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These Apple Pie Energy Balls pack classic apple pie flavors into a healthy snack! Enjoy them on the go, as a post-workout treat, or serve them for a fall dessert. Vegan, Gluten-Free and Nut-Free Options.
When you’re craving apple pie but not the work that comes with it, make these snack-sized, no-bake Apple Pie Energy Balls. They’re as sweet and warmly spiced as pie but are packed with healthy fats, fiber, and plant protein. Keep a batch in your fridge or freezer at all times for when you need an energizing snack or a cozy fall dessert!
Table of Contents
All About These Snack-Sized Apple Pie Balls
Is apple pie on your Thanksgiving menu? It’s definitely on mine. I look forward to making my perfectly spiced Apple Crumb Pie every holiday season because, truthfully, I crave those warm apple chunks and comforting flavors year-round.
If you’re anything like me and can’t wait until the holidays to dig into an apple pie, then you have to try these Apple Pie Energy Balls. They cure an apple pie craving just like the real deal!
Here’s the best part: these bites are as nutritious as they are delicious. Dates and maple syrup sweeten the batch, while oats, nuts, and seeds bulk them up with their satisfying healthy fats. And it wouldn’t be a vegan apple dessert without comforting apples and warm spices! I used freeze-dried apple slices instead of fresh apples here, which are just as flavorful and won’t make these energy bites soggy.
All you have to do is pulse the simple ingredients in a food processor, roll the dough into balls, and you’re done! I like to keep a batch in my freezer and snack on them throughout the week. They always come in handy when those sneaky cravings hit on a crisp fall day.
Ingredients for Apple Pie Bites
These delicious energy balls are made with a mix of wholesome ingredients and cozy spices, giving each one a great balance of nutrients AND comforting flavors.
- Medjool Dates: softened Medjool dates are a must-have in a lot of energy bite recipes because they add the perfect amount of sticky sweetness. You can usually find Medjool dates in the produce section of well-stocked grocery stores, but if they aren’t available where you live, use an equal amount of Deglet Noor dates or dried prunes instead (soaked for up to 10 minutes).
- Quick Oats: these bind the bites together and add carbs, fiber, and protein. I haven’t tested it, but old-fashioned rolled oats should work as a substitute. Just keep in mind that they might make the bites a little chewier.
- Freeze-Dried Apple Chips: one bite of these energy bites and you’ll swear they were made with fresh apples! That’s the magic of freeze-dried apple chips—their apple flavor is super concentrated to give the bites that same cozy apple pie flavor you know and love. Look for them near trail mixes and dried fruit in the grocery store (being careful not to buy regular dried apples by mistake).
- Walnuts: these add a dose of omega-3 fatty acids and a crunchy pie crust element. It’s optional, but you can lightly toast the nuts in a dry skillet beforehand to bring out their rich, nutty flavors. Pecans, almonds, or cashews would make a nice substitute in case you’re all out of walnuts.
- Flaxseeds: just like in other baked goods, ground flaxseeds help bind the bites together. They also sneak in more omega-3s and fiber!
- Apple Pie Spices: a basic mix of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cardamom gives this healthy snack its signature apple pie flavor. Feel free to add a pinch of allspice or cloves for more complexity. Store-bought apple pie spice also works here if you have it.
How to Make Apple Pie Energy Balls
- Add the pitted dates to a bowl and cover them with boiling water. Set them aside to soften, then drain after 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, pulse the oats, apple chips, walnuts, ground flax, spices, and salt together in a food processor until a coarse flour forms.
- Add the softened dates, maple syrup, and vanilla to the processor and pulse until a thick dough forms.
- Use your hands to roll spoonfuls of dough into balls. Serve them right away or store them away for later.
Caitlin’s Cooking Tips
- No food processor? No problem. It’s not as quick or convenient, but you can make date energy bites by hand instead. Mash the soaked dates into a paste with a fork, crush the oats, apple chips, and nuts by hand, and then stir everything together in a bowl. The texture will be a bit more crunchy and rustic, but the balls will still taste scrumptious.
- Troubleshooting the dough texture: The dough is perfect when it feels slightly sticky and holds together when pinched. If it’s too dry and crumbly, mix in 1 to 2 teaspoons of water or a small drizzle of maple syrup to bring it back together. If it’s too wet, pulse in extra flax seed or oats until it sticks together.
