Lemon Poppy Seed Energy Balls made with almond butter, oats, dates, a generous amount of lemon zest, poppy seeds, hemp seeds, and optional protein powder.
You’re looking at my new favorite energy ball recipe!
I modeled the recipe off of my No Bake Power Balls and my Cranberry Almond Protein Balls, and spruced up the formula with an all-new lemon poppy seed flavor.
These Lemon Poppy Seed Energy Balls are everything that is dreamy in this world, combined into one perfect bite.
The wholesome ingredients combined add up to a healthful snack that contains healthy fats, protein, and carbohydrates.
Plus, they taste GREAT!
Let’s dive into the basic ingredients for these luscious lumps!
Ingredients for Lemon Poppy Seed Energy Balls:
Unsweetened Almond Butter: The substance that glues it all together! We need some form of nut butter or seed butter. I think almond butter tastes the best in this recipe, because it allows the lemon poppy seed flavors to shine through.
The next best replacement to almond butter is cashew butter, as the flavor is also subtle and not overpowering.
Quick Oats: Acting as a sort of flour to help bind the ingredients, oats also bring complex carbohydrates and fiber to these tasty little lemon poppy seed energy bites.
For gluten-free lemon poppyseed energy bites, use certified gluten-free oats. I use gluten-free sprouted oats.
Protein Powder (optional): Contributing a boost of protein, protein powder balances out this snack so that it includes all three macronutrients.
I use unsweetened unflavored protein powders. Naked whey protein and egg white protein are my go-tos.
Vanilla protein powder works in any protein ball recipe. Just note that you will be able to taste it.
Medjool Dates: The sweetener! I like using medjool dates for natural sweetness, as well as a sort of sticky glue to help combine all of the ingredients. Adjust the amount of dates to your taste.
Hemp Seeds: Adding a boost of omega-3 fatty acids, I love that hemp seeds bring more nutrition to this healthy snack.
Lemon Zest: This is where things get real! We need a whopping 2 tablespoons of lemon zest for big lemon flavor. This requires the zest of 3 to 4 large lemons!
I know it sounds like a lot. However, the flavor is simply the best with a substantial amount of zest!
Poppy Seeds: Bringing that iconic poppy seed flair, we need – you guessed it – poppy seeds!
Sea Salt: It may feel counterintuitive to add salt to a sweet snack, but trust me on this one. Salt enhances flavors in a big way.
In this sense, the balls taste more lemony, sweeter, and richer with the addition of salt.
Recipe Customizations:
- Swap the hemp seeds out for flax seeds, chia seeds, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds.
- Omit the protein powder and add ½ cup of additional oats or unsweetened shredded coconut
- If you have pure vanilla extract on hand, add 1 teaspoon.
- Use 1/2 cup oat flour instead of oats if you’d like.
- Swap the dates out for 3 to 5 tablespoons of pure maple syrup.
Now that we’ve covered the simple ingredients, let’s make these zesty protein balls!
How to Make Lemon Poppy Seed Energy Balls:
Add all of the ingredients for the energy balls to a food processor. Process until all of the ingredients are combined and a very thick dough forms.
You may need to stop the food processor a couple of times to scrape the sides with a rubber spatula in order to help blend the ingredients.
Add water 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time, blending well in between each addition, until the energy ball mixture is easy to press together.
For me, this took 3 tablespoons of water. Note: you can also use a little fresh lemon juice instead of water if you’d like.
Form balls out of the energy bite mixture, making any size you would like. I make 18 balls.
Store in a zip lock bag or an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Freeze in a zip lock bag for up to 3 months.
Your newest snack obsession? Fulfilled.
Keep this energy bite recipe on constant rotation for weekday snacking! I love enjoying one after a meal or employing one as a way of soothing my hangry soul in between meals.
It is the perfect healthy snack idea to honor your sweet tooth using healthy ingredients.
If you love making energy bite recipes like this one, also try out some of my other favorite ball recipes.
More Energy Ball Recipes:
- Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Oatmeal Protein Balls
- Fig and Date Balls
- Cranberry Orange Protein Balls
- Pumpkin Spice Protein Balls
- Low-Carb Peanut Butter Protein Balls
Celebrate delicious lemon poppy seed flavor in these tasty no bake energy bites!
Lemon Poppy Seed Energy Balls
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened almond butter *
- ⅔ cup quick oats or rolled oats
- ½ cup protein powder or more oats
- 2 Tbsp hemp seeds optional
- 6 to 8 pitted medjool dates or 3 to 5 Tbsp pure maple syrup, to taste
- 2 Tbsp lemon zest
- 1 Tbsp poppy seeds
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 2-6 Tbsp water**
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients for the energy balls to a food processor. Process until all of the ingredients are combined and a very thick dough forms. You may need to stop the food processor a couple of times to scrape the sides with a rubber spatula in order to help blend the ingredients.
- Add water 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time, blending well in between each addition, until the energy ball mixture is easy to press together. For me, this took 3 tablespoons of water. Note: you can also use a little fresh lemon juice instead of water if you’d like.
- Form balls out of the energy bite mixture, making any size you would like. I make 18 balls.
- Store in a zip lock bag or an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Freeze in a zip lock bag for up to 3 months.
Notes
Nutrition
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