Cranberry-Orange Energy Balls

These Cranberry-Orange Energy Balls are sure to be one of your favorite fall snacks. Sweet dates and honey balance out the tartness of the dried cranberries, while coconut contributes a subtle tropical feel. Fiber-rich oats provide energy and wholesomeness, and almond butter helps bring all the ingredients together while also adding protein. Orange juice and zest spike these balls with a citrusy finish. Keep reading for expert tips, including how to ensure uniformly sized balls. 

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

• Medjool dates are a little softer and chewier than Deglet Noor dates, so you don’t have to soften them in hot water before using them in this recipe. 
• Use a cookie scoop or ice cream scoop for more uniform energy balls.
• If the energy balls are warming up and getting sticky while you’re rolling them, you can use gloves, slightly wet hands or lightly coat your hands with cooking spray. You can also try refrigerating the dough for a couple of hours and then forming the balls.
• Drizzle a little white chocolate over the top of the energy balls for some extra flair.

Nutrition Notes

• The orange, cranberry and dates in these energy balls add antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that are necessary for overall good health. Known for their vitamin C, oranges support immune and skin health. And while cranberries in their whole state contain vitamin C, they lose most of it during the drying process. With that said, dried cranberries still provide gut-friendly fiber. Dates come in with more fiber and nutrients that benefit heart health. 
• Heart-healthy oats provide complex carbohydrates and fiber, which slows down digestion and provides a steady supply of energy. Oats are known for their ability to help lower cholesterol. They also provide plant-based iron, which the vitamin C in the orange juice and zest will help your body absorb.
• The almond butter in this recipe not only acts as a binder to hold the ingredients together but it also adds plant protein, healthy fats, iron, fiber and vitamin E. The vitamin E in almond butter acts as an antioxidant, combating oxidative damage to your cells and protecting the heart.  
• Coconut is one of those foods that has been controversial over the years. This is mostly due to its saturated fat content. According to the USDA, 1 tablespoon of unsweetened shredded coconut has 10 grams of fat, 9 of which are saturated fat. However, just as scientists are questioning whether the saturated fat in dairy and eggs are as harmful as the saturated fat in highly processed foods, they’re also raising the question with coconut. Coconut adds some fiber, plant protein and antioxidants to these energy balls.