Quick Cherry Pie Energy Balls

Looking for a healthier way to enjoy the taste of cherry pie? These cherry pie energy balls are a simple, no-bake treat that captures all those familiar flavors without turning on the oven. Made with dates, dried cherries, and a handful of nuts, they’ve got that perfect blend of sweet and tart that we all love about cherry pie.

I keep a batch of these in my fridge for quick snacks, and they’re perfect for those afternoon energy slumps. Plus, my kids think they’re getting dessert when they grab one after school – and I’m totally okay with that!

What Kind of Dried Cherries Should I Use?

For energy balls, you can use either tart dried cherries (like Montmorency) or sweet dried cherries – both will work great in this recipe. Tart cherries have a more intense flavor and are packed with natural antioxidants, while sweet cherries provide a milder, more familiar taste that kids especially tend to prefer. When shopping for dried cherries, look for ones without added sugar if you want to keep the recipe on the healthier side. Just make sure your dried cherries are still soft and pliable – if they’re too dry and hard, try soaking them in warm water for about 10 minutes before using them in the recipe.

Options for Substitutions

These energy balls are super adaptable – here’s how you can mix things up:

• Dried cherries: You can swap dried cherries with other dried fruits like cranberries, raisins, or chopped dried apricots. Just make sure they’re soft and chewy for the best texture.
• Medjool dates: Any soft, sticky dates will work here. If using smaller dates like Deglet Noor, you might need to add 2-3 extra dates to get the right consistency.
• Cashews: Feel free to use almonds, walnuts, or pecans instead. The flavor will change slightly, but they’ll still hold together nicely.
• Cashew butter: Any nut or seed butter works great – try almond butter, peanut butter, or sunflower seed butter if you need a nut-free option.
• Quinoa flakes: Besides quick oats, you can use rolled oats (pulse them first in a food processor), or even crushed rice crispy cereal for a different texture.
• Maple syrup: Since this is optional anyway, you can skip it or replace it with honey or agave nectar if you want that extra sweetness.
• Shredded coconut: Being optional, you can leave this out or replace it with hemp seeds, chia seeds, or even mini chocolate chips for rolling.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Making

The biggest challenge when making energy balls is getting the right consistency – if your mixture is too dry, the balls won’t hold together, while too wet and they’ll be sticky and difficult to roll. To achieve the perfect texture, start by ensuring your dried fruit is fresh and pliable (hard, overly dry cherries and dates won’t process well).

A common mistake is rushing the food processing step – take your time and pause occasionally to scrape down the sides, making sure all ingredients are evenly broken down and combined. If your mixture isn’t sticking together when pressed, try adding an extra tablespoon of nut butter or a few drops of water, rather than immediately adding more maple syrup which could make them too sweet.

For easier rolling, try chilling the mixture for 15-20 minutes first, and keep your hands slightly damp to prevent sticking – this simple trick makes the whole process much cleaner and faster.

What to Serve With Energy Balls?

These cherry pie energy balls make a perfect grab-and-go snack, but they’re even better when paired with your morning coffee or afternoon tea! I like to serve them alongside a protein smoothie for a filling post-workout treat that gives me the energy I need. They also work great as part of a breakfast spread with yogurt and fresh fruit, or packed in a lunchbox with some nuts and apple slices. Since these energy balls are pretty sweet on their own, I find that balancing them with something slightly tart or neutral helps create a more satisfying snack experience.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These cherry pie energy balls are perfect for grab-and-go snacks! Pop them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. I like to separate layers with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together.

Freeze: Want to make a big batch? These energy balls freeze really well! Place them in a freezer-safe container, with parchment paper between layers, and they’ll stay good for up to 3 months. It’s super handy to have them ready whenever you need a quick energy boost.

Thaw: When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen energy balls, just transfer them to the fridge the night before. Or if you’re in a hurry, let them sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. They taste great cold or at room temp!

Preparation Time	15-20 minutes
Cooking Time	0-5 minutes
Total Time	30-40 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1200-1400
• Protein: 20-25 g
• Fat: 60-70 g
• Carbohydrates: 150-170 g

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups dried cherries
• 1/2 cup pitted medjool dates
• 1 cup raw cashew pieces
• 1 tablespoon cashew butter (or your preferred nut butter)
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup (optional)
• 1/2 cup quinoa flakes or gluten-free quick oats
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut (optional)

Step 1: Prepare the Cherries

Place cherries in a bowl with warm water and let them soak for 15 minutes to rehydrate.

Once soaked, drain the cherries thoroughly to remove any excess water.

Step 2: Process the Fruit

Transfer the drained cherries along with the dates into the bowl of a food processor equipped with a steel blade.

Process the mixture until the fruit begins to come together, which should take about 30 seconds.

Step 3: Add and Distribute Cashews

Add cashews to the fruit mixture in the food processor.

Process again for another 30 seconds until the cashews are broken apart and evenly distributed throughout the fruit mixture.

Step 4: Form the Dough with Cashew Butter

With the processor running, add cashew butter to the mixture.

Continue processing until the combination starts to form a sticky dough.

You can add a bit of maple syrup at this stage if you desire a sweeter result.

Step 5: Integrate Quinoa Flakes or Oats

Pulse in quinoa flakes (or oats) into the mixture until the dough holds its shape when pressed between your fingers, indicating it is ready to be manipulated into balls.

Step 6: Shape and Chill the Energy Balls

Scoop out 2 tablespoons of dough and roll it into a ball between your hands.

If desired, roll each ball in coconut flakes for extra flavor and texture.

Place the formed balls on a plate and repeat the process until all the dough is used up.

Chill the energy balls in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Store any leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.