Salted Caramel Apple Energy Balls (Vegan + Gluten-Free)
Keep these Salted Caramel Apple Energy Balls on hand for a quick pick me up snack. Made with nourishing ingredients like dates, oats, walnuts, and applesauce, they taste like caramel apples in energy ball form! Vegan and gluten-free.
Energy balls are a great make-ahead snack. I love them because they’re tasty, portable, and you can prepare a batch for snacking at the start of a busy week. I also love that you can load them up with good-for-you ingredients like nuts, seeds, dried fruit and more.
I’m such a fan of energy balls that I have created several different recipes over the years. Like these Lemon Coconut Energy Balls and Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Protein Balls.
My recipe for Salted Caramel Apple Energy Balls with is inspired by fall. Apples are in season, and many of us enjoy candy apples and caramel apples as (Canadian) Thanksgiving and Halloween approach us.
If you’re ready to embrace the fall season and it’s warm, cozy flavours (or you like to do so year-round), this recipe is for you!
Salted Caramel Apple Energy Balls Ingredients:
Medjool Dates – Dates are the base of these energy balls. They add natural sweetness, the caramel flavour, and when processed, they help the balls stick together!
Walnuts – Walnuts add so much nutrition to this recipe. They are a plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids which are beneficial for our heart and brain health. The healthy fat also helps us feel satiated.
Oats – You know I love my oats! Oats are a whole-grain carbohydrate and a source of cholesterol-lowering soluble fibre. The fibre also helps us feel full!
Unsweetened Applesauce – This is mainly for the apple flavour in these energy balls, but applesauce also gives us similar nutrition benefits to apples!
Ground Flax – I added ground flax seed to this recipe for a little nutrition boost. Healthy fat, fibre and more!
Sea Salt – For that salted caramel flavour, of course.
Cinnamon – This is also to add some more warm, fall flavour. Nothing pairs better than apples and cinnamon, am I right?
How to Make Salted Caramel Apple Energy Balls:
For this recipe you’ll need a food processor or high-speed blender.
To your food processor, add dates, oats, walnuts, applesauce, ground flax, cinnamon and sea salt. Process until the mixture forms a sticky dough.
Using clean hands, roll the dough into balls (about 1 1/2 tbsp per ball) and roll them in a plate of crushed walnuts or shredded coconut if desired.
Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes then enjoy. Store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
Substitution Suggestions:
Here are some substitution ideas for those who are looking to switch things up, have allergies, or don’t have all of the ingredients listed!
Ground Flax Seeds: You can always swap this for another small seed (like hemp or chia) if you like.
Walnuts: I have also used almonds in this recipe and the result was just as delicious.
Unsweetened applesauce: I wouldn’t recommend using another fruit puree as we do want the apple flavour, but if all you have is sweetened applesauce, this will do the same!
More Energy Ball Recipes You’ll Love:
Salted Caramel Coconut Bliss Balls
Salted Caramel Apple Energy Balls (Vegan + Gluten-Free)
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted Medjool dates
- 1 cup walnut pieces (can sub. almonds or pecans)
- 1/2 cup rolled oats , (rolled oats *not quick oats)
- 3 tbsp unsweeteend applesauce
- 2 tbsp ground flax seed
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- optional: more walnut pieces or shredded coconut, for rolling
Instructions
- Add dates, oats, walnuts, applesauce, ground flax, cinnamon and sea salt to the food processor. Process until the mixture forms a sticky dough.
- Using clean hands, roll the dough into balls (about 1 1/2 tbsp per ball) and roll them in a plate of crushed walnuts or shredded coconut if desired.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes then enjoy. Store in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
Connect with Hannah Magee, RD!
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