These No-Bake Oatmeal Raisin Energy Balls have become one of my favourite go-to snacks - they're healthy, super tasty, and incredibly easy to make. And the best part? All you need is a mixing bowl.

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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
Storage
Toasty's Tips
FAQ
Other Energy Ball Flavours to Try
📖 Recipe
💬 Reviews

Why You'll Love This Recipe

With a sweet and nutty taste, these energy balls are packed with flavour and nutrition - making them a fantastic alternative to store-bought snacks that are often filled with artificial additives and refined sugars. If you're struggling to find easy, healthy and tasty snacks for you and your family, give this a try. Here are a few other reasons why I love these so much:

Absolutely delicious - you'll be amazed by how incredibly tasty these are. Trust me, their addictiveness will surprise you.
Satisfy your sweet tooth - indulge in the nutty sweetness of these energy balls, offering a healthier alternative to sugary treats like brownies, cakes, or chocolate bars.
No-bake simplicity - with just a mixing bowl, anyone can whip up these delightful treats, regardless of their skills in the kitchen.
Perfect for meal prep - streamline your snacking routine by prepping a batch of these energy balls to enjoy throughout the week.
Wholesome goodness - packed with nutritious whole foods, these energy balls are a satisfying alternative to processed snacks.
Kid-approved - not only will kids love these wholesome treats, but they'll also enjoy getting involved in the fun of making them.
Accessible ingredients - use common household staples found in your kitchen or pantry to create these energy balls with ease.
Endless customization - I love the versatility of energy balls - you can add your favourite ingredients to create unique and exciting flavour combinations.

Ingredients

Please see the recipe card below for exact quantities.

Oats - I like using old-fashioned rolled oats for their chewier texture, though quick oats can also work well for a softer consistency. However, steel-cut oats are not suitable for this no-bake recipe.
Almond butter - use creamy, drippy, and runny nut butter for easy mixing with other ingredients. Other types of nut butter like peanut or cashew, or seed butters (such as sunflower seed butter for those with nut allergies) also work.
Sweetener - any sticky sweetener (like honey or maple syrup) will work to add sweetness and help the ingredients bind together.
Ground flaxseed - for added nutrition and healthy fats.
Vanilla extract - enhance the flavour with a touch of vanilla extract; a little goes a long way in producing some rich vanilla notes.
Pinch of salt - a pinch of salt helps elevate the flavours.
Raisins - for delicious, natural sweetness and some yummy chewiness - as well as an energy boost!
Chopped pecans - you can use whatever kinds of nuts you like.
Chia seeds - for some crunchy texture, fibre and protein.
Ground cinnamon - really takes the flavour to a different level with some warm and cozy vibes. A perfect compliment to nuts and raisins.

Instructions

ingredients for making oatmeal raisin energy balls

STEP 1: Combine the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Begin by blending all the dry components separately, then mix in the wet ingredients.

mixing ingredients for making oatmeal raisin energy balls

STEP 2: Mix everything together thoroughly until well combined.

STEP 3: Check the mixture's consistency to make sure it easily forms into a ball. If it's too loose and moist, add a small amount of dry ingredients like oats or seeds. If it's too dry and crumbly, add a touch of water or honey. Mix once more until you reach the desired consistency.

STEP 4: Roll the mixture into roughly 1-inch sized balls, yielding around 16 balls, depending on your preferred size. To speed things up, use a cookie scoop for portioning, then form the balls by rolling them between your palms.

STEP 5: Arrange the balls on a plate or baking tray lined with parchment paper. Refrigerate for roughly 1 hour to allow them to firm up.

STEP 6: When they're ready, take them out and enjoy!

Storage

You can store the energy balls in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 2 months. I recommend using a sealable container or freezer bag to ensure freshness for longer and avoid freezer burn. I love using these Rubbermaid containers for meal prep — they're freezer-safe with sturdy, sealable lids.

Toasty's Tips

If you'd like, you can coat the energy balls in cocoa powder or coconut flakes for a delicious outer layer.
When shaping the mixture into balls, keep a small bowl of water nearby for dipping your hands. Wetting your hands prevents the mixture from sticking to them. Or you can also use food-safe gloves for easy, mess-free handling.
Use a cookie scoop to portion out the balls onto a baking tray - this ensures you end up with consistently sized balls and speeds up the process.
For larger quantities, simply scale up the ingredients by doubling or tripling them to share with friends and family.
These energy balls are perfect for snacking, but can also be enjoyed for breakfast (I like to pair mine with yogurt and sliced fruit!).

FAQ

What do I do if the mixture is too wet and loose, or dry and crumbly to mould into balls?

When shaping the mixture into balls, it should bind together without crumbling. If it's too dry and crumbly, consider adding liquid such as water or honey, mixing one tablespoon at a time until achieving the desired consistency for easy moulding. Or if it's too wet and loose, you can add in additional dry ingredients like oats, nuts, or seeds.

Can I add protein powder to these energy balls?

You bet! Adding protein powder is a fantastic way to boost the protein content of your energy balls. I personally prefer using unsweetened and unflavoured protein powder so that I can customize the flavour myself, but feel free to use whatever you like.

It's important to note that when adding in dry ingredients like protein powder, you may need to adjust the moisture content of the mixture. If you find the mixture too dry and crumbly to mold, simply add water or honey, one tablespoon at a time, until you achieve the desired texture. This ensures that the energy balls hold together well and maintain their shape.

I don't like raisins - can I use other types of dried fruit?

Absolutely! Some of my favourite dried fruits to use in this recipe are dried cranberries, dried blueberries, and sliced up dried apricots. They all provide a tasty, chewy texture with a natural sweetness and energy boost.

I'm allergic to nuts. Do I have to use nut butter?

You can find many great nut-free alternatives that are perfect for replacing nut butter in your recipes. Among the most popular options are seed butters, including sunflower butter, pumpkin seed butter, and tahini. These boast a comparable nutty flavour and creamy texture, making them excellent choices for this recipe.