No Bake Lemon Poppy Seed Snack Balls

These healthy, no bake lemon poppy seed snack balls are the perfect make-ahead snack to help you power through your day. With their bright, cheery flavor, simple ingredients, and no added sugar, they'll help you beat that afternoon slump for sure! (vegan, gluten-free)

I used to be baffled by the internet's obsession with snack balls (or energy bites, protein balls, whatever else you want to call them). I also didn't really eat snacks often because I had a rule against snacks…so I had no need for snack balls. Then I got pregnant with Queen C - cue the constant hunger. I made a couple snack ball recipes, and suddenly I was obsessed with them too! Then as a busy new mom who was nursing, I relied on snack balls even more to fuel me through nursing sessions around the clock - the ingredients in these type of snack balls are great for milk supply! Two kids later, I'm even more in love with snack balls for their convenience, taste and nutrition.

I came up with these lemon poppy seed snack balls while I was on a lemon kick (who doesn’t love all the lemon things?) as a way to use up some of the lemons I impulse-bought one day. They have quickly become a new favorite! Try them for yourself next time you're meal prepping for the week.

Why You'll Love These Lemon Poppy Seed Snack Balls

• These lemon poppy seed snack balls as simply delicious! They're bursting with lemon flavor, and have the classic lemon poppy seed taste you love with just a hint of almond extract.
• They're full of nutrients! Thanks to almond flour and rolled oats, these snack bites are loaded with fiber, plus a decent amount of healthy fat and plant protein. That means they've got serious staying power, which is what you want in a snack, right? They're also naturally sweetened with just dates, and are gluten-free and vegan, if that's your jam.
• They're super easy to make and perfect for meal prep!

The Ingredients

• Rolled Oats - Always the base of my snack balls, because they're loaded with fiber and great for cholesterol. Oats are great for milk supply if you're breast feeding, too! 
• Almond Flour - I wanted  a nice hint of almond flavor in these lemon poppy seed balls, so I used almond flour. It gives these balls a slightly nutty, almond flavor, plus a good dose of healthy fat and protein.
• Dates - Dates are the binder for these snack balls, and lend a natural sweetness with no added sugar. You can use any pitted dates you have (such as Medjool or Deglet Noor). 
• Lemons - Of course! I use both the juice and the zest for extra lemon flavor.
• Poppy Seeds - While not absolutely necessary, the poppy seeds are a nice touch in these delicious snack balls.
• Almond Extract - For that classic lemon poppy seed bakery flavor.

How To Make No-Bake Lemon Poppy Seed Snack Balls

1. To make these delicious snack balls, simply combine all of the ingredients in a food processor (I love this little one) and blend until the dates are very finely chopped and you have a smooth-ish 'dough'. Stop and scrape down the sides with a spatula and/or add water as necessary.
2. Then scoop the dough (I use a 1 tablespoon cookie scoop), roll with your hands into a smooth ball, and repeat!
3. That's it. Seriously.

How To Store Snack Balls

• I store these lemon poppy seed snack balls in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to a week. I love them cold straight from the fridge, but they'll be fine left out, for example if you take a few to work with you.
• You can also freeze these lemon poppy seed snack balls and take them out to thaw as needed.

More Healthy & Delicious Snack Ball Recipes You'll Love

• Apricot White Chocolate Snack Balls 
• Peanut Butter Cup Quinoa Snack Balls
• Cranberry Bliss Balls
• Monster Cookie Snack Balls

Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the comments below!

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