These lemon energy balls are easy to make and packed with healthy ingredients to keep you powered and focused. Full of protein and healthy fat and naturally sweetened with no refined sugars, these energy balls offer a bright pop of citrus flavor and energy that lasts for hours.
When I'm on the go, I love to keep protein-packed snacks on hand so I can stay focused without a growling stomach distracting me. That's why you'll find recipes like cashew protein balls and protein granola squares here at Golden Grace Kitchen.
These portable bites of protein make it easy to fill up when I'm out and about, and they make it much easier for me to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Now, I've added these lemon energy balls to my collection, and they are so good. They're also good for you!
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Why You'll Love These Lemon Energy Balls
- Simple Ingredients: This recipe only takes a handful of simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store.
- Easy to Make: All you have to do is mix, roll, and coat!
- Delicious: The lemon, coconut, and cashew flavors work so well together.
- Healthy: These energy balls are full of protein and healthy fats and have ZERO refined sugar.
- Portable: Throw a few in a baggie to keep with you when you're on the go.
Ingredients
- Cashews: Cashews create the rich, nutty base for these energy balls.
- Shredded Coconut: Shredded coconut adds a rich, tropical flavor to the balls.
- Lemon Juice and Zest: Lemon juice and zest give the energy balls a pop of citrus flavor.
- Maple Syrup: Mapley syrup sweetens the balls without refined sugar.
- Almond Flour: Almond flour helps bind the balls together.
- Hemp Seeds: Nutiva hemp seeds provide a ton of Omega fatty acids, vitamins, and protein.
See the recipe card at the end of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact amounts.
Flavor Variations
- Orange: Use orange juice and zest in place of lemon.
- Chocolate Chips: Chocolate chips are a tasty addition to these energy balls.
- Dried Fruit: Mixing in dried fruit enhances the flavor so much.
How to Make This Lemon Energy Balls Recipe
1: Blend the cashews and shredded coconut in a food processor with an S blade until it's well blended and thick.
2: Add the lemon juice, zest, and maple syrup and blend again until a dough forms. Then, add the hemp seeds and almond flour and mix again. Add another tablespoon of almond flour if the dough is too wet.
3: Scoop out the dough with a cookie scoop and roll it into balls with your hands. Then, roll them in a small bowlful of coconut to coat. Chill to set.
Hint
A rubber spatula is the easiest way to stir your hemp seeds and almond flour into the dough. It moves everything around nicely and there are no ridges for the dough to get stuck in.
Storage
Refrigerate these balls for up to a week in an airtight container. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 3 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag with as much air removed as possible.
Defrost at room temperature before serving.
Pairing Suggestions
These energy balls are great all on their own as a healthy snack when you're on the go. You could also make them part of a larger breakfast or brunch with fun finger foods like chocolate protein muffins, cinnamon oatmeal cups, or egg muffins.
Tips for the Best Lemon Coconut Energy Balls
- It's important to use the S blade for blending the ingredients. It breaks up the cashews the best and mixes well.
- Mix the hemp seeds and almond flour into the dough. Don't blend it with the food processor. You want the seeds to stay intact.
- If you're bringing your energy balls with you, I recommend leaving them slightly frozen so they're not too soft when you eat them.
More Coconut Recipes
Lemon Energy Ball Questions
Hemp seeds are extremely healthy. Their little packages are packed with omega fatty acids, protein, fiber, antioxidants, and minerals.
Hemp seeds come from a variety of cannabis plants that are not psychoactive. It's the same plant used to make hemp rope and other fiber materials. It has an almost undetectable amount of THC which will produce zero psychoactive effects. Anyone can eat them, and they're extremely good for you.
This is a somewhat wet dough. However, if you're finding it sticky or hard to work with, simply add a little more almond flour - a tablespoon at a time - to thicken it up.
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📖 Recipe
Lemon Energy Balls
Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup cashews
- 2 cups shredded coconut for the energy balls
- ½ cup shredded coconut to coat the balls
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 2 tablespoon lemon zest
- 3 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 tbsp hemp seeds
- 2 tablespoon almond flour
Instructions
- Blend the cashews and shredded coconut in a food processor with the S blade attachment until they become a thick mixture.
- Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and maple syrup. Blend again until a sticky dough forms.
- Transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl. Then, use a spatula to mix in the hemp seeds and almond flour.
- Use a cookie scoop to scoop out the batter and roll it into balls. Roll the balls into a small bowl with the ½ cup of coconut to coat the balls.
- Place the balls in the refrigerator and chill for 30 minutes.
Notes
- It is a bit of extra work but so worth it to use fresh lemons! You can use the zest, and the natural flavor is so much better than concentrate.
- You can always think about adding some unflavored protein powder to really kick up the health factor and get more protein into your diet.
- These can easily last a couple weeks in the freezer so buy your items in bulk, make a big batch and then you will be able to store them for a quick on-the-go snack!
Tisha says
This is a great way to curve that sweet tooth without the guilt.
Lathiya says
I really enjoyed these lemon energy balls. The tanginess and the crunchiness of the coconut really go hand in hand.
Juyali says
Made these today, and they were so good! Love the fresh lemon flavor!
Claudia says
These lemon energy balls are a game-changer! Quick to make, tangy, and packed with energy—perfect for a snack on the go!
Nora says
These lemon energy balls are such a refreshing and nutritious snack! The bright citrus flavor pairs perfectly with the natural sweetness, and they’re packed with protein and healthy fats to keep me going. Perfect for a quick pick-me-up during the day!