Main image of Pistachio & Cranberry Energy Balls

View on phone

Pistachio & Cranberry Energy Balls

20 min

Snack

10 ingredients or less

Freezer-friendly
Energy balls are a favourite fast snack. They're easily tossed together using a chewy base of dates, oats, and maple syrup. This combination of pistachios, cashews, cranberries, and chocolate is exceptionally delicious. Enjoy as an on-the-go snack, or with a cup of tea at home!

energy balls

Total

20 min

Prep

10 min

Cook

10 min

Contains

Treenut symbol

tree nut

Swap out

Gluten symbol

gluten

Free from

Soy symbol

soy

Peanut symbol

peanut

Sesame symbol

sesame

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350ยฐF (180ยฐC). In a large bowl, mash the dates with a fork until smooth. Alternatively, you could use a food processor.
  2. Then add the ground flaxseeds and water. Let sit for 5 minutes to gel.
  3. Add the rolled oats and nuts (if not pre-roasted) to a baking tray and roast in the oven for 8 - 10 minutes, or until lightly golden, stirring once halfway.
  4. Remove the oats and nuts from the oven and let cool. Then finely chop. Alternatively, pulse a few times in a food processor.
  5. To the large bowl with the dates, add the chopped oats and nuts, cranberries, chocolate, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Mix well.
  6. Roll into bite-size balls. Wetting your hand with a bit of water may help to prevent sticking. Enjoy!

Storage

  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
  • Store in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Print

Let us know what you think

Nutrition info

We believe that focusing on numbers can harm our relationship with food. Instead, our philosophy is to Nourish the Cells & the Soul. If you require specific nutrition information due to a medical condition, please consult with a dietitian or physician. The nutritional information provided is composed with the utmost care. However, we cannot guarantee the correctness of the displayed values, see also our disclaimer.

Show nutrition info  

Watch it step-by-step!

More for the eyes

image of image of image of image of

Suggested recipes

Discussion & Rating

Rate this post

Charlie Anne - July 3, 2023, 10:17 a.m.

Hello Sadia & the PUL Team,

I noticed you often use dried cranberries in your cookie and granola recipes, is there a reason, other than taste, to use cranberries instead of raisins?
Raisins are usually more affordable and available. Dried cranberries usually have added sugar.
(I noticed it is a swap here on the blog, but the videos always use cranberries.)
I was just curious if cranberries have some particular nutritional benefit over raisins.
Thanks!

PUL Team - July 4, 2023, 4:23 a.m.

Hey Charlie, mostly just a personal preference ๐Ÿค— feel free to use raisins if they're preferred!

Charlie Anne - July 6, 2023, 8:25 p.m.

My oldest prefers cranberries too. Thanks! ๐Ÿ˜‰

Reply
Kristin Goebel - July 2, 2023, 7:12 p.m.

Very tasty. I used almonds instead of cashews, and did not toast my oats, but they still came out delicious. I will probably skip the chocolate next time, found it to be a little distracting.

PUL Team - July 4, 2023, 3:46 a.m.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the recipe, Kristin!

Reply
Bea - March 11, 2023, 9:23 p.m.

Again another tasty healthy and easy to prepare dish! Absolutely loved it. I deleted the chocolate and swapped the cashew for almonds. So delicious!

PUL Team - March 11, 2023, 9:36 p.m.

So happy to hear, Bea, thank you ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

Reply
Sarah - March 7, 2023, 8:32 p.m.

Hello PUL team !
I've made this recipe omitting the cranberries, and swithing the cashews by almonds, it is still a hell goodness of a recipe!! I've roll the balls into coconut shred, like you suggest in a another energy ball recipe on the website. Abolutely delicious... I woudn't ommiting the roasting step, it gives such a good flavour to the mix ! I recommand anyway ! Thank you for shearing this recipe !

PUL Team - March 8, 2023, 6:16 p.m.

Awe thank you for sharing your experience, Sarah, it means so much!

Reply
Irrum - Sept. 14, 2022, 9:49 p.m.

This is another amazing recipe. Thank you for sharing! Could I swap the dates for bananas?

PUL Team - Sept. 15, 2022, 8:12 p.m.

Hey there, Irrum! The dates help add some sweetness and stickiness to the balls, and we suspect that banana may not be sticky enough for the balls to form as a 1:1 substitute. If you give it a try and find the balls aren't sticky enough, you could try adding some blended dried fruit, some syrup, or nut butter. We hope you enjoy the recipe if you give it a try ๐Ÿ™‚

Reply
Dora - July 11, 2022, 4:35 p.m.

I think I'm gonna cry happy tears. This website is just perfect.

PUL Team - July 12, 2022, 7:35 a.m.

Oh my gosh you're too kind, Dora ๐Ÿฅบ

Reply
Kate - April 4, 2022, 4:42 p.m.

It's delicious. Tried to make it and it's well worth it! Will be making regular batches now. Thank you for the recipe and all the hard work you put into PUL.

PUL Team - April 5, 2022, 5:25 a.m.

Oh it means so much, Kate, thank YOU!

Kate - April 16, 2022, 12:43 p.m.

One little note as Iย made the second batch - it would be good to mention that you should moist your hands a bit to prevent the mixture from sticking (terribly) to them. It is very hard to make balls with all hands covered with the sticky mix, but keeping them moist makes it a breeze.

PUL Team - April 16, 2022, 6:57 p.m.

Thanks for the feedback, Kate, we've added a note to the recipe to help others avoid it ๐Ÿ˜Š

Reply
Andie - Jan. 18, 2022, 2:02 a.m.

