![overhead view of four different kinds of homemade energy balls](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.allrecipes.com/thmb/rlctelts0J_E1xQGd2ouWwN4jz0=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/as21-have-a-ball-energy-balls-brie-passano-primary-2000-c51c8d9fd47f4a94b3347c5767ed71fa.jpg)
For a fun after-school or lunch-box snack, make energy balls for — and with — your kids using this easy formula. Invite older children to measure the ingredients, and let little ones shape and roll the balls with just-washed hands.
Formula for Easy Energy Bites
Makes 10 to 16 balls or bites.
All You Need:
- 1 cup base ingredient, such as almond flour, crushed graham crackers, rolled oats, crisp rice cereal, or 2 cups popped popcorn
- ½ cup healthy fat, such as almond, peanut, cashew, or sunflower seed butter
- ⅓ cup sweetener, such as chopped pitted dates, honey, or maple syrup
- ⅓ cup mix-ins, such as shredded carrots, chopped mini marshmallows, dried fruit, or flaxseed meal
- Coating, such as shredded coconut, mini chocolate chips, crushed or chopped dried fruit, or sprinkles
All You Do:
- Stir together base ingredient, healthy fat, sweetener, and mix-ins in a bowl. Chill 10 to 15 minutes for easier shaping.
- Shape into 1 1/2- to 2-inch balls, then roll in coating. (Energy balls can be kept at room temperature 1 day or chilled in an airtight container up to 3 days.)
5 Kid-Friendly Energy Ball Variations
Birthday Bites
![homemade Energy Balls rolled in multicolored candy sprinkles to make Birthday Bites](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/uJly6Low0bHhQFyAvcUYxDINsHY=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/as21-have-a-ball-birthday-bites-brie-passano-sq-crop-374d250646fc40d3ad3eea85441cf0ec.jpg)
For this cherry version, use popcorn, sunflower seed butter, honey, and flaxseeds, then roll in multi-color candy sprinkles
Carrot Cake Bites
![homemade Energy Balls rolled in shredded coconut to make Carrot Cake Bites](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/1fTb_mG0ybh9evbtGRLqun0heC0=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/as21-have-a-ball-energy-balls-brie-passano-carrot-cake-bites-sq-crop-16dd9b773e0d4ca9af154089f7ca9167.jpg)
Use almond flour, almond butter, chopped pitted dates and shredded carrots, and roll in sweetened shredded coconut.
S'mores Bites
![homemade Energy Balls made with marshmallows and rolled in mini-chocolate-chips to make S'mores Bites](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/LJNiSWPupYBKVx-vwcijjR8xGhs=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/as21-have-a-ball-energy-balls-brie-passano-smores-balls-sq-crop-08ab87a22c3b4031863f47b54cc12f05.jpg)
Use crushed graham crackers, peanut butter, honey, and chopped mini marshmallows, and roll in mini chocolate chips.
Cherry-Oat Bites
![homemade Energy Balls rolled in chopped dried cherries to make Cherry-Oat Bites](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/dVcr7ZYMY3hJp2sdiug2ipT2Ltk=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/as21-have-a-ball-energy-balls-brie-passano-cherry-oat-bites-sq-crop-870aacfd7c724c52af2a5739c232e9de.jpg)
Use rolled oats, cashew butter, maple syrup, and dried cherries, and roll in chopped dried cherries.
PB&J Bites
![homemade Energy Balls rolled in crushed freeze-dried strawberries to make PB&J bites](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/DR-HLElKcLz5jiTNxT2t_KAVFlM=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/as21-have-a-ball-energy-balls-brie-passano-pbj-sq-crop-9b93d97a4d814c58ad8146bfd18c7b99.jpg)
Use crisp rice cereal, natural peanut butter, maple syrup, and crumbled freeze-dried strawberries, and roll in crushed freeze-dried strawberries.
Related
- 19 Homemade Snacks for School
- 14 Easy, Healthy Snacks Kids Can Make
- Browse All Kid-Friendly Snack Ideas
About Sue Honkamp
![photo of Sue Honkamp, founder of Real Food 4 Kids](https://www.allrecipes.com/thmb/7IdUZCZPy_lwUA-5v4Q2o_8Li00=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/as21-have-a-ball-sue-honkamp-headshot-sq-crop-7890c4be11f6416aaf3ba9d728868b0b.jpg)
As the founder of Real Food 4 Kids, this Iowa culinary instructor and mother of four teaches children and teens about food and cooking through hands-on and virtual classes. Learn more at realfood4kids.com.
This article originally appeared in the August/September 2021 issue of Allrecipes Magazine.