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    Home » Recipes » Snacks

    Lemon Coconut Energy Balls

    Published: May 19, 2021 · Updated: Jun 10, 2022 by Natalie · 62 Comments

    These Lemon Coconut Energy Balls are so delicious. Bright, refreshing, and loaded with lemon flavor. Also, easy to make, and totally guilt-free, made without refined sugars. Energizing and healthy. Stash some in the fridge or freezer for a quick afternoon snack!

    Table of contents
    • Ingredients used
    • How to make Lemon Coconut Energy Balls
    • Substitutions
    • Recipe tips
    • Tips for storing
    • 📖 Recipe
    • More recipes to try
    • 💬 Comments
    Lemon Coconut Energy Balls served in a bowl

    The last couple of weeks I've definitely worked too hard. My eating routine slipped off the track. Having energy balls in my freezer really saved me in a way. It's good to have some healthy option to nibble on when hunger strikes but you don't want to completely ruin your dinner. Plus, energy balls are perfect for boosting low energy. They give me a nice push on afternoons just when I need it.

    I had some fresh organic lemons from the market, so the idea for these lemon energy bites struck me instantly. Plus, lemons are now in season and so bright and refreshing.

    These Lemon Coconut Energy Balls are beautifully flavored and simply delicious. They are super easy to throw together - less than 10 minutes with a few simple ingredients. Also, they are super nutritious and healthy. My kinda snack!

    Lemon Coconut Energy Balls served in a bowl

    Ingredients used

    To make these lemon coconut balls you will only need a few simple ingredients:

    • Cashews. Cashew nuts have a neutral taste with hints of sweetness. They give softness and melting texture to energy balls, that's why I love them. Also, cashews are loaded with nutrients - proteins, fibers, plus antioxidants. (1) I used unsalted cashews here.
    • Coconut. Coconut added wonderful flavor. Coconut is also packed with many nutrients - especially energy-boosting fats and fibers. (2)
    • Lemon. You will need lemon juice as well as some lemon zest, so make sure you use organic lemon here. The zest gives the majority of the citrus flavor, so don’t skip it!
    • Sweetener. I used pure maple syrup, but you can easily use honey here if you like. Sirup gave subtle sweetness yet didn't overload energy balls with many sugary calories.

    I always like to add some superfoods to the mixture, to make energy balls more interesting and nutritious. This time I added:

    • Hemp seeds. They are loaded with two essential fatty acids, omega-6, and omega-3 but also a great source of proteins. 
    Lemon Coconut Energy Balls served in a bowl

    How to make Lemon Coconut Energy Balls

    To make these lemon coconut energy balls, you will need some equipment, a good food processor, or a food chopper.

    • Start with preparing and measuring all ingredients. I like using measuring cups.
    • Take a high-speed food processor and add all ingredients.
    • Process everything at high speed for about two minutes until everything is nicely chopped.
    • Don't worry if the dough seems dry in the beginning. Just continue mixing. Scrap down the dough with a spatula if needed.
    • Stop the processing and check texture by pinching the dough between your fingers. It should be sticky and able to keep its shape.
    • If the mixture is still too dry, add a bit more hot water (just a teaspoon). Mix again and check the texture. 
    • Using a spoon, scoop out the dough and roll it between your palms to form a little bite-size ball. Repeat with the remaining dough.
    • Place balls on a plate, serving tray, or in an airtight container and refrigerate to harden.
    • Makes 16-18 bite-sized balls. The recommended serving size is 2 balls.
    Hand picking Lemon Coconut Energy Balls
    Hand holding Lemon Coconut Energy Balls

    Substitutions

    • You can substitute hemp seeds with ground flax seeds or chia seeds.
    • You can substitute maple syrup and use honey. Make sure honey is in runny form.
    • Date syrup can be used instead of maple syrup but it will change the color of the dough. Stevia or any low-carb sweetener won't work here. 
    • You can substitute lemon juice with lemon extract.
    • You can substitute fresh lemon zest with dried lemon zest.

    Recipe tips

    • Use raw unsalted cashews. Don't swap it with cashew butter.
    • If you notice that the mixture is too dry and crumbly, add a teaspoon of warm water.
    • Also, make sure you taste the dough. These lemon and coconut bliss balls are quite citrusy, so if you feel like you need a bit more sweetness, feel free to add more sweetener. 
    • If you're planning on using fresh lemon zest, make sure you use the zest of organic unwaxed lemons. If there are no such lemons available to you, you can use packaged lemon zest.