This is the Pick Up Limes recipe I make on regular basis. I, and my husband, highly recommend! It is nice to have something on hand for a quick snack that feels like a dessert. Once you have made it a few times, it gets faster to put together. I press it all into a pan and cut it into squares/bars instead of rolling it into balls.

PUL Team - Jan. 19, 2022, 5:07 p.m.

Aw we appreciate this so much, Andie! A lovely idea to make bars too ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

Reply
Rukhsana - Jan. 16, 2022, 2:07 p.m.

Love this recipe.Easy.Quick.Delicious.Healthy.

PUL Team - Jan. 16, 2022, 8:24 p.m.

So glad they're being enjoyed, Rukhsana!

Reply
SS - Dec. 23, 2021, 11:41 a.m.

Hi! Can the ground flax seeds be omitted with affecting the recipe? Thanks!

PUL Team - Dec. 23, 2021, 9:25 p.m.

Hi there, SS, thanks for the question! The flaxseed and water gel helps the balls stick together. Ground chia seeds would work well as a substitute if that's accessible.

If it's desired to omit flax or chia seeds, we'd recommend playing around with adding nut or seed butter, more syrup, or pureed dried fruit (such as dates) to add some stickiness and limit the balls from crumbling apart. We hope this helps for now ๐Ÿ™‚

Reply
Jessica - Oct. 25, 2021, 9:06 p.m.

super delicious! also love how easy it is to just swap out for different nuts/fruit.

Reply
Cath - Sept. 15, 2021, 3:36 p.m.

Very yummy energy balls, I'm a huge fan of pistachios, so they never last long in my fridge :3

Reply
Stacey H - Aug. 9, 2021, 12:47 a.m.

My husband and two-year old LOVE these! I made half into energy balls and then put some of the ingredients back into the food processor and pulsed them a little to make bars, too. They're like candy! I keep some frozen because I like putting a few into everyone's lunches throughout the month.

PUL Team - Aug. 9, 2021, 3:49 a.m.

Hey there, Stacey! Love the idea to make granola bars. Thanks for taking the time to share ๐Ÿ˜Š

Reply
Jackie - July 24, 2021, 4:20 a.m.

These are one of my favorite snacks! I make a ton and freeze them. Then when Iโ€™m hungry I pop them out of the freezer and they are so good chilled! And with tea or coffee, delicious! Definitely toast the nuts yourself and if you are batch making these, try date paste which is essentially already mashed dates. (Great time saver). Thank you for the amazing recipes!

PUL Team - July 25, 2021, 9:18 p.m.

A lovely idea to use date paste, Jackie, so glad you're enjoying the energy balls ๐Ÿ˜Š

Reply
AlexandraP - July 23, 2021, 7:47 a.m.

Really easy and amazing. Everyone vegan or not, love this one!!

Reply
Riley - July 10, 2021, 4:42 p.m.

My all time favourite snack! I've been making these for years. A great way to use up assorted nuts and dried fruit if you mix it up as well. Thanks Sadia (& PUL team).

PUL Team - July 15, 2021, 3:23 p.m.

Thank you, Riley! We're so happy your enjoying the recipe :)

Dylan - Aug. 18, 2021, 6:44 p.m.

I agree. I have tried different nuts (pecans, almonds, cashews, walnuts, sunflower seeds etc.) all good combinations. Putting the coconut flakes inside has also been a good option. Ver customizable. This has been a staple for me. Great recipe. Cheers.

Reply
Vanshika - June 12, 2021, 9:05 p.m.

Hi Sadia
I tried this recipe and it turned out too delicious. I love your videos and your recipes.
Your videos motivate me to live a healthy lifestyle.
Thank you so much for this incredible recipe.
Love from India

PUL Team - June 13, 2021, midnight

So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Vanshika! Hugs to India ๐Ÿค—

Reply
Meshki - May 11, 2021, 9:17 a.m.

Hey! โค๏ธ
Can i grind them all to a chunky flour consistency? My mother can't eat crunchy things at the moments and i'm planing on making it for her

PUL Team - May 12, 2021, 4:43 a.m.

Hi there, Meshki! Thanks for the question ๐Ÿ˜ƒ We haven't tested it out, but you could grind the nuts and oats down to reduce the crunchiness. You may find that you need to add more nuts and oats to the mixture to help it stick together.

Alternatively, our Fudge Brownie Bites or Savoury Muffins may be two other recipes to try that are less crunchy to try. You can find them by searching for "Chocolate Fudge Brownie Bites" or "Savoury Sun-Dried Tomato & Olive Muffins" ๐Ÿค—

Meshki - May 12, 2021, 5:37 a.m.

Thank you so much for the reply!
I will try them out.i actually have made the brownie bites and we have them with tea in the afternoons.
I really appreciate your recipes and the effort you put into themโค๏ธ

PUL Team - May 12, 2021, 6:26 a.m.

Aww love that you enjoy the brownie bites with tea! Thank you for helping make our PUL family so special, Meshki ๐Ÿฅฐ

Reply
Louise Magnusson๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ช - April 12, 2021, 5:16 p.m.

I absolutely love this snack, and it was easy to make. The extra time in the oven was worth it, as the oats also got a nice crunch! I like the idea to add oats in energy balls to gain additional fibres during the day. I used raisins instead of cranberries, which became a perfect combo with the chocolate and distinct pistachio flavour. Iโ€™m so happy to have your collection of snacks for variation between fresh fruits and vegetables ๐Ÿคฉ

PUL Team - April 14, 2021, 2:08 a.m.

Thank you, Louise! Mmm raisins sound like a delicious substitute. Your review and support mean so much ๐Ÿ™‚โค๏ธ

Reply