When your body starts craving snacks, it’s a sign that you’re low on energy. These high-energy snacks will give you the boost your body is craving!
For many of us, that’s an opportunity to reach for the nearest bag of chips and chow down.
However, that’s not always the healthiest choice! It can be really helpful to have a collection of delicious, nutritious, high-energy snacks waiting when those cravings come calling.
That’s what this list is all about. Read on for a breakdown of twenty-one delicious high-energy snacks you need to try.
Every single one is batch-friendly, so you can whip these up ahead of time and store them for future use.
1. Carrot Cake Energy Bites
Source: allnutritious.com
Let’s kick things off with a personal favorite: my carrot cake energy bites. These energy balls are a no-bake delight that taste just like carrot cake!
The upside of using carrots for this is how many nutrients are packed into these little energy balls. Great if you want an extra healthy sweet snack.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 34
• Fats: 3g
• Protein: 1g
• Carbs: 2g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 1g
2. 5-Ingredient Cashew Energy Balls
Source: allnutritious.com
Cashew energy balls are a great go-to snack. The blended cashews have plenty of healthy fats to dose you with energy, and the mild flavor is a great base for other additions.
You could easily make a batch of these to kick off your week and enjoy them with a cup of coffee in the morning.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 58
• Fats: 3.7g
• Protein: 1.2g
• Carbs: 6.1g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 3.9g
3. Pumpkin Protein Balls
Source: allnutritious.com
If you’re as much of a fan of pumpkin as I am, then these protein balls are for you. These are lightly spiced and feature drops of semi-sweet dark chocolate for an extra kick of energy.
If you’re prone to sweet cravings, then these are the perfect choice to make for the week ahead.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 73
• Fats: 2.2g
• Protein: 3.6g
• Carbs: 7.4g
• Fiber: 1.1g
• Sugar: 2.4g
4. Almond Butter Energy Balls
Source: allnutritious.com
Almond butter is a great resource for energy, and super easy to make a delicious snack with! In this case, these almond butter energy balls are the ideal substitute for a Snickers bar.
Let’s face it, Snickers bars are addictive. But these energy balls taste just as good without spiking your blood sugar!
This is one of the best healthy snacks for work to keep you fueled!
Per Serving:
• Calories: 105
• Fats: 7.5g
• Protein: 3.2g
• Carbs: 7.6g
• Fiber: 1.8g
• Sugar: 4g
5. Chocolate Sea Salt Protein Balls with Peanut Butter
Source: basicswithbails.com
Here’s another take on a candy bar substitute. This time, peanut butter is taking center stage! Blended with cocoa powder and some sea salt, this is a delicious, well-balanced treat.
Your food processor will become your new best friend once you taste these (even if they only take ten minutes to make).
Per Serving:
• Calories: 91
• Fats: 6g
• Protein: 6g
• Carbs: 5g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 2g
6. Lemon Coconut Protein Balls
Source: onecleverchef.com
Most of the energy balls we’ve seen so far have rich or luxurious flavors, but what if you’re looking for something light? These lemon coconut balls effortlessly fit the bill.
Floral, slightly sweet, and packed with citrus, these high-protein balls are your next go-to summer snack.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 144
• Fats: 10g
• Protein: 5g
• Carbs: 10g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 5g
7. Apricot Almond Energy Bars
Source: callmepmc.com
Grocery store energy bars are generally packed with fillers, sweeteners, and other ingredients that make them less healthy than they could be. But it’s okay, because you can make your own!
These apricot almond energy bars come together in literally five minutes. Customize them based on the dried fruits you love best.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 288
• Fats: 12g
• Protein: 7g
• Carbs: 44g
• Fiber: 7g
• Sugar: 34g
8. Walnut Oatmeal Energy Balls
Source: twohealthykitchens.com
Oatmeal cookies are a well-loved staple of the baking world, but they tend to have a lot of sugar in them. We want fuel that burns low and slow rather than spiking your blood sugar immediately.
That’s where these oatmeal energy balls come in. High in fiber with natural sugars, these will give you plenty of energy over time.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 127
• Fats: 7g
• Protein: 3g
• Carbs: 14g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 8g
9. No Bake Sweet Potato Energy Bites
Source: bucketlisttummy.com
That’s right, you can make sweet potato energy bites. While these might be a little unusual, I urge you to give them a try.
The natural sweetness from the potatoes is a great choice against mellow coconut. Plus, you can make a ton of these from just one potato!
Per Serving:
• Calories: 143
• Fats: 8g
• Protein: 4g
• Carbs: 16g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 7g
10. Peanut Butter and Jelly Energy Balls
Source: twohealthykitchens.com
Who doesn’t love a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Well, this is a healthier take on that classic flavor combination.
All you need is a bowl, a spatula, and five minutes of elbow grease to whip up a batch of these tasty energy balls. A whole batch will last you the week (if you can resist these for long enough!).
Per Serving:
• Calories: 132
• Fats: 5g
• Protein: 3g
• Carbs: 19g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 11g
11. Gingerbread Energy Bites
Source: jessicainthekitchen.com
Need something a little more holiday-friendly? Stick to your health goals without giving up the holiday spirit with these gingerbread energy bites.