- Rolling the balls can get messy. To make it easier, lightly wet your hands with water, coat them with a tiny bit of oil, or chill the dough for 10 to 15 minutes before rolling. These tricks will help keep your hands clean while forming neat and smooth balls.
Serving Suggestions
I usually have a container of these apple energy bites in my fridge or freezer all throughout fall. They’re a perfect snack to enjoy in between meals or after dinner. Usually, I’ll just snack on one or two on their own, but when I’m in the mood for an extra cozy treat, I’ll pair them with a Beet Latte or this Pumpkin Chai Bubble Tea.
Want to turn these healthy energy bites into an eye-catching dessert? Roll them in cinnamon sugar, crushed nuts, or shredded coconut right before serving. Or, for a truly decadent treat, drizzle this Salted Caramel Sauce over top. Yum!
If you’re looking for more energy ball recipes, you’ll also love these PB&J Energy Bites, these Hazelnut Mocha Energy Bites, and these Lemon Poppyseed Energy Bites!
How to Store Leftover Energy Bites
These apple pie bites are delicious whether you enjoy them the day they’re made or a few days after. Pack the extras into an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or the freezer for up to 2 months.
Serve the leftover bites straight from the fridge or freezer, or place as many as you plan on eating on the kitchen counter for 10 to 15 minutes first. This way, they’ll come back down to room temperature and become soft and chewy again.
Substitutions and Variations
- Gluten-Free Option: Replace the quick oats with certified gluten-free quick oats to keep this recipe gluten-free.
- Nut-Free Option: Swap the walnuts for 1/2 cup of sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
- Flaxseed Substitute: Ground chia seeds work just as well as flaxseed in this recipe.
- Add Protein Powder: You can combine one scoop of your favorite vanilla or unflavored protein powder with the dry ingredients to make these bites even more filling. If the dough seems dry, add a drizzle of maple syrup or water to bring it back together. If your protein powder is flavored, I recommend replacing the maple syrup with water so the bites are not too sweet.
Recipe FAQs
I have only made this recipe with softened dates and cannot say if a substitute will work or not. Feel free to experiment with dried prunes, figs, raisins, or apricots instead. Just remember to soak them in water so they’re soft enough to blend.
One or two tablespoons of granulated sugar (combined with the dry ingredients) might work instead of maple syrup, but I haven’t tried it. If you test it and the dough seems dry, mix in a small splash of water until the consistency is slightly sticky.
You can try folding up to 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips, vegan caramel chips, vegan peanut butter chips, or cacao nibs into the dough at the end.
Enjoy! If you make this recipe and decide to share it on Facebook or Instagram, don’t forget to tag me @FromMyBowl + #FromMyBowl! I would also love it if you could leave a comment below with a recipe rating! Thank you for the support 😊
Apple Pie Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1/3 packed cup pitted Medjool dates*
- 3/4 cup quick oats gluten-free if necessary
- 2 ounces freeze-dried apple chips
- 3/4 cup walnuts
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed or sub chia seed
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom optional
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons grade A maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Soak the Dates: Add the pitted dates to a medium bowl and cover with boiling water (or, microwave for 2 minutes). Let the dates soak for 5 minutes, to soften. Drain and set aside.
- Dry Ingredients: In the meantime add the oats, apple chips, walnuts, ground flax, spices, and salt to a food processor with an S-blade attachment. Pulse until a coarse flower forms, about 45 seconds.
- Wet Ingredients: Add the soaked and drained dates to the food processor along with the maple syrup and vanilla extract.
- Combine: Process until a thick dough forms, which should take about 1 to 2 minutes. Use a spatula to scrape the sides of the food processor as necessary. The dough should be only slightly sticky to the touch and stick together when pinched.
- Form Balls: Use a cookie scoop or 1 tablespoon measuring spoon to divide the dough into balls. Take two of the 1-tablespoon balls and use your hands to roll them together to form one energy bite. Repeat with the remaining “dough” balls. Tip: lightly wet your hands with water to prevent the balls from sticking to you.
- Serve & Store: Enjoy immediately, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. These energy bites can also be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months; if you are freezing them, I recommend letting the bites sit out at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes before enjoying so they have time to soften.
Recipe Notes
- Medjool Dates: This recipe can also be made with equal parts dried prunes or Deglet Noor dates. Deglet Noor dates are on the drier side, so I would recommend soaking them for 10 minutes instead of 5.
