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Home » Blog » Recipes » Peanut Butter and Jelly Energy Balls (Vegan, Paleo)

Peanut Butter and Jelly Energy Balls (Vegan, Paleo)

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These peanut-free “PB&J” Energy Balls are made with just nuts and fruit (and a pinch of salt). They’re portable no-bake Paleo and vegan healthy snacks that taste just like peanut butter and jelly!

An overhead shot of a bowl of “PB&J” Energy Balls, no-bake Paleo and vegan healthy snacks!

Peanut Free!

Nope—there’s actually no peanut butter or jelly in these bite-size “PB&J” energy balls, but their nutty crunch and sweet strawberry flavor never fail to bring back fond memories of munching on my favorite after-school snack. In fact, I created this recipe for our latest cookbook, Ready or Not!, because I wanted a portable and crave-worthy bite that’s easily made in a flash. (If you don’t already own a copy of our second cookbook, what are you waiting for? Buy one here!)

5 Healthy Ingredients!

Unlike the PB&J sandwiches I used to make for myself, these homemade no-bake treats are made with just nuts and fruit (and a pinch of salt). So when you need a pick-me-up after a long run, a hard workout, or an afternoon of gardening like a maniac, just pop a ball or two in your mouth, and I guarantee you’ll feel like a kid again. And yes, your kids will love them, too!

More Tips!

Feel free to substitute another freeze-dried fruit of your choice for the strawberries to mix things up. I’ve had great success blitzing up these energy balls with freeze-dried blueberries and raspberries. Also, if your dates have been hanging out in your pantry for a while and are no longer super moist, add a few drops of water when you’re blending them together, and your balls will form beautifully!

Let’s Make PB and J Energy Balls!

Makes 15 balls (I eat 2 balls as a snack)

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup (10 grams) freeze-dried strawberries
  • ½ cup (60 grams) dry-roasted unsalted almonds
  • 1 cup (150 grams) pitted and chopped dried Medjool dates
  • Diamond Crystal brand kosher salt
  • ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut, toasted in a 300°F oven until golden, about 3 minutes

Equipment:

  • Food processor
  • Large bowl
  • Silicone spatula
  • Shallow plate or parchment paper

 Method:

Pulse the freeze-dried strawberries in a food processor until it forms a powder. Let the pink dust settle.

Someone using a food processor to turn freeze dried raspberries into powder.

Toss in the almonds.

A closeup of toasted whole almonds on berry powder in a food processor.

Pulse to roughly chop the almonds. Transfer the chopped almonds and strawberry powder to another bowl.

A closeup of the powdered fruit and chopped nuts used to make “PB&J” Energy Balls.

Throw the dates into the now-empty food processor bowl, and pulse a few times to roughly chop up the pieces. Then, pulverize the dates until they form a sticky ball that thwacks against the side of the work bowl. (If your dates are especially dry, you can add a few drops of water to get the right consistency.)

A closeup of date paste in a food processor work bowl.

Add the strawberry powder, almonds, and a pinch of salt to the sticky date paste in the food processor bowl.

Adding the powdered berries and chopped almonds to the date paste in the work bowl of an open food processor.

Pulse a few times until combined. The result should be a dense mass that comes together as a nutty dough. If it doesn’t come together, add a few drops of water and pulse again!

Someone forming the dough of “PB&J” Energy Balls with her hands.

Pinch off about a tablespoon of the dough and roll it in your palms to form a smooth ball. Repeat ’til you’re out of dough.

Rolling “PB&J” Energy Balls in between two hands.

Put the toasted shredded coconut in a shallow plate or a piece of parchment paper. Toss each of the balls into the coconut, making sure to coat the entire surface.

Tossing “PB&J” Energy Balls into toasted shredded coconut.

You can refrigerate your balls in a covered container for up to 1 week, or freeze ’em for up to a month.

A closeup of a tray of “PB&J” Energy Balls, healthy paleo and vegan snacks.

Want to make a tropical energy ball? Throw together a batch of Liar Balls!


Looking for more recipe ideas? Head on over to my Recipe Index. You’ll also find exclusive recipes on my iPhone and iPad app, and in my cookbooks, Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2013), Ready or Not! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2017), and Nom Nom Paleo: Let’s Go! (Andrews McMeel Publishing 2021).


