These No-Bake Chia Seed Nut Butter Energy Balls are an easy and healthy recipe made with only 6 clean, real food ingredients. They're the perfect plant-based snack that can be made in about 5 minutes using your favorite nut butter!
These Raw Chia Seed Nutter Butter Energy Balls are a quick and nutrient-dense snack to have on hand.
They are super easy to make and a perfect snack for adults and kids alike.
I love to use chia seeds whenever I can because they are a good source of vegan calcium, fiber and keep you feeling full for longer.
These are made with almond butter, but you can use your favorite nut butter.
I've also used peanut butter and they were really good too.
Make sure you read in my tips below about adjusting the amount of almond flour you use depending on the type of nut butter you use since they vary in consistency.
This is a clean eating snack that's ready in about 5 minutes and is raw, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo-friendly and contains no refined sugar.
The nut butter I chose in the Raw Chia Seed Nut Butter Ball version was organic almond butter.
Expert Tips + Ingredient Substitutions
Here are some expert tips to make this recipe perfectly:
Almond Butter: This recipe can be made with your favorite nut butter, such as homemade almond butter, homemade peanut butter, homemade cashew butter or even sunflower butter.
Maple Syrup: You can substitute with your favorite liquid sweetener. For example, organic date nectar, organic brown rice syrup or organic coconut nectar.
Coconut Flour: I added coconut flour to this recipe to absorb any extra oils in the nut butter. Depending on the consistency of the nut butter you use, you may need to add additional coconut flour so the mixture can be shaped into a ball. For example:
- Runny Nut Butter - You would need to start with 1/4 cup coconut flour, then add (1) extra tablespoon until it thickens enough to form a ball - but only as needed! Too much coconut flour will make the balls extremely dry.
- Creamy Nut Butter - You may not need to add the coconut flour at all. Mix everything together without the coconut flour and if the mixture is firm enough to form a ball, you can omit it. If the mixture needs a little extra firmness, add the 1/4 cup of coconut flour.
Coconut Oil: If you don't like the taste or flavor of coconut oil, use organic refined coconut oil which has zero coconut taste or flavor.
Chia Seeds: If you don't like or don't have any chia seeds, you could roll the balls in unsweetened shredded coconut, hemp seeds, sesame seeds, etc.
Want More Healthy Plant-Based No-Bake Dessert Recipes?
Check out these:
- Healthy Peanut Butter Cups
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Bark
- Clean Eating Copycat Peanut Butter Tagalongs
- or my CLEAN DESSERTS Cookbook with 72 plant-based no-bake desserts made with clean, real food ingredients just like this one that you will love!
Did You Make This Recipe?
I'd love to hear about it! Please give it a rating and leave a comment below...it would make my day! 🙂
Gluten-Free Vegan No-Bake Chia Seed Nut Butter Energy Balls
Ingredients
For the balls:
- 1 cup organic almond butter
- 2/3 cups organic almond flour
- 1/4 cup organic maple syrup
- 1/4 cup organic coconut flour
- 1 tablespoon organic coconut oil
For the topping:
- 1/4 cup organic chia seeds
Instructions
- Prepare a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, then set aside.
Prepare the balls:
- Add all ingredients for the balls to a medium-size mixing bowl and stir until everything is well combined.
- Depending on the consistency of the nut butter you use, you may need to add additional coconut flour so they are firm enough to roll into a ball shape. If the balls are too soft and don't hold their shape, gradually add a little more coconut flour until they reach a firm consistency. Start with 1/4 cup of coconut flour, then add (1) tablespoon extra at a time but only if needed.
- Take out a spoonful out at a time and roll into bite-sized balls with the palms of your hands.
- Place the balls onto the prepared cookie sheet.
Assembly:
- Add the chia seeds to a small bowl.
- Roll each nut butter ball in the chia seeds until they are completely covered, then place them back onto the cookie sheet.
- Transfer the cookie sheet to the freezer for approximately 10-15 minutes, or until firm.
- Store in an air-tight BPA-free container in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to serve because they will get soft and lose their shape if left out at room temperature.
Notes
- Runny Nut Butter - You would need to start with 1/4 cup coconut flour, then add (1) extra tablespoon until it thickens enough to form a ball - but only as needed! Too much coconut flour will make the balls extremely dry.
