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These delicious cranberry almond energy balls are the perfect snack for that midday slump. Made with simple, wholesome ingredients, they’re a healthy and satisfying treat that will keep you energized without the dreaded sugar crash. Homemade protein balls are perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth while getting a dose of healthy fats, and protein. 

I’ve swapped out refined sugar for the natural sweetness of tart, unsweetened dried cranberries making this a low-sugar energy ball recipe  For an added crunch and a protein boost, I’ve added walnuts and creamy almond butter. The shredded coconut adds a touch of mild sweetness and additional texture.

The best part? These energy balls are incredibly easy to make!  No baking required – just combine all the ingredients in a bowl, roll them into bite-sized balls, and enjoy.

These no-sugar-added cranberry energy balls are keto-friendly and perfect for anyone watching their sugar intake, thanks to the natural sweetness of dried cranberries and unsweetened coconut.

What You Need to Make Cranberry Almond Energy Balls

To make these tasty no-bake cranberry almond energy bites you will need just a few simple ingredients. You can grab all of these items at your local grocery store, and/or online. 

• 1 cup raw walnuts
• 1 cup dried unsweetened cranberries
• 3/4 cup almond butter
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1/2 tsp vanilla bean powder (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)
• 1-2 Tbsp water, as needed
• optional – 1 scoop protein powder

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Energy Balls Ingredients

When it comes to both nuts and nut butter it’s best to opt for raw unsalted nuts, (like these walnuts), and nut butter with no added oils, or sugars (like this one: almond butter). You can swap out the almond butter for peanut butter or cashew butter if you’d like, but then you will lose the almond flavor of these almond energy balls. 

You may notice that it can be difficult to find dried cranberries that are not sweetened with added sugar. Any dried cranberries will work for this recipe, but if you want a truly no-sugar or low-sugar energy balls recipe then you can use these unsweetened cranberries that I found online. Keep in mind that they have a very mild flavor profile without the sugar, which is perfectly fine and healthier than those with the added sugar. Another option is these dried cranberries sweetened with apple juice.

The same applies to the coconut. This is the unsweetened version that I like to use in this energy bite recipe: unsweetened coconut. 

Vanilla bean powder is a rich form of vanilla made from crushed vanilla bean. You can get vanilla bean powder online here: vanilla powder, or substitute with vanilla extract in a 1:2 ratio. For every 1/2 tsp of vanilla bean powder, you would use 1 tsp of pure vanilla extract.

Make sure to check out my protein ball recipe essentials.

How to Make Cranberry Almond Energy Balls

First, using a sharp knife and a cutting board, chop the walnuts into small pieces. 

Then add the chopped walnuts to a large bowl, and add the almond flour.

Next, add the dried cranberries to the bowl.

Add the shredded coconut to the bowl.

Then add the vanilla, and nut butter. 

Since this recipe uses unsweetened ingredients for a low-sugar treat, feel free to add a drizzle of maple syrup, or raw honey, to the mixture if you prefer a sweeter taste.

Stir the ingredients until all of the dry ingredients are fully incorporated with the nut butter. If the mixture seems too dry and crumbly add 1-2 Tbsp of water. 

Then place the bowl in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, or freezer for 10 minutes to let the mixture chill. The mixture will be easier to roll into balls once cold.

How to Roll Cranberry Coconut Energy Balls

Remove the bowl from the fridge and grab a small cookie scoop to roll your no bake energy balls into 1-2″ balls. The cookie scoop is the perfect way to ensure that the small balls are all the same size. 

Scoop the no-bake energy bites and with clean hands roll them into balls. Then place them on a piece of parchment paper.

Store these walnut cranberry almond energy balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks. You can make a double batch and freeze one batch for later. 

Easy Healthy Cranberry Almond Energy Balls Recipe

Conquer cravings and fuel your day the healthy way with these easy healthy cranberry almond energy balls. They are packed with protein-rich walnuts and creamy almond butter, naturally sweetened with tart cranberries, and boasting a delightful crunch from shredded coconut, these no-bake bites are a delicious and satisfying way to keep your energy levels up without a sugar crash.  Plus, the simple recipe requires minimal prep, making them great for afternoon snack time.

These energy balls are a healthy indulgence you can feel good about.

You Might Also Like

Homemade protein balls are some of my favorite healthy snacks. For more homemade energy balls recipes, you will want to check these out. Some are made with gluten free old-fashioned oats, while others include chocolate chips. 

• Strawberry Coconut Balls
• Oatmeal Peanut Butter Balls
• Funfetti Energy Balls

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