Energy balls! The cutest name for the best, healthyish, unbaked sweet treat. And these amazing matcha energy balls with cashew butter are chock full of good stuff (oats! chia seeds! honey! mini chocolate chips! coconut!). Say hello to your new favorite dessert, snack and breakfast.
Amazing Matcha Energy Balls with Cashew Butter
I know. Amazing is a strong word. And what the heck are energy balls? Energy balls, protein bites, sweet magic goodies, whatever you call them, they are having a moment right now. And for good reason. Packed with delicious, nutritious, protein filled ingredients, these amazing matcha energy balls with cashew butter also come together in minutes – with no cooking or baking! And since they aren’t baked, they’re also flourless. They’re held together with cashew butter, honey and love. You’ll be surprised how decadent and tasty these little green treats are.
Ingredients with Benefits
There are a huge variety of healthy ingredients you could choose to put into energy balls. Of course first and foremost you choose ingredients based on how good they taste together, but in the case of energy balls, you’re also choosing ingredients with a lot of healthy benefits. One of the most amazing ingredients in this recipe (and also the ingredient that makes them green) is the matcha green tea powder.(affiliate link)
Have you tried matcha tea? Head to your favorite coffee shop and odds are they have a matcha green tea latte on the menu (in case you’re wondering, I like mine iced, with soy milk.). Unlike regular green tea leaves that you throw out after you steep them, matcha powder is ground from the whole leaf. Because of this, you’re ingesting all of the super healthy benefits. Speaking of benefits, here are just a few from the powerhouse ingredients in these amazing matcha energy balls with cashew butter:
- matcha green tea powder: antioxidants, high in the catechin EGCg, which is believed to have cancer fighting effects, amino acids, and green tea polyphenols that help brain function. Basically, it’s a good idea to get some matcha powder into your life.
- cashew butter: Lots of protein, heart-healthy fats, essential amino acids, and less sugar than peanut butter (depending on brands)
- honey: antioxidants, good for endurance, can ease digestive problems
- rolled oats: fiber, magnesium, zinc, gluten-free
- chia seeds: fiber, protein, zinc, calcium, omega 3 fatty acids
- coconut: fiber, iron, healthy fats
- chocolate chips: flavanols that help increase brain function, polyphenols that help heart health and brain function, antioxidants
See what I mean? Amazing!
One Bowl Wonder
To make you even more excited about energy balls (is that possible?), they are also so easy to make! First you’ll measure, then stir, then roll, and finally, eat. Those are the directions in a nutshell – easy!
To start, you’ll measure your ingredients out into your favorite mixing bowl (you may not have thought about it before, but I’ll bet you have a favorite mixing bowl.)
Next, you’ll give it a good stir so the energy ball dough is well combined and everything is evenly distributed.
Once everything is combined, I like to refrigerate the dough for 20-30 minutes before scooping and rolling the energy balls. This is optional, but the dough will be less sticky when it’s cold, which will make them easier to roll. Now comes the fun part!
Scoop and Roll
To make the energy balls I use a small, spring loaded cookie scoop. Scoops are fun to use, which is reason enough, but the scoop will also ensure they’ll all be the same size. If you don’t have a scoop, you can use a tablespoon measuring spoon (but you should really get a scoop for your future happiness). I have this one (affiliate link) and I like it!
Now you’ll portion out your dough with the scoop, then roll each portion between the palms of your hands until it’s firmly packed and cutely round.
Take an Energy Bite!
The look and size of these amazing matcha energy balls with cashew butter belie their big flavor and decadence. Take a bite. You’re going to be surprised how quickly you fall in love with them!
Tools I like for Making Energy Balls (Affiliate Links)
- Small cookie scoop. You’ll use this all the time for energy balls, cookies and even melon balls!
- Matcha green tea powder. You can also use your matcha powder to make a delicious smoothie or latte!
- Favorite mixing bowl, if you don’t have one already. This one’s great because it’s large and has a pour spout.
- Glass storage dish. To store your delicious energy balls in the fridge.
A Few Notes on the Ingredients
- You can use regular chocolate chips, but mini chips are SO much cuter. Plus they’ll incorporate into the energy ball batter much better.
- Make sure you buy old fashioned rolled oats, not instant oatmeal or steel cut oatmeal. If you think about the oats like they’re in the Three Little Bears story, the instant oats will be too small and soft, the steel cut oats will be too hard, and the rolled oats will be just right.
- If you don’t want to use chia seeds, you can substitute ground flax seeds.
- DO NOT SKIP THE SALT. Because adding salt brings out all the flavors in these tasty little treats.
Disclaimer: any links to products in this post may be affiliate links. This means I would get a small commission if the product was purchased. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. I only link to products I like and use myself, or are similar to what I use if the exact item isn’t available. Thank you!
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Amazing Matcha Energy Balls with Cashew Butter
Description
Energy balls! The cutest name for the best, healthyish, unbaked sweet treat. And these amazing matcha energy balls with cashew butter are chock full of good stuff (oats! chia seeds! honey! mini chocolate chips! coconut!). Say hello to your new favorite dessert, snack and breakfast.
Ingredients
- 1 3/4 cup old fashioned oats (not quick oats or steel cut oats)
- 1 cup cashew butter
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon matcha green tea powder
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Measure all ingredients into a large mixing bowl.
- Stir well until all ingredients are combined and evenly distributed. If you have time, refrigerate for 30 minutes (this will make it easier to scoop).
- Using a small cookie scoop or a tablespoon, scoop out a portion, then roll between your palms while packing the ingredients together and forming a ball. Continue scooping and rolling until all the dough is gone. You’ll get 24-26 energy balls.
- Store the energy balls in a covered container in the fridge. Eat within 7 days for best flavor and texture. Try to eat just one!
Notes
- If using a natural style cashew butter, make sure it’s well stirred together before you measure.
- If you don’t have cashew butter, you can sub peanut or almond butter, but the flavor will change.
- You can use sweetened or unsweetened coconut.