You only need eight ingredients, ten minutes, and one food processor to bring these to life.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 78
• Fats: 4g
• Protein: 2g
• Carbs: 10g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 6g
12. Cookie Dough Energy Balls
Source: keytomylime.com
That’s right, cookie dough! I know this doesn’t sound like the healthiest option, but these just taste like good old-fashioned cookie dough. The real story is much healthier.
Almond flour, peanut butter, and a dash of dark chocolate chips all serve to create this high-protein solution to your sweet cravings.
This is one of the best healthy snacks for picky eaters!
Per Serving:
• Calories: 119
• Fats: 8g
• Protein: 3.6g
• Carbs: 10g
• Fiber: 3.5g
• Sugar: 4.4g
13. Chocolate Date Energy Bites
Source: theroastedroot.net
Need something quick and easy to tide you over? These 5-ingredient chocolate date energy bites are just the thing.
You can whip these up in about ten minutes, and adapt them to suit whichever ingredients you like best. Change out the nut butters for a different (but still delicious) taste.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 115
• Fats: 7g
• Protein: 3g
• Carbs: 11g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 7g
14. Strawberry Bliss Balls
Source: mykidslickthebowl.com
These ‘bliss’ balls live up to their name thanks to their delicious taste. The strawberries blended into the mix make these sweet, floral, and nutrient-rich.
The recipe calls for coconut as the coating, but you can switch to cocoa powder if you want to try a strawberries and chocolate theme.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 92
• Fats: 6g
• Protein: 3g
• Carbs: 9g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 2g
15. Lemon Turmeric Energy Balls
Source: natalieshealth.com
Lemon and turmeric are both known for having positive effects on your appetite and immune system. So, blending the two together is a great call for a healthy snack!
These energy balls are soft and citrusy, with a delicious yellow tint thanks to the turmeric. These are an ideal summertime snack.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 83
• Fats: 6g
• Protein: 1g
• Carbs: 12g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 8g
16. Chocolate Chia Apricot Balls
Source: mykidslickthebowl.com
Chocolate, chia seeds, and dried apricot are an unbeatable combination in these delicious energy bites. Much like the other recipes on this list, you can whip up a batch in about ten minutes.
Healthy and easy, this is a snack your kids would be more than happy to take to school with them (they’re that good).
Per Serving:
• Calories: 123
• Fats: 7g
• Protein: 3g
• Carbs: 12g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 5g
17. Cherry Almond Butter Energy Balls
Source: itsavegworldafterall.com
Looking for a unique flavor profile to break up your existing snacks? These cherry almond butter balls are just the thing! These are super luxurious, full of coconut flakes, honey, and chocolate chips.
Make sure to use dark chocolate chips to keep these low in sugar and high in nutrients!
Check out these other healthy snacks on the go!
Per Serving:
• Calories: 173
• Fats: 10g
• Protein: 5g
• Carbs: 17g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 8g
18. Homemade Energy Bars
Source: easyanddelish.com
Here’s another take on homemade energy bars. This time, we’re going heavy on the granola! This is a great gluten-free snack that can effortlessly get you through a midday slump.
Even without the drizzle of chocolate, these bars are more than worthy of replacing the store-bought variety.
Per Serving:
• Calories: 245.6
• Fats: 15.7g
• Protein: 7.5g
• Carbs: 22.6g
• Fiber: 5.3g
• Sugar: 2.6g
19. No Bake Fruit and Nut Energy Bars
Source: cravingsomethinghealthy.com
Looking for an even simpler version of your homemade energy bars? Here’s a no-bake take that’s ready to eat in just one hour. All you need to do is chill them.
These are a great picnic snack for when you head out in summer, and you can customize them to suit your needs!
Per Serving:
• Calories: 204
• Fats: 10g
• Protein: 9g
• Carbs: 23g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 16g
20. Peanut Butter Energy Balls
Source: jessicainthekitchen.com
Whether you need a simple breakfast, a vegan-friendly snack, or the perfect lunch accompaniment, these energy balls are for you.
Not only are they easy to make, but they taste just like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups (and what’s not to love about that?).
Per Serving:
• Calories: 139
• Fats: 8g
• Protein: 4g
• Carbs: 16g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 9g
21. Strawberries and Cream Energy Balls
Source: dishingouthealth.com
Finally, looking for a snack that will feed both the kids and the adults in the family? These strawberry and cream balls are perfect. They basically taste like cake pops…
But without all the sugar! Not only do they come together in ten minutes, but they’re also freezer friendly. Keep them stored for a rainy day, and you’ll never be without a healthy snack.
Even you kids will enjoy these healthy snacks!
Per Serving:
• Calories: 123
• Fats: 8g
• Protein: 4g
• Carbs: 11g
• Fiber: 1.5g
• Sugar: 6.5g
There you have it! Twenty-one ways to satisfy your body’s need for energy, all while adding some high-quality nutrients to your diet.
I love relying on energy balls and bars between meals. They’re energy dense and easy to prepare in batches, so they’re an ideal way to stay healthy even when you’re rushed off your feet.
I’d love to know which recipes caught your eye. Let me know which high-energy snacks you want to try in the comments, and I’ll see you in the next one. Happy snacking!