These yummy, nut-free and low-fat cinnamon energy balls call for just 4 simple ingredients and make the perfect sweet and satisfying snack.

Plate of oatmeal energy balls sprinkled with cinnamon.

Recipe Features

  • dietary: vegan, gluten-free, oil-free and nut-free
  • nutrition: naturally sweetened with no added sugar, low in fat which makes them easily digestible and great for a long run or pre-workout snack!
  • functional: travel well so they’re perfect for hiking, camping, packing up for lunch or any other healthy snacking on-the-go needs

Ingredient Notes

Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located in the recipe card below.

  • oats – rolled and quick oats both work
  • dates – any variety works as long as they’re soft and moist, I like medjool and sayer dates best
  • maple syrup – adds a touch of sweetness and helps bind the balls, can be subbed with agave
  • cinnamon – recipe calls for 1 tablespoon but I’ve added as much as 2, so if you love a strong cinnamon bite, start with 1, taste and add more if desired

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1. Add the oats to a food processor and blend into a grainy flour.

Blended oats in a food processor.

Step 2. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend into a thick, sticky dough you can easily press between your fingers.

Quick Tip: If your dates were too dry, the dough may be too crumbly to roll into balls. In this case, add 1 tsp warm water and process again. That should do the trick but if no, repeat 1-2 times.

Oats, dates and cinnamon in a food processor.
Blended dates and oats in a food processor.

Step 3. Use your hands to roll the dough into balls.

Hands rolling dough into energy balls.

Sprinkle the balls with cinnamon or roll in a mixture of cinnamon and coconut sugar for an extra treat!

Sprinkling a plate of energy balls with cinnamon.

Notes and Tips

  • Dates: It’s essential to use soft, moist dates such as medjool or sayer dates. If your dates are overly dry, soak them (pitted) in hot water for 15 minutes then drain well before using in the recipe.
  • Sea Salt: Optional but I love the way it enhances the sweetness and cinnamon flavour.
  • Raw Granola: Instead of rolling the blended dough into balls, leave as a crumbly, raw granola. Store in the fridge and enjoy with yogurt or dairy-free milk or crumbled over smoothies bowls and ice cream.
Small glass cup with several energy bars in it.

Storing

  • Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 10 days.
  • Freezer: Store in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
  • Room Temperature: If taking to-go, they’ll keep for a few days at room temperature, they’ll get soft though so keep cool for best results.

For more easy desserts, you might like these healthy baked pears, tahini date cookies or healthy pumpkin oat cookies.

Did you try this recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Click here to leave a review.

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Plate of oatmeal energy balls sprinkled with cinnamon.

Low-Fat Cinnamon Energy Balls

  • Author: Deryn Macey
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 20 1x
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Food Processor
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan

These yummy little cinnamon energy balls are just 80 calories a pop so you can go ahead and enjoy a couple anytime for a healthy sweet treat. Try them straight from the freezer, YUM! They’re also awesome crumbled over smoothie bowls or banana nice cream.

★★★★★

4.5 from 6 reviews
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Add the oats to a food processor and pulse a few times to break down into a grainy flour.
  2. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until it forms a thick, sticky dough you can easily press between your fingers. If your dates were on the dry side and the mixture seems too crumbly, you may need to add 1 tsp warm water and process again 
  3. Use your hands to roll the dough into about 20 balls.
  4. Option to sprinkle with or roll balls in shredded coconut, cinnamon or a mixture of cinnamon and coconut sugar.

Notes

It’s important to use soft, moist dates in this recipe. If your dates are dry, or hard soak them in “just boiled” water for 15 minutes and then drain well before using in the recipe.

Store balls in the fridge for up to 1 week or freezer for up to 3 months. If taking to-go, they’re okay at room temperature for a few days if kept cool.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 80
  • Sugar: 9 g
  • Fat: 0.7 grams
  • Carbohydrates: 18 grams
  • Protein: 1.7 grams

Keywords: cinnamon energy balls, low-fat energy balls

Originally published on July 22, 2017. Updated with new photos and text on October 12, 2020.