These healthy Lemon Ginger Energy Balls with Tumeric are the perfect little energy bites with the bonus of helping combat the effects of nausea when going through chemo or morning sickness during pregnancy. Their soothing, slightly sweet lemony ginger taste is packed with protein, making them a perfect light, healthy snack for everyone. These are quick and easy to make and keep well in your freezer for a quick pick-me-up.
😋 Why make this recipe
Lemon ginger energy balls pack a punch of energy which makes them a great workout snack or quick breakfast bite. They are also the perfect snack if you struggle with nausea because they are made with fresh ginger and lemon, which both soothe the stomach.
As a mom with a house full of kids, I found it very difficult to take care of my family when I was feeling nauseous from chemo treatments. I took the medication my oncologist prescribed for nausea, but I needed more, so I discovered a few natural ways that helped complement my medicine to reduce the feeling of being sick. I combined some of the key ingredients to help me feel better and thus were created these lemon energy balls with ginger.
❓FAQ
Energy balls are typically packed with healthy fats, whole grain fiber, dried fruits, and protein, making them an excellent, healthy on-the-go snack!
Yes, it is fine to eat raw oats in energy balls. However, to make them soft and easy to eat, mix them with moist ingredients and allow the mixture to sit for 15 or 20 minutes before forming into balls. This will help them stick together in balls and will be softer to eat.
No sugar added peanut butter is a calorie-dense food, so you will only need a little bit for a great-tasting energy boost. It has healthy fats, protein, and fiber to help curb your hunger pains and keep blood sugar levels stable.
Health benefits
- All ingredients are low in sugar
- In a study on NCBI, Citrus peel has anticancer activities and contains multiple beneficial nutrients for human beings.
- According to WebMD, ginger is loaded with antioxidants, compounds that prevent stress and damage to your body’s DNA. It may help your body fight off chronic diseases like high blood pressure, heart disease, and diseases of the lungs, plus promote healthy aging.
🥘 Ingredient Tips
- Oatmeal - be sure to use quick-cooking
- Cashews - make sure you use raw cashews and not toasted. Raw gives you a creamy smooth texture that helps hold the balls together.
- Peanut butter - Buy a good quality, no sugars added brand of peanut butter. It might be a bit oily, I just pour off the extra oil and stir well when I first open the jar.
- Maple syrup - Don't buy the fake kind, only real maple syrup will do.
- Stevia - I use Pyure Stevia because it does not have additives such as erythritol.
- Lemon zest - Wash your lemon skin really well before you zest it, this adds an extra layer of lemon flavor
- Lemon juice - Don't use the bottled kind, only fresh-squeezed
- Ginger - For a healthy zippy flavor only use freshly grated not powder
- Turmeric - Be sure and buy a quality product for the best anti-inflammatory properties.
- Vanilla extract - Use real, not imitation.
- Salt - Just a pinch to draw out flavors.
How to make energy balls
- First, add the oats to your food processor and process until a fine flour forms. Toss in the raw cashews and pulse until finely ground as well.
- Add the rest of the ingredients except for half of the lemon zest to the bowl of the food processor and pulse until a thick, uniform dough forms. This will take about a minute or two. You might need to stop and scrape the sides of the bowl once or twice.
- A simple way to make the ball shapes is to use a small cookie scoop to measure out each ball. Then roll the dough-like ball in between your hands until it forms an even ball. Roll each ball in the other half of the lemon zest to coat lightly.
🪄Substitutions or add-ins
- You can use almond butter instead of peanut butter
- Add one tablespoon chia seeds
- Add one tablespoon white sesame seeds
- Add 1 tablespoon flax seeds
- Unsweetened shredded coconut flakes - add just a touch of natural sweetness if you have a sweet tooth. You could mix in 1/8 cup or roll the outside in the coconut flakes.
🥡Leftovers
Store the little bites in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 10 days or in the freezer for up to a month. If you opt for the freezer, let each ball thaw for 5-10 minutes on a plate before enjoying.
More energy balls to try
For more no-bake energy balls, try my Matcha Energy Balls. They are filled with sweet dried Medjool dates, raw cashews, cocoa powder, and matcha which creates a quick healthy, energizing snack. They are a great way to start your day.
Lemon Ginger Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup oatmeal Quick-cooking
- 1/2 cup cashews Only use raw
- 3 tablespoons peanut butter No sugars added
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup Only use real maple syrup
- 1/8 teaspoon stevia 100% stevia with no fillers - Optional
- 2 lemons Medium size, zest from 2 lemons divided in half
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice Fresh squeezed
- 2 teaspoons ginger Fresh finely grated
- 1 teaspoon tumeric
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract not imitation
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
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Instructions
- First, add the oats to your food processor and process until a fine flour forms. Toss in the raw cashews and pulse until finely ground as well.
- Add the rest of the ingredients except for half of the lemon zest to the bowl of the food processor and pulse until a thick, uniform dough forms. This will take about a minute or two. You might need to stop and scrape the sides of the bowl once or twice.
- A simple way to make the ball shapes is to use a small cookie scoop to measure out each ball. Then roll the dough-like ball in between your hands until it forms an even ball. Roll each ball in the other half of the lemon zest to coat lightly.
Need an item in the this recipe? Click the Instacart button and have it sent right to you.
Notes
- Oatmeal - be sure to use quick-cooking
- Cashews - make sure you use raw cashews and not toasted. Raw gives you a creamy smooth texture that helps hold the balls together.
- Peanut butter - Buy a good quality, no sugars added brand of peanut butter. It might be a bit oily, I just pour off the extra oil and stir well when I first open the jar.
- Maple syrup - Don't buy the fake kind, only real maple syrup will do.
- Stevia - I use Pyure Stevia because it does not have additives such as erythritol.
- Lemon zest - Wash your lemon skin really well before you zest it, this adds an extra layer of lemon flavor
- Lemon juice - Don't use the bottled kind, only fresh-squeezed
- Ginger - For a healthy zippy flavor only use freshly grated not powder
- Turmeric - Be sure and buy a quality product for the best anti-inflammatory properties.
- Vanilla extract - Use real, not imitation.
- Salt - Just a pinch to draw out flavors.
Judy
Made these today. I enjoyed them. Easy to make and a good snack between meals. Thank you!
Gina
Thanks Judy, I'm happy you liked them.
chiny
For the 3 scoops of Pyure organic stevia, what size scoop?
Gina
it's the really tiny scoop that comes with the Pyure, Organic Stevia Extract, Powdered Sweetener, 0.9 oz. This is my favorite kind to use because there are no additives just stevia. I would say one scoop would be equal to two packets of stevia you would put in coffee or such.