Apple Pie Energy Balls
on Mar 29, 2014, Updated Oct 13, 2026
This post may contain affiliate links.
These no-bake apple pie energy balls are made with dried apples, dates, nuts and spices for a sweet snack that tastes like apple pie. They’re easy to make in a food processor with just a handful of ingredients and no baking required. The recipe is vegan, gluten-free adn has no added sugar.
With a soft, chewy texture and plenty of cinnamon flavour, these apple energy bites are perfect for snacking, hiking, road trips or a quick bite when you want something sweet. Make a batch ahead of time and keep them in the fridge or freezer for an easy grab-and-go snack.
What Readers Are Saying
I made these today and they are wonderful! Instead of rolling them into balls, I pressed them into a pan, froze for a bit, then cut into bite sized squares. I’m storing them in the freezer as the dates don’t completely freeze. Such a delicious treat!!
Why You’ll Love Apple Pie Energy Balls
- Apple pie flavour: Dried apples, dates and warming spices give these energy balls their sweet, cinnamon-rich flavour.
- No baking required: Make them in a food processor in about 10 minutes.
- Simple ingredients: Made with dried apples, dates, nuts and a few pantry spices.
- Naturally sweetened: Dates and dried apples provide sweetness without added sugar.
- Easy to take on the go: Pack them for hiking, road trips, work or an afternoon snack.
- Easy to customize: Try different nuts, add coconut or oats, or mix in a few chocolate chips.
- Freezer-friendly: Make a batch ahead and freeze some for later.
No-bake energy balls are so fun to make! If you love these, you might like these No-Bake Pecan Pie Balls Recipe, Easy Goji Berry Balls Recipe, 3-Ingredient Chocolate Date Balls and Sunflower Seed Energy Balls too.
Ingredient Notes
This list is not complete. Please see the recipe card at the end of the post for the complete ingredient list with measurements and detailed instructions.
- Nuts: Use raw pecans, walnuts, almonds or a combination. Pecans and walnuts both complement the apple and cinnamon flavours. For a nut-free version, try sunflower seeds or a mixture of sunflower and pumpkin seeds. The texture and flavour will differ slightly.
- Dried apples: Use unsweetened dried apple rings or apple chips. Soft, pliable dried apples are generally easier to process, but crisp apple chips can also work. If using very hard, dry apples, check that they break down properly in your food processor.
- Dates: Soft, moist dates help bind the ingredients into a sticky dough. Medjool and other soft varieties work well. If your dates are dry or firm, soak them in hot water for 10–15 minutes, then drain thoroughly before using.
- Cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger: These spices create the classic apple pie flavour. If you don’t have nutmeg and ginger, you can substitute allspice, adjusting to taste.
- Sea salt: A small amount balances the sweetness of the dates and apples and enhances the overall flavour.
Variation & Additions
CThese apple pie energy balls are easy to customize. Try one of these options:
- Oats: Add up to ½ cup of rolled oats for a more substantial texture.
- Coconut: Mix in up to ½ cup of shredded coconut.
- Seeds: Add up to 2 tablespoons of chia seeds or ground flaxseed.
- Raisins: Mix in up to ½ cup for extra sweetness and chewiness.
- Chocolate: Add chocolate chips or cacao nibs for a dessert-style variation.
- Extra sweetness: If needed, add a little maple syrup, although the dates and dried apples should provide sweetness on their own.
My recommendation: Keep the additions conservative. This recipe relies on dates to bind the nuts and dried apples, so adding too many dry ingredients may make the mixture difficult to roll.
How to Make Apple Pie Energy Balls
Step 1: If your dates are dry or firm, place the pitted dates in a bowl, cover with hot water and soak for 10–15 minutes. Drain thoroughly, pressing out any excess water. If your dates are already soft and moist, you can skip this step.
Step 2: Add the pecans or walnuts to a food processor. Process until they resemble a coarse, grainy flour. A few larger pieces are fine, but avoid processing them for so long that they turn into nut butter.
Step 3: Add the dried apple rings or chips and process until they’re broken down into small pieces and evenly incorporated with the nuts.
Step 4: Add the drained dates, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and salt. Process until the mixture forms a thick, sticky dough that holds together when pressed between your fingers.
If the mixture is too crumbly, check whether your dates were sufficiently soft and moist. You can add a small amount of water and process again if needed.
