No-Bake Oatmeal Cookie Energy Balls are a gluten-free, easy, healthy version of a favorite cookie–complete with a naturally sweetened (optional) cream cheese frosting!
It is Teacher Appreciation time at my children’s school. As a former teacher, I realize just how much hard work goes into running a classroom and how much your heart is invested in each child. So obviously it is important for me to make my children’s teachers feel appreciated.
We started teacher appreciation with a staff breakfast in which I was asked to contribute two of their favorite recipes: Mediterranean Frittata and Hashbrown Casserole. And finished the week with homemade sweet treats.
Back when I taught, I tended to crave all things chocolate and peanut butter, so I would have welcomed Peanut Butter Cups or Peanut Butter Balls from Texanerin Baking. But My daughter gravitated towards the fact that her teacher loves Oatmeal Raisin Cookies. I gravitated towards the fact that she would appreciate “healthy snacks.” So we decided to compromise and make No-Bake Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bites.
No-Bake Oatmeal Balls are usually made with peanut butter and honey–but these little oatmeal balls are more like a homemade Larabar–just with Oats thrown into the mix.
While these oatmeal balls taste very similar to an oatmeal raisin cookie, they pack are much healthier!
Oatmeal Energy Balls are packed with fiber, nutrients, healthy fats, and a bit of protein–no added sugars, no processed fat! Truly a guilt-free oatmeal cookie!
Steps to Making No Bake Oatmeal Balls
This recipe for oatmeal balls is SO easy.
- Soak dates to soften.
- Add oats, cinnamon, raisins, walnuts, and almonds into the food processor and process until smooth.
- Roll out the balls into inch balls.
- If desired, mix a bit of softened cream cheese with the date soaking water and drizzle over the oatmeal balls.
Notes on Oatmeal Cookie Protein Balls
- Be sure to buy unsweetened dates for homemade oatmeal balls to keep the added sugars to a minimum. Dates are plenty sweet enough, no need to add any sugars.
- Use either old-fashioned oats or quick-cooking oats for these no-bake oatmeal cookies. But be sure the oats are gluten-free to keep these oatmeal balls gluten-free!
- The frosting is completely optional but such a fun addition! Leave it off for a vegan or dairy-free no-bake oatmeal cookie recipe.
- If you are looking for something a bit more decadent, check out my Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars.
No Bake Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Bites
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup pitted dates softened in 1/2 cup warm water for at least 10 minutes (reserve the liquid)
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup oats gluten free
- 1/4 cup almonds
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1 tablespoon reserved liquid
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese softened (optional)
- 1 tablespoon additional reserved liquid
Instructions
- Soak the dates in the warm water for 10 minutes. Drain the dates, but save the water--it has been sweetened naturally.
- In a food processor, blend the dates, raisins, oats, almonds, walnuts, cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon reserved liquid until well combined and blended together well.
- With dampened hands, roll 1 tablespoon of mixture together to form a ball.
- For the frosting mix together cream cheese and the additional tablespoon of liquid together and drizzle over formed balls.
- Let harden in the fridge for at least 10 minutes and serve or store in an airtight container.
Equipment Needed
Nutrition
I’d love snacking on these!
We sure do!
I love making little snacks like these! This is an awesome flavor 🙂
Thanks so much Megan!
Oatmeal Raisin Cookies are one of my favorites. These look like a yummy variation to try! I’d love for you to share this at our weekly link party! http://www.thelifeofjenniferdawn.com/2016/05/fun-birthday-party-ideas-little-bird.html Hope to see you there!
Thanks Jennifer!
Thanks so much Jennifer. I will hop on over the party now!
I’ll be making these all for me – and hiding them from the rest of the family!
Ha! ha! You definitely need to hide them if you want them for yourself!!
These look like they would be perfect for breakfast!!!
I sure think they would be too! 🙂
These sound so yummy! Love no-bake treats 🙂
No bakes are the best!
These look so scrumptious! I bet I could eat that whole bowl!
It is hard not to–trust me!!
These bites look seriously good! I love oatmeal raisin cookies, so I love that these are sugar free!
These are sure to be your new fav!!
Such a great idea! The frosting is the perfect finishing touch.
I agree Sylvie 🙂
Those look delicious! I love that they are so healthy.
Healthy indeed