energy to get you through an afternoon slump as well as provide you with energy for a workout. They are also the perfect prep-ahead snack to keep in the refrigerator on busier days.
Easy to make
The best part about these gingerbread energy balls is they are super quick to throw together and require no baking! All the ingredients are added to a food processor, pulsed until well combined, and finally rolled into balls. Alternatively, you can press the dough into a 8×8 pan and then slice into bars.
Store your energy balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay good for 1-2 weeks, however I guarantee they won’t last that long! Alternatively, store in the freezer and thaw for at least 15 minutes prior to eating.
If you want to make them fancy, dip them in chocolate or roll them in a coating. Below I rolled them in a mixture of almond flour seasoned with cinnamon and ground ginger. While it does make them more eye appealing (reminds me of truffles), they taste amazing with no additional coating.
More great recipes to make this holiday season
- Maple Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Apple Crisp
- Pumpkin Bolognese
- Lentil Vegetable Soup
- Butternut Squash Ravioli
- Frittata with Broccoli, Cheddar, Bacon & Potatoes
Gingerbread Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup medjool dates pitted
- ½ cup pecans unsalted
- ½ cup almonds unsalted & roasted
- 1 ½ Tablespoons molasses
- 1 Tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 Tablespoon ground flax seeds
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1-2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon allspice
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- Pinch of cloves optional
Instructions
- Add the dates to a small bowl and pour the warm water over them, ensuring dates are completely covered. Let rest for at minimum five minutes to soften. Drain the dates and add to a food processor.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the food processor (Note: start with 1 teaspoon of ginger and add more to desired taste preference).
- Pulse the mixture until a sticky mixture forms. Taste and adjust seasoning to your liking. If it seems too thick you can add a splash of water.
- Shape the dough into ~1 inch balls and enjoy immediately or place in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.
Nutrition Facts
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