Step 5: Scoop the mixture and roll it into 15 evenly sized balls using your hands. If desired, dust or roll the finished balls in a mixture of cinnamon and coconut sugar. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Recipe FAQs
Store the energy balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. You can also freeze them in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to three months. Thaw in the refrigerator or briefly at room temperature before eating.
They can be. The core ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but check the labels on your dried apples and other ingredients if you need to avoid gluten because of cross-contact.
Yes. Cashews, almonds, walnuts and pecans can all work in energy ball recipes. The flavour and texture will vary slightly depending on which nuts you use.
The mixture may be too dry if your dates are firm or your dried apples are particularly dry. Make sure the dates are soft and moist before processing. If needed, add a small amount of water and process again until the mixture holds together when pressed.
A food processor is the recommended method because it breaks down the nuts, apples and dates into a cohesive mixture. A standard blender may struggle with the thick mixture, so I wouldn’t recommend promising that it will work without testing an alternative method.
How to Store Energy Balls
- Refrigerator: Store the energy balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. They’re ready to enjoy straight from the fridge, making them an easy grab-and-go snack.
- Freezer: For longer storage, place the energy balls in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.
If you make this recipe, please consider leaving a comment and a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the comment section below. It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe, and I love to hear from you. Thanks for trying my recipes! – Deryn
No-Bake Apple Pie Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1.25 cup pecans or walnuts, 187 g
- 1 cup packed dried soft unsweetened apple rings , 90 g
- 1 cup tightly packed soft pitted dates, 220 g
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp ginger
Instructions
- If your dates are dry or firm, place them in a bowl, cover with hot water and soak for 10–15 minutes. Drain thoroughly, pressing out excess water. If your dates are already soft and moist, you can skip this step.
- Add the pecans or walnuts to a food processor and process until they resemble a coarse, grainy flour. A few larger pieces are fine.
- Add the dried apple and process until broken down and incorporated into the nuts.
- Add the drained dates, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and ginger. Process until the mixture forms a thick, sticky dough that holds together when pressed between your fingers.
- Roll the mixture into 15 evenly sized balls. If desired, dust or roll them in a mixture of cinnamon and coconut sugar.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published on March 28, 2014.
I made these today and they are wonderful! Instead of rolling them into balls, I pressed them into a pan, froze for a bit, then cut into bite sized squares. I’m storing them in the freezer as the dates don’t completely freeze. Such a delicious treat!!
This recipe sounds great, but I can’t have nuts. Is there a substitution you can recommend? Thanks!
I haven’t tested anything but nuts in this recipe but you could possibly try rolled oats, hemp seeds or sunflower seeds. I can’t guarantee how they’ll work though since I haven’t tried it.
In a word…AWESOMEAZING !
NOTES TO SHARE: Dried fruit is full of added sugar and preservatives…so easy to make your own.
Preheat oven to 225°
Peel and quarter apples cutting out core, slice quarters into even pieces (rings are irrelevant as they just go in food processor)
Place pieces in bowl with juice of fresh lemon just enough to lightly coat for a few minutes, drain off and pat apples dry
Place around evenly spaced not touching on parchment lined baking sheet
Bake with oven door cracked entire cooking time of 1hr 30min *cracking door allows steam to escape which best enables apples to dry out during
Remove from oven and allow to air dry for about an hour before using, apples should have a soft dried texture as opposed to crispy, you don’t want crispy for recipe
That’s it ! they’re ready for this recipe and you know exactly what you’re using being just apples !
How many protein balls does this recipe yield?
These sound great! I have been trying to find a recipe that uses dates. I will definitely be making these soon.
These look great. How long will they stay fresh? Thanks.
They should keep in the fridge for 5-6 days no problem. Mine never last that long though, so I can’t be sure!
You go girl! Burpees are not my friend!
Can’t wait to try this latest version – and who doesn’t love apple pie?! The dried apples are so smart! I was wondering how the fresh would work! 🙂
I LOVE apple pie 🙂 I think I’m going to need to make these soon!
Oh yummy! I’m going to have to make these as soon as my husband gets some apple rings dehydrated! These would be yummy and healthy on hikes and longer runs.
As usual, so much yum! I have been working on my toes to bar too – I think the key is getting the hip-swing part of the kip down. Very excited to be on Running on Real Food in April 🙂