- June 21, 2022
- by Amy Gorin, MS, RDN
- 0 Comments
Gluten-Free Power Balls
Ready for gluten-free energy balls that come together in just 10 minutes? These gluten-free power balls boast 5 grams of protein per serving!
These gluten-free energy balls feature oats, seeds, lime juice, cocoa powder, and sunflower butter. With only six ingredients, you get a healthy balance of protein, fiber, and healthy fat.
You are sure to love these gluten-free power balls! I love to whip up a batch to enjoy for quick, satisfying snacks throughout the week. All you need is a food processor, and the balls are ready in no time.
Not only are these no-bake power balls gluten-free, they’re also vegan. You don’t want to miss out on these flavor-filled gluten-free power balls!
Ingredients
The ingredient list to make gluten-free power balls is as easy as it gets! Here’s what you’ll want to grab at the grocery store (or from your own pantry!):
Oats: You’ll need gluten-free rolled oats to make these gluten-free energy balls. Make sure to select oats that are labeled as gluten free.
Although oats are naturally gluten free, they are often grown alongside wheat or are processed in the same facilities as gluten-containing ingredients and thus have the potential to be cross contaminated.
If you don’t follow a gluten-free diet, then you do not need to worry about this.
Nuts and seeds: I used roasted, unsalted almonds and pumpkin seeds in these protein balls. These add some nice crunch—as well as protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
If you don’t have almonds and pumpkin seeds on hand, you could substitute them with other options like pistachios or chia seeds.
Lime juice: The lime juice gives the ball a fun, bright flavor! The tartness and subtle sweetness from the lime juice pairs perfectly with the chocolatey flavor of the cocoa powder.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: This is one of my favorite ingredients to sweeten recipes with no added sugar! It boasts lots of healthy polyphenols. Plus, you just can’t go wrong with the chocolatey flavor that it adds!
Sunflower butter: Sunflower butter is the glue that helps make the ingredients stick together! It adds more healthy fats to the mix, too. I love using sunflower butter to switch things up from peanut butter.
Plus, it’s allergen-friendly—important if you have anyone allergic to peanuts in your household.
Step-by-step instructions
First, pulse oats, nuts, and seeds to make these gluten-free energy balls. Start by placing the oats,
almonds,
and pumpkin seeds
in the food processor. Close the lid securely, and pulse for about 20 seconds.
Reserve 2 Tablespoons of the mixture and set aside.
Now, it’s time to add the sunflower butter,
lime juice, and cocoa powder to the food processor.
Close the lid securely, and pulse again.
Stop processing as needed to scrape the remnants from the side of the processor.
Next, line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. With clean hands, roll the mixture that you just processed into small balls.
Dip the balls into the oat mixture,
then place them on the cookie sheet. Repeat until the ingredients are used up.
Finally, allow the power balls to set. Cover the balls, and place them in the fridge for a minimum of 3 hours or overnight. This will allow them to set so that they solidify and aren’t so messy.
Recipe FAQ
Yes, energy balls are a nutritious snack. Generally, they’re made with a mixture of ingredients that provide healthy fats and fiber—like nuts, seeds, and oats.
These gluten-free power balls contain the perfect balance of fiber, protein, and healthy fat that will keep you full and satisfied.
It is important to note that energy balls are best to eat in moderation. Two to three power balls is a great portion size that will keep you satisfied without overdoing it!
The best way to store these power balls is in the refrigerator or freezer. Place them in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
You could also store them covered on the countertop, but they won’t maintain their freshness for as long. If you want the power balls to last even longer, you can keep them in the freezer and they’ll be good for 1 month or more.
Yes, they are! None of the ingredients––including oats, sunflower butter, and almonds––contains any animal products.
Nutrition
You probably know by now that gluten-free power balls have a lot to offer when it comes to nutrition! They are a balanced vegan-friendly snack that will keep you full and energized until your next meal.
Take a look at their nutrition profile below, including the percentage of Daily Values (DV) of nutrients that they offer:
- Calories: 130
- Total fat: 10 grams (g) (13% DV)
- Saturated fat: 1g (5% DV)
- Fiber: 1 g (7% DV)
- Protein: 5 g (2% DV)
- Carbs: 9 g (3% DV)
- Sugar: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg (0% DV)
- Sodium: 7 mg (3% DV)
More tasty snack recipes
Love these gluten-free power balls? Here are more snacks that are just as delicious and satisfying:
- Easy Coffee Muffins
- No-bake Healthy Energy Bars
- Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Dessert Cups
- Chocolate Almond Butter Protein Balls
- Pistachio Candied Nuts
- Orange Coconut Parfait
I hope these gluten-free protein balls are your new favorite healthy snack. Pair a couple of the power balls with a piece of fruit to make them even more nutritious and satisfying! I can’t wait to hear what you think of them.
Gluten-Free Power Balls
Ingredients
- ½ cup gluten-free rolled oats
- ½ cup roasted unsalted almonds
- ¼ cup sprouted salted pumpkin seeds
- 1 cup key lime juice
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup sunflower butter
Instructions
- Place oats, almonds, and pumpkin seeds into food processor. Close lid securely, and pulse for 20 seconds.
- Reserve 2 Tablespoons of oat mixture, placing remainder of mixture into food processor, along with key lime juice, cocoa powder and sunflower butter. Close lid securely.
- Pulse, and stop to scrap sides as needed.
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
- With clean hands, roll mixture into small balls. Dip into oat mixture, and place on cookie sheet. Repeat until all of ingredients are used up.
- Cover balls, and place in fridge for a minimum of three hours or overnight.
Nutrition
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