Pina Colada Energy Balls with Fresh Pineapple
When it comes to energizing snacks, nothing beats the convenience and deliciousness of energy balls. These bite-sized treats are not only a great source of quick energy but can also satisfy your sweet cravings in a healthier way. If you’re a fan of tropical flavors, get ready for a flavor-filled journey as we introduce you to our delightful Pina Colada Energy Balls with fresh pineapple.
If you like these summery energy balls, you’ll love my Lemon Blueberry ones too.
Pina Colada Energy Ball Ingredients
Pineapple
Pineapple is not only a refreshing and juicy tropical fruit; it also boasts an impressive nutritional profile. Rich in vitamin C, manganese, and antioxidants, pineapple supports a healthy immune system, aids digestion, and promotes skin health.
Vitamin C is essential for immune health, iron absorption, and growth and development, while manganese offers antioxidant properties and aids in growth and metabolism
“Pineapple: 8 Impressive Health Benefits” by Lisa Wartenberg, MFA, RD, LD & Ryan Raman, MS, RD, Healthline.com
In this recipe, use fresh or canned. If using fresh, chop finely. If buying in the can, get the crushed in juice. Either way, be sure to squeeze the excess juice from the pineapple in a tea towel.
If you like pineapple, you’ll love these Hummingbird Muffins.
Coconut
You can’t have pineapple without the coconut in Pina Coladas. Coconut adds a chewy element to these energy balls that I love. Use unsweetened coconut for a healthier ball.
Macadamia Nuts & Orange Zest
Macadamia nuts are loaded with antioxidants. According to an article at Healthline.com, “10 Health Benefits of Macadamia Nuts” by Alina Petre MS, RD:
Macadamia nuts are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, yet low in carbs and sugar. What’s more, they boast healthy monounsaturated fats.
Alina Petre, MS RD
Orange Zest is an added nudge of tropical flavors. If you don’t want to mess with zest, just omit. However, I find it gives these energy balls a delightful kiss of citrus.
Nut Butter & Honey
Use any nut butter you prefer in these energy balls. I like them with almond butter, but peanut or cashew would work too. Kudos if you can source macadamia nut butter.
I love to add honey to my energy balls. After all, it is nature’s sweetener. Maple syrup can be subbed as well.
Oats & Flax
Oats offer a heart healthy carb, while flaxseed is high in omega-3s, protein, and fiber. Both act as a binder for these tropical balls.
Ready in 15-Minutes
These Pina Colada Energy Balls with Fresh Pineapple are ready in 15-minutes, require no cooking, and your kids can help (if you have the energy for it). They are as easy as this:
- Whisk wet ingredients together.
- Dump in dry ingredients.
- Stir, roll into balls, and enjoy!
One important step with these Pina Colada energy balls with fresh pineapple, is to squeeze out the juice from the pineapple. To do this, take a clean tea towel (other towels could leave lint), place chopped pineapple in the middle, gather the corners at the top, twist the towel, ringing out the juice.
If you don’t ring out the juice, you’ll have soggy balls. No one likes soggy balls.
Substitutions
- Almonds for macadamia nuts
- Dried Pineapple for fresh or canned
- Chia Seeds for flax
- Peanut Butter or Sunflower Seed Butter for almond butter
- Maple Syrup for honey
More Energy Ball Recipes
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Pina Colada Energy Balls with Fresh Pineapple
Equipment
- 1 Cookie Scoop
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Almond Butter or any nut butter
- 1/4 cup Raw Honey
- 1 tsp Vanilla
- 8oz can Pineapple-crushed (or 1/3 cup fresh chopped) juice squeezed out & discarded
Dry Ingredients
- 1-1/2 cups Oats old fashion or quick
- 1/4 cup Flaxseed milled
- 1/2 cup Coconut Flakes unsweetened
- 1/2 cup Macadamia Nuts chopped
- 1/4 tsp Sea salt optional
- Zest of 1 orange optional
Instructions
- Whisk together nut butter, honey, and vanilla.
- If using canned pineapple, drain pineapple. Dump pineapple (canned or if using fresh) onto tea towel. Gather tips of towel together at the top, twist towel, ringing out the excess juice. Place pineapple in bowl with other wet ingredients. Stir to combine.
- Add in the dry ingredients to the wet. Stir until combined.
- Roll into balls using a cookie scoop or spoon. Refrigerate and enjoy.