The other day I got a hankering for ginger cookies. Soft, chewy ginger cookies, specifically. And I made some, and they were delicious. But as much as I love cookies during the holiday season, I also don’t like feeling bloated and sluggish all the time from all the sugar, butter, and flour in them. I’ve gotta have energy for all the magic that the holiday season has to offer! So here’s a healthy compromise- gingerbread energy balls! They’re 99% naturally sweetened from just dates and raisins. And they have just a hint of molasses for that warm, deep flavor you love about gingerbread. With lots of warming spices, including ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and cloves, you’ll get that gingerbread fix without all the guilt (and sluggishness) this holiday season. These energy balls are so delicious, they’re like fancy vegan gingerbread truffles. They’re 100% plant-based, gluten-free, and grain-free, so they’re the perfect treat to bring to a cookie swap or give to someone with dietary restrictions. And they only take 15 minutes to make!
How to make gingerbread energy balls
Just pulse the ingredients together in your food processor, roll into balls, and cool off in your fridge! Here are some tips and tricks to help you out:
Can I make them nut free?
While pecans are a key ingredient in these energy balls, you can definitely substitute them with sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or a mixture of various seeds like flax, chia, etc. I recommend using only 3/4 of a cup, since they’ll go a bit further since they’re smaller. You can also use other nuts besides pecans, such as almonds, walnuts, or a combination!
How do I make these paleo/whole30?
This is easy! For a paleo version, substitute the molasses with maple syrup. For a whole30 version, simply omit it. And make sure you don’t roll them in sugar- as an alternative, you can roll them in shredded coconut, like these chocolate coconut energy balls, instead.
Other holiday treats
Love the warming spices in these gingerbread truffles? You’ll love this spicy gingerbread cake with orange mascarpone cream and this cardamom spiced orange olive oil cake. If you’re looking for guilt-free cookies, try these spicy ginger date cookies or these orange chai spice cookies, both made with 100% whole grains, And don’t forget the butter and sugar this holiday season- this Dutch Butter Cake and these Norwegian Butter Cookies are some decadent treats you won’t want to miss! Check out all my holiday baking recipes here. Did you make this Gingerbread Energy Balls recipe? Please click the stars below to comment and Rate this Recipe!