 PRINTER-FRIENDLY RECIPE CARD

“PB&J” Energy Balls by Michelle Tam https://nomnompaleo.com
Print Recipe
5 from 9 votes

Peanut Butter and Jelly Energy Balls

Nope—there’s actually no peanut butter or jelly in these bite-size "PB&J" energy balls, but their nutty crunch and sweet strawberry flavor never fail to bring back fond memories of munching on my favorite after-school snack. In fact, I created this recipe for our latest cookbook, Ready or Not!, because I wanted a portable and crave-worthy bite that’s easily made in a flash. (If you don’t already own a copy of our second cookbook, what are you waiting for? Buy one here!)
Unlike the PB&J sandwiches I used to make for myself, these homemade treats are made with just nuts and fruit (and a pinch of salt). So when you need a pick-me-up after a long run, a hard workout, or an afternoon of gardening like a maniac, just pop a ball or two in your mouth, and I guarantee you’ll feel like a kid again. And yes, your kids will love them, too!
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time15 mins
Total Time20 mins
Course: Snack
Cuisine: Energy Balls, Gluten-free, Paleo, Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 15 balls
Calories: 95kcal
Author: Michelle Tam

Ingredients

  • ½ cup freeze-dried strawberries
  • ½ cup dry-roasted unsalted almonds
  • 1 cup pitted and chopped dried Medjool dates
  • Diamond Crystal brand kosher salt
  • ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut toasted in a 300°F oven until golden, about 3 minutes
US Customary - Metric

Instructions 

  • Pulse the freeze-dried strawberries in a food processor until it forms a powder. Let the pink dust settle.
  • Toss in the almonds. Pulse to roughly chop the almonds. Transfer the chopped almonds and strawberry powder to another bowl.
  • Throw the dates into the now-empty food processor bowl, and pulse a few times to roughly chop up the pieces. Then, pulverize the dates until they form a sticky ball that thwacks against the side of the work bowl. (If your dates are especially dry, you can add a few drops of water to get the right consistency.)
  • Add the strawberry powder, almonds, and a pinch of salt to the sticky date paste in the food processor bowl. Pulse a few times until combined. The result should be a dense mass that comes together as a nutty dough. If it doesn’t come together, add a few drops of water and pulse again!
  • Pinch off about a tablespoon of the dough and roll it in your palms to form a smooth ball. Repeat ’til you’re out of dough.
  • Put the toasted shredded coconut in a shallow plate or a piece of parchment paper. Toss each of the balls into the coconut, making sure to coat the entire surface.
  • You can refrigerate your balls in a covered container for up to 1 week, or freeze ’em for up to a month.

Video

Notes

Feel free to substitute another freeze-dried fruit of your choice for the strawberries to mix things up. I’ve had great success blitzing up these energy balls with freeze-dried blueberries and raspberries. Also, if your dates have been hanging out in your pantry for a while and are no longer super moist, add a few drops of water when you’re blending them together, and your balls will form beautifully!
Tried this recipe?Mention @nomnompaleo or tag #nomnompaleo!

Nutrition

Calories: 95kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Fiber: 2g
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lois Chisum Hudson says

    October 17, 2017 at 12:38 am

    My kids loved these!!

    Reply
    • nomnompaleo says

      October 17, 2017 at 1:29 am

      Yay!

      Reply
  2. Kristin says

    October 17, 2017 at 2:19 pm

    Yum! I make a version of these with cashews and cocoa powder already, so thanks for the idea to use strawberries.

    Reply
  3. Sophia Medrano says

    October 17, 2017 at 5:39 pm

    Can there be a substiute for the coocunut? I´m allergic.

    Reply
    • nomnompaleo says

      October 17, 2017 at 5:42 pm

      You can leave it out! Alternatively, you can roll them in toasted almond slices.

      Reply
      • Sophia Medrano says

        October 17, 2017 at 5:44 pm

        Thanks!

        Reply
      • Helene Kremer says

        October 17, 2017 at 7:53 pm

        Love this recipe as it can easily be adapted to a savory one with added spices and rolled into sesame seeds. Thanks!

        Reply
  4. John Crosby says

    October 17, 2017 at 7:53 pm

    Michelle, these are delicious. I’ve been meaning to tell you that 1 Tbs Brain Octane is a nice addition. It helps with binding and rolling and it provides ketones in presence of carbs.

    Reply
  5. Cassie says

    October 17, 2017 at 10:49 pm

    OMG, I love that this recipe is also vegan friendly! I tried a very similar-tasting treat when I went to Whole Foods and bought those peanut butter and jelly R bars and peanut butter and jelly Larabars–they both tasted so delicious! I’m very curious to try these energy balls and see how the almonds will complement the strawberries. Yummy!

