I love chia seeds and use them in a variety of ways. They add a nice crunch when they’re used dry and gel when added to a liquid. Even better, I love their spectacular nutrient profile. I’ve used chia seeds in many ways, but these chia seed energy balls are without a doubt my favorite!
They make a great post-workout snack, but the whole family loves to munch on them too.
All About Chia Seeds
You may have heard of chia before from those catchy commercial jingles about chia pets. The chia seeds that we use in food are those same seeds. They’re itty bitty little seeds that come in either black or white. I see black most frequently in stores, but both varieties are pretty much the same in terms of use, taste, and nutrient content.
Chia seeds are naturally gluten-free and pack a powerful nutritional punch. They contain:
- 4.7 grams of protein/ounce and all eight essential amino acids
- as much calcium as a glass of milk
- more Omega-3s than a serving of walnuts
- as many antioxidants as blueberries
- an impressive amount of iron
- lots of fiber
That’s pretty awesome!
No-Bake Energy Balls
These energy balls seriously give you energy. All. Day. Long. Not jittery energy like you’ve had too much sugar or caffeine, just I-could-get-so-much-done-right-now energy!
These yummy energy balls are a great snack for kids or healthy breakfast addition. They’re also nut-free, dairy-free, and grain-free so they’re safe to send to schools even if there are allergy restrictions.
One word of caution: Do NOT eat this energy bites recipe after dinner! I made that mistake (because they’re so good and taste like cookie dough). As a result, I had trouble falling asleep.
Using Chia Seeds
Chia seeds have some interesting properties that make them really fun to use. Most notably, they can absorb so much liquid! When they do, they become this jiggly, gelatinous texture. When I use them in liquid it’s usually one of these ways:
- Chia Seed Kombucha
- Chia Seed Pudding
- Chia Seed Squeeze Pouches
- Coconut Chia Pudding
- Peanut Butter Chia Seed Pudding with Blackberry Jam
I also use ground chia seeds to thicken sauces and stews. However, you can also use chia seeds dry. They add a nice crunch to salads and are perfect for making granola bars, energy balls, and other snack recipes.
Making Chia Seed Energy Bites
When I first started making this healthy snack I pressed the mixture into a pan and cut it into bars. Recently, I realized I can save myself a dish and just roll them into balls instead. They’re a lot easier to grab and go in ball form too!
Some chia seed energy ball recipes call for maple syrup or agave to sweeten, but dates do the job nicely. It makes for a chewy, superfoods snack that satisfies cravings for something sweet but healthy.
To make the mixture, I puree large Medjool dates in a food processor. Make sure you remove the pits first! The pureed dates make a thick paste that acts as both a sweetener and the “glue” to hold the balls together. If your dates are too dry and you’re having a hard time pureeing them, try adding just a tiny bit of water.
Then mix together the date paste with the chia seeds, coconut oil, and whatever add-ins you want to use. I like to use a combination of dried fruit, coconut flakes, and mini chocolate chips. Sometimes I add a pinch of cinnamon too.
Once everything is mixed together, scoop out a tablespoon and roll it into a ball. This is a great job for kids! You can eat them immediately or chill them until they’re firmer. Store the uneaten ones in the refrigerator.
Chia Seed Energy Balls Recipe
Servings
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 large Medjool dates
- ½ cup chia seeds
- 2 TBSP coconut oil
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 pinch cinnamon
Optional add-ins (up to ¼ cup total)
Instructions
- Remove the pits from the dates and discard them.
- Pulse the dates in a food processor or blender until they form a paste. If your dates are too dry and are just getting stuck in a clump without mashing, try adding a very small amount of water.
- In a medium mixing bowl, mix the date paste with the chia seeds, coconut oil, and any optional add-ins you’d like to use.
- Use a 1 tablespoon measure or cookie scoop to scoop out the mixture, rolling it into balls.
- Eat immediately or refrigerate to firm up a bit.
- Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container.
Nutrition
Notes
- Instead of rolling it into balls, you can press the mixture into the bottom of a glass or silicone baking dish and refrigerate it until chilled. Cut into bars.
- For additional calcium, you can add about a teaspoon of eggshell powder!
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Do you like chia seeds? How do you use them? Share below!
Hello, this looks very good! I am just wondering, what would the gram of trans fats be coming from in this recipe? Thank you 🙂
Certain whole foods naturally contain a tiny amount of ruminant trans fats. The nutrition data is automatically calculated so it could also be rounding up to 1 gram. Artificial trans fats however are considered dangerous.
I love chia and it’s health benefits. Can I make these with something other than coconut oil? It’s so high in saturated fat.
I just discovered Lakanto chocolate chips which I thing might be a better choice since they do not contain any soy. Enjoy Life chocolate chips have soy which I try to avoid. Have you ever used the Lakanto Chocolate Chips?
We are working to reverse some cavities on my three year old. Would you avoid chia seeds and all nuts during this time or do you think they are ok? Do you soak all of your nuts prior to eating? Your site is so helpful to me. Thank you!