- Creamy Nut Butter - You may not need to add the coconut flour at all. Mix everything together without the coconut flour and if the mixture is firm enough to form a ball, you can omit it. If the mixture needs a little extra firmness, add the 1/4 cup of coconut flour.
Nutrition
Hi, I'm Karielyn! I'm the published cookbook author of CLEAN DESSERTS and content creator of The Healthy Family and Home website since 2012. I specialize in creating easy, healthy plant-based recipes that are gluten-free + vegan and made with clean, real food ingredients that you can feel good about eating.
Amanda Jackson says
These look awesome! But the last time I ate chia seeds without first soaking them I got severe stomach pains. I looked it up online and read several places that you must always soak them before eating because they expand so much in the stomach it can cause discomfort. What are your thoughts?
Otherwise I really want to try these!
Karielyn says
Hi there Amanda! It is definitely a good idea to always soak and dry your nuts and seeds before eating them, but maybe not chia seeds...depending on what you will be making with them.
It is true that chia seeds will expand when soaked, and they will also turn into a "gel-like" texture. For this recipe, it would not be good to soak them beforehand because they wouldn't work as a crunchy coating for the outside of the nut butter balls. It would be ok to soak them when they are used in a "wet" recipe like chia pudding, smoothie bowl, smoothie, etc., but I really wouldn't suggest soaking them for this recipe.
I've never experienced stomach pains or digestive issues when eating chia seeds unsoaked, but everyone is different 🙂 If you think they will upset your stomach, you could always just make the nut butter balls and roll them in hemp seeds or sesame seeds, both of which would still give you a crunchy coating and are nutrient-dense.
Thanks so much for your question and I hope you enjoy the recipe 🙂
Julie says
Did you change this recipe? I have had the link saved for a while and have made these a ton, but now the recipe looks different - I don't think I used coconut oil??
Karielyn says
Hi there Julie! I did! I tweaked it a little because I make them a little different every time and this is the combination of the way I've been making them the most.
If you try the updated version, I'd love to know which one you like better 🙂
Caroline says
Thanks for the quick reply Karielyn! I made these tonight as a snack for my week ahead...so good!
Karielyn says
Hi Caroline! You're very welcome! 🙂
Caroline says
Instead of coconut flour would almond flour be an appropriate substitute?
Karielyn says
Hi Caroline! Yes, you could substitute the coconut flour with almond flour. I would just start with an equal to equal substitution amount and then gradually add an extra tablespoon at a time until they are firm enough to roll into a ball shape.
Thanks for your question and I hope you enjoy the recipe 🙂
nerida says
I just made these for my boys. I didn't have coconut flour so I cheekily used cocoa. They loved them. They're delicious. I also tried out the chocolate chia seed pudding you described in the last post. Brilliant my boys loved it.
Karielyn says
Hi Nerida! Oh wow...I would have never thought to use cocoa but I bet that was good!
In fact, I was getting ready to make another snack for today and I think I will try that out...I've already made two servings of the chia pudding this morning.
And I love how your boys eat the chia seeds...they are so nutritious!
Thanks for sharing your tip and I'm so glad you enjoyed them 🙂
Robin says
Hi Kariely,
I am obviously starting with your super simple recipes! LOL But this was another winner! Finished these just in time for my Husband to take a few on his way to water polo practice. He really enjoyed them and said that they seemed to give him more energy during practice. I bought some coconut flour about a month ago and had no idea what to do with it, so I will search your site for more ways to use this unique product.
~Robin
Karielyn says
Hi Robin! Chia seeds are the bomb! They're known as "runner's food" because of the energy it gives you. The aztec's used to consume them when traveling long distances. It also has great fiber, calcium and omega's. I LOVE chia seeds!
I have a chocolate chia seed pudding I have been eating everyday for the past two weeks that I haven't posted yet, but you use 1/2 cup non-dairy milk, 1 tbs cacao, 2 tbs chia seeds and 1 tbs sweetener of your choice (I use 1/2 smashed banana). Stir it well and put in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes until it gets thick. It is soooo good and filling!
And I love the coconut flour too because it's gluten-free.
I'm glad you liked them...thanks for taking the time to let me know, I really appreciate it 🙂
Emily says
These were AWESOME! What kind of nut butter do you use when you make them?
Karielyn says
Hi Emily! I've made these with several different types of nut butter, but in the photos for this recipe, I used organic almond butter.
Thanks for your question and I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe 🙂