Strawberry Crunch Energy Balls {No-Bake}
These No-Bake Strawberry Crunch Energy Balls taste like little strawberry crunch ice cream bites! They are easy-to-make and packed with nutrients. These raw strawberry energy bites are vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, paleo, and made with only 5 ingredients.
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These no-bake strawberry crunch energy balls are my new favorite snack!
They are sweet, smooth, and crunchy at the same time and are the perfect summer snack all year round.
They are made with only 5 ingredients which are full of vitamins, antioxidants, protein, and fiber. These raw bites are vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and paleo.
Nothing is better than delicious and healthy treats that are easy to make. They are also perfect for meal prep and are freezer-friendly.
When the strawberry energy bites are served straight out of the freezer they taste just like strawberry crunch ice cream bars.
If you want to switch it up, try these No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookies and No-Bake Brownies as well.
Why I love these no-bake strawberry crunch energy balls
- First of all, they are freaking delicious! They 100% taste like little strawberry crunch ice cream bites. But they are so much healthier!
- They are vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and paleo
- So easy to make. All that’s needed is a food processor. No oven needed.
- All you need are five ingredients that I usually have at home anyway.
- They are freezer-friendly which means that they are perfect for meal prep. After making a large batch I know that when ever I need a snack, there are healthy no bake strawberry crunch energy balls in the freezer.
- They basically taste like summer. It’s the perfect summer snack, all year round!
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Are raw strawberry crunch energy balls healthy?
These delicious paleo strawberry energy balls are made with five wholesome and nutritious ingredients; dates, cashews, freeze-dried strawberries, vanilla extract, and coconut.
Are freeze-dried strawberries good for you?
Heck yes, freeze-dried strawberries are good for you!
Not only are they convenient and keep “fresh” for a long time, but they are also packed with nutrients, just like regular fresh or frozen strawberries.
During the freeze-drying process, most or all of the nutrition is being conserved in the berry. Great, right?
Strawberries are known for being rich in vitamin c and antioxidants. They also have a good amount of potassium and folate (vitamin B9). You can read more about the health benefits of strawberries here.
The freeze-dried berries have a slightly different taste than the fresh berry. It’s mainly because during the conservation process, all the water is being removed making the flavor very concentrated. They are both sweet and sour making the taste buds dance with joy!
Why should I soak the cashews nuts?
To make these freezer-bites I soak the cashew nuts before blending them with the other vegan ingredients.
There are so many benefits to soaking nuts and seeds.
To start with, it is easier for the body to digest and break down the nuts after they have been soaked in water. This is great if you have a sensitive stomach.
Secondly, soaking makes it easier for the body to absorb all the nutrients that are found in cashews. This means that you will benefit even more from all the healthy components of the nut.
Lastly, presoaking the nuts makes the energy bites extra soft and smooth! A huge reason to not skip this step.
You can either soak the cashews in cold water overnight (minimum of 6 hours) or in hot water for 2 hours. Add a pinch of salt to the water as well. When done soaking, drain and rinse the nuts before adding them to the blender.
However, if you are short on time, you can skip the soaking process.
What are strawberry crunch raw balls made of?
All that’s needed to make these delicious, healthy, paleo, and vegan strawberry energy bites are five ingredients, five! However, you can add a few extra add-ins to boost these healthy treats to the next level.
No-bake Strawberry Crunch Energy Balls
- Raw cashews (soaked and drained)
- Medjool dates
- Vanilla extract
- Freeze-dried strawberries
- Coconut shreds (for rolling)
Optional add-ins
- Hemp seeds
- Chia seeds
- Coconut shreds
How to make Raw strawberry energy bites
Start with soaking the raw cashews with a pinch of salt in hot water for 2 hours or in cold water overnight on the kitchen counter. Then drain and rinse the nuts. Set aside.
If the Medjool dates are not soft, you can soak them too in hot water to soften them up. Soak for 10 minutes and then drain the water.
Now, into a food processor, add soaked raw cashews, dates, and vanilla extract. Blend until a smooth paste/dough has formed.
Then, if you are using any optional add-ins, add them to the food processor as well and blend until it’s incorporated.
Now, add the majority (save about ¼ cup for rolling) of the freeze-dried strawberries and shaved coconut into the food processor and plus it a few times. Don’t over mix it because then you will lose the crunch effect.
Put the cashew strawberry crunch dough in the fridge and leave it there for 20-30 minutes to settle. This will make it easier to roll into balls.
In a shallow dish or a plate, mix the coconut shreds with the reminding dried strawberries. (If you like you can blitz the strawberries and coconut quickly in a clean food processor to make the coating finer, see picture above.)
Lastly, scoop up the no-bake strawberry crunch energy dough and roll it into balls. Then roll the balls in the strawberry coconut mix to coat the outside.
Enjoy!
How to store the strawberry crunch raw balls
When it comes to no-bake energy bites I always love storing them in the freezer. And these, strawberry shortcake energy balls are no exception.
When eaten straight out of the freezer they literally taste like strawberry crunch ice cream cake! It is so smooth and tastes just magical!
How long does strawberry crunch last in the fridge?
You can store them in the fridge too. They will last about 1 week in the fridge. But as mentioned above, I highly recommend keeping them in the freezer. You will miss out if you don’t do it…
Have you seen this No-Bake Dessert Round-Up blog post I’ve made? If not, check it out. I’m sure you will be able to find a couple of other treats you really want to make.
I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR CREATIONS! YOU CAN USE “TRIED IT” ON PINTEREST OR SHARE ON INSTAGRAM BY TAGGING #SHUANGYSEATS
Other Energy Ball recipes you might like:
1. No-Bake Snickerdoodle Energy Bites
2. Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls
3. No-Bake BRownie Bites
Get the recipe:Strawberry Crunch Energy Balls {No-Bake}
Ingredients
- 2 cups of raw cashews, soaked and drained *
- 6-7 large medjool dates, pitted, room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2/3 cup freeze-dried strawberries, lightly crushed, divided
- ¼ cup coconut shreds for rolling
Optional add-ins
- ¼ cup hemp seeds
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- ¼ cup coconut shreds
Instructions
- Start with soaking the raw cashews with a pinch of salt in hot water for 2 hours or in cold water overnight on the kitchen counter. Then drain and rinse the nuts well. Set aside. *
- If the Medjool dates are not soft, you can soak them in hot water to soften them up. Soak for 10 minutes and then drain the water.
- Add soaked raw cashews, dates, and vanilla extract to a food processor. Blend until a smooth paste/dough has formed.
- If adding optional add-ins, add them to the food processor as well and blend until it’s incorporated.
- Add the majority (save about ¼ cup for rolling) of the freeze-dried strawberries and coconut to the food processor and plus it a few times. Don’t over mix it because then you will lose the crunch effect.
- Put the cashew strawberry crunch dough in the fridge and leave it there for 20-30 minutes to settle. This will make it easier to roll into balls.
- In a shallow dish or plate, mix the coconut shreds with the reminding dried strawberries (If preferred, you can break them into little pieces in a blender).
- Scoop up the dough and roll it into balls. Roll the balls in the strawberry coconut mix to coat the outside.
- Enjoy!
Notes
The Nutrition Facts above are specific to the ingredients I chose to use for this recipe, which may vary.
these are so good! keeping them in the freezer for the perfect evening treat
Hi Katelyn! We are so happy you are enjoying these sweet treats 🙂
Let us know if you try out any others!
All the best,
Constance