    Reply
  6. prattenberg. says

    October 25, 2017 at 11:45 am

    Perfect! What a delicious paleo treat. And I assume it’s also perfect for taking outdoors like when geocaching, as the balls are solid enough. Thank you for showing this to us!

    Reply
  7. Kate says

    October 27, 2017 at 11:10 pm

    I made these today with raspberry! So good! I will definitely try with strawberry next time.
    When I made these, after adding the nut/berry mixture back to the dates, it didn’t quite come together like in your picture. I was able to get the mix to ball-up by hand, but I wonder if I should have added a little water anyway, even though it was otherwise working just fine?

    Reply
    • nomnompaleo says

      October 27, 2017 at 11:15 pm

      If you can smush it together, there is no need to add water!

      Reply
  8. Erin says

    November 3, 2017 at 2:48 pm

    Delicious! Thank you! Today I am trying toasted hazelnut meal and pears.

    Reply
  9. Cari Derbitsky says

    November 5, 2017 at 11:08 pm

    Where do you buy the freeze dried fruit from? Do you buy organic? They seem to be crazy expensive in Canada 🙁

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      November 9, 2017 at 2:09 am

      If you have Aldi near you, they sell them there.

      Reply
  10. Pamela says

    November 9, 2017 at 2:10 am

    These are delicious! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  11. Jenny says

    November 16, 2017 at 4:37 pm

    My mixture didn’t come together in the food processor either, but I just dumped it out on a sheet pan and smooshed it all together. Next time I might add a few more drops of water. I made a double batch and only got 17 balls! Must have rolled them too big 🙂 These are delicious but I would like a more pronounced strawberry flavor, maybe next time I will try rolling them in some pulverized dried strawberries. Thanks for the recipe.

    Reply
  12. Raquel James says

    November 25, 2017 at 12:27 am

    Just made these today. So freaking good! Will definitely try with blueberry or other freeze-dried fruits. I used a small melon-baller for uniform-sized balls, which worked great. I did need to add a little water for it to look like your “dough” in the photo, but was super simple to do with the photo as a reference. I made a double batch, which is the way to go. Will DEFINITELY make these again! Thank you, Michelle!

    Reply
  13. Barbara Duncan says

    December 5, 2017 at 8:12 pm

    Could this be done using dried, unsweetened cranberries, cherries or blueberries (instead of freeze dried fruit?)

    Reply
  14. Emily Glasgo says

    August 11, 2020 at 2:30 pm

    Hi,
    Does the fruit have to be freeze dried, can I just used frozen fruit?
    Thanks

    Reply
    • nomnompaleo says

      August 11, 2020 at 2:30 pm

      They have to be free dried! Frozen fruit will be too moist and mushy.

      Reply
  15. Cherise Morris says

    August 11, 2020 at 2:30 pm

    Has anyone tried this with the dried strawberry powder? Wondering how the measurements would change.

    Reply
  16. Ashley Regal says

    August 20, 2020 at 8:01 pm

    5 stars
    So good! These taste just like peanut butter and jelly! I found that I like them even better without the coconut, since it gives more of a traditional PB&J flavor.

    Reply
  17. Katie says

    December 23, 2020 at 5:26 pm

    5 stars
    These are delicious! I skipped the coconut, used salted roasted almonds (and skipped the pinch of salt), and made a double batch (somehow still only got 18). Love that these are so flavorful with so few ingredients. Freeze dried strawberries are such an awesome product – smelling them takes me right back to summer! Yum!

    Reply
  18. Patrick says

    October 20, 2021 at 11:10 pm

    After a few attempts as written, I added 3T of almond butter and finally got a “dough” to work with. I used a 1T disher and got 15 (and a half) balls. Nom!

    Reply
    • Michelle Tam says

      October 21, 2021 at 3:55 pm

      You can add a little water if your dates are dry!

      Reply
  19. Sarah says

    September 4, 2022 at 8:05 pm

    I’m trying whole30 this month for the first time and hoping to make these. Would these be whole30 or do we think the freeze dried strawberries would be out of bounds due to added sugar?

    Reply
    • Regina Chan says

      September 5, 2022 at 2:51 pm

      Technically this recipe and any Paleo sweets aren’t considered Whole30 because one of the official rules is to avoid treats even with “approved” ingredients. Michelle has a “Whole30” filter on her blog so you can easily search what’s Whole30 or not!

      Reply

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