    Tips for storing

    • Keep lemon coconut balls covered in an air-tight food container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
    • TO FREEZE: Place balls in a zip-lock bag. Keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw for 5 minutes at room temperature before consuming.
    Closeup Lemon Coconut Energy Balls served in a bowl

    These Lemon Coconut Energy Balls are soft and melting little delights that are hard to say no to. Bright and refreshing, loaded with amazing citrus flavor, and super sweet, these are just amazing.

    Definitely worth stacking a bunch of these in the freezer for a quick healthy afternoon snack!

    📖 Recipe

    Healthy Lemon Coconut Energy Balls with cashews coconut and hemp seeds sprinkled with shredded coconut and bee pollen

    Lemon Coconut Energy Balls

    By Natalie
    These Lemon Coconut Energy Balls are so delicious. Bright, refreshing, loaded with lemon flavor. Also, easy to make, and totally guilt-free, made without refined sugars. Energizing and healthy.
    4.9 from 83 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American, International
    Servings 16 balls
    Calories 77 kcal

    Equipment

    • Measuring cups
    • Food processor

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup cashews
    • ½ cup shredded coconut
    • 2 tablespoon hemp seeds
    • 1 teaspoon lemon zest zest from 1 lemon
    • 2 tablespoon lemon juice juice from 1 lemon
    • 2 tablespoon marple syrup or honey
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Instructions
     

    • Add all ingridients in the food processor and process for few minutes until dough is formed.
    • Check texture by pinching the dough between your fingers. It should be sticky and able to keep its shape. If the mixture is too dry, add more lemon juice. If the mixture is to wet, add more shredded coconut.
    • Using a tablespoon, scoop out dough and roll between your palms to form your balls.
    • Roll them into shredded coconut or bee pollen powder and shake off excess. Refrigerate to harden.

    Notes

    Makes 16-18 bite-sized balls. The recommended serving size is 2 balls. 
    As a measure, I used a US cup (240ml).
    Substitutions
    • You can substitute hemp seeds with ground flax seeds or chia seeds.
    • You can substitute maple syrup and use honey. Make sure honey is in runny form.
    • You can substitute lemon juice with lemon extract.
    • You can substitute fresh lemon zest with dried lemon zest.
    Storing
    • Keep lemon coconut balls covered in an air-tight food container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
    • TO FREEZE: Place balls in a zip-lock bag. Keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw for 5 minutes at room temperature before consuming.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1ball | Calories: 77kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 68mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 10IU | Vitamin C: 1.2mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 0.8mg
    Keyword healthy energy balls, lemon bites, lemon coconut energy balls, lemon energy balls
    Tried this recipe?Don’t forget to rate it and leave the comment. I would love to hear what you think.
    DisclaimerThe nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but I have endeavored to be as accurate as possible.

    This post is originally published in April 2019. It's updated with new information and republished in June 2022. The recipe changed slightly as I tested it more through the years. 

    More recipes to try

    • Lemon Turmeric Energy Balls
    • Healthy Coconut Bites
    • Almond Butter Energy Balls
    • Peanut Butter Coconut Balls
    « Blueberry Banana Smoothie
    Lemon Poppy Seed Chia Pudding »

    About Natalie

    Natalie is a writer, recipe developer, and creator of Natalie's Health. She combined knowledge of nutrition, diet and exercise and specialised in developing healthy recipes and writing about a healthy lifestyle. Her recipes and articles have been featured in many popular media outlets, like Shape, Greatist, Pure Wow, Mashed, The Huffington Post, ELLE Magazine, and many more.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kim says

      November 14, 2022 at 11:07 am

      Do you have to soak the cashews? Most recipes call for soaking them overnight or for 20 minutes in hot water. Thx.

      Reply
      • Natalie says

        December 07, 2022 at 7:55 pm

        Not for this recipe. :)

    2. Ann says

      July 17, 2022 at 8:45 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious, tart and sweet energy ball recipe!

      Reply
    3. Katie says

      June 14, 2022 at 12:23 pm

      5 stars
      These are so perfect! I love that the coconut flavor really comes through!

      Reply
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