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Golden Raisin No Bake Energy Bites—the perfect healthy vegetarian snack for when you bought one too many bags of raisins.

Golden Raisin No Bake Energy Bites coated with nuts, coconut, or chocolate

I hadn’t planned to share these golden raisin no bake energy bites until next week, but after seeing your response to these Fig Almond No Bake Energy Bites and these Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Balls, it seemed wrong to deny us all one more delectable excuse to shove an entire ball of goodness directly into our mouths.

The inspiration for this recipe was the outrageous quantity of golden raisins that mysteriously appeared in my pantry.

For whatever reason, I habitually believe that I am out of certain ingredients and stock up automatically without ever checking my pantry before heading to the store.

Judging by the three bags of unopened golden raisins on my shelf, I clearly harbor deep fears of running out of raisins (and, in effect, the ability to make Healthy Oatmeal Cookies).

Golden Raisin scattered on a white counter

5 Star Review

“I LOVE this healthy recipe and so do my kids!”

— Carrie —

How to Make Golden Raisin No Bake Energy Bites

These nutty and fruity no bake energy bites began with intentions to make a healthy sweet, truffle-inspired treat (like these Salted Caramel Truffles) and wound up with something so all-together wholesome, they are absolutely acceptable as a snack.

Whether you pop a golden raisin truffle for a mid-day pick-me-up, post-workout snack, or healthy dessert, you’ll revel in the fact that eating something this good is good for you too!


The Ingredients

  • Golden Raisins. Most energy bites and bars are made with dates (like these Vegan Protein Bars). This recipe deviates from the usual by opting for sweet tender golden raisins.

Ingredient Note

If you are not a big raisin fan, fear not—these no bake energy bites taste nothing like the hard raisin nuggets that lurk at the bottom of your breakfast cereal. Golden raisins—which are much milder in flavor than purple raisins—add body and sweetness, without overpowering the other ingredients.

  • Walnuts + Flaxseeds. Boast healthy fats and omegas-3s.
  • Rolled Oats. Lend a boost of fiber and give these little balls (and these Ginger Cookie Healthy Energy Balls) a big nutritional punch.
  • Honey. Provides natural sweetness and helps bind the balls together.

Ingredient Substitution

For vegan no bake energy bites, you may swap the honey for an equal amount of pure maple syrup.

  • Vanilla. Compliments the nutty walnuts and oats and marries well with the sweet golden raisins.
  • Salt. Just a pinch enhances the flavors of each ingredient while also balancing the sweetness of the raisins.
  • Toppings. For a healthier option, leave plain or roll in chop nuts. Personally, I took most of these no bake energy bites the dessert route by rolling them in chocolate sprinkles, toasted coconut, and cocoa powder.

If you’re interested in even more mix-in options and flavor adaptations, check out my comprehensive post on Energy Balls | The Ultimate Recipe Guide!

Healthy Golden Raisin Truffles rolled in assorted toppings

The Directions

  1. Soak the raisins in hot water until softened. Drain.
  2. Finely grind the nuts, oats, and flaxseed in a food processor.
  3. Add the raisins, honey, vanilla extract, and salt. Then pulse until a thick, sticky ball forms.
  4. Shape the mixture into 1-inch balls.
  5. Roll each ball in desired toppings to coat.
  6. Chill on a parchment-lined baking sheet until no longer sticky. ENJOY!

How to Store Golden Raisin Bites

  • To Store. Refrigerate energy balls in an airtight storage container for up to 1 week.
  • To Freeze. Freeze energy bites in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Thaw and enjoy as desired.
Healthy Walnut Raisin No Bake Energy Bites

Oh dear, now it really IS time to buy another bag of golden raisins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Golden Raisin Energy Bites Gluten Free?

Yes! This recipe, as it is written, is gluten free. If you are particularly sensitive to gluten, however, I encourage you to check your labels and source oats that are manufactured in a gluten free certified facility.

How can I Make No Bake Energy Bites Vegan?

To make vegan no bake energy bites with golden raisins, you may swap the honey for an equal amount of maple syrup.

Why are My Energy Balls Falling Apart?

Make sure you allow ample time for the energy bites to chill before enjoying. If your mixture seems extra soft add a few extra tablespoons of ground oats to help absorb the extra moisture and reach the desired consistency.

Gold Raisin No Bake Energy Bites

5 from 4 votes
These easy no bake golden raisin energy bites are a quick, healthy, vegetarian snack or dessert made with walnuts, oats, and flax.

Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 10 minutes

Servings: 12 bites

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup golden raisins lightly packed
  • 1/2 cup walnuts or nuts of choice
  • 1/4 cup rolled or quick-cooking oats plus 2 tablespoons
  • 2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds (or additional 2 tablespoons oats)
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
  • For topping: chopped nuts, toasted coconut flakes, cocoa powder, chocolate sprinkles

Instructions
 

  • Place the raisins in a small bowl and pour very hot water over the top to cover. Let soak 5 minutes, then drain and lightly pat dry.
  • Place the nuts, oats, and flaxseed in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade, then blend until finely ground.
  • Add the drained raisins, honey, vanilla extract, and salt. Pulse until a thick, sticky ball forms.
  • Remove the ball from the food processor, then roll into individual small balls, about 1 inch across. Sprinkle any desired toppings on individual plates, then roll the balls in the toppings to coat.
  • Place balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until no longer sticky. Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator or freezer.

Notes

  • TO STORE: Refrigerate energy balls in an airtight storage container for up to 1 week.
  • TO FREEZE: Freeze energy bites in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Thaw and enjoy as desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1(of 12) without toppingsCalories: 87kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 2gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gPotassium: 128mgFiber: 1gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 1mg

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Erin Clarke

Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME!

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6 Comments

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  1. Just stumbled across this recipe and whipped it up last night! How long do you leave them in the freezer to get them to the “not sticky” stage? I left them in for an hour and then put them in the fridge but they’re still super sticky this AM. Any ideas?

    1. Hi Kara! The balls shouldn’t be ultra sticky, just a little bit sticky My guess is that your raisins might have been extra moist or you might have added some extra honey, both of which would increase the moisture content. Ne t time, a few more oats will do the trick to get the dryer texture you were hoping for. With energy balls, it’s sometimes hard to get exact amounts, since dried fruit can vary in moisture content. Although they are a little sticky, I hope that they are still delicious to eat! You could try rolling them in toasted coconut or finely chopped nuts to make the outsides a little dryer if you like.

  2. Hi!! I LOVE this healthy recipe and so do my kids :) I’ve been making different versions, but would like to try using dried apricots instead of raisins for a lower sugar content. Any tips on that, like should I still soak the apricots before hand?? TIA5 stars

    1. Carrie, I’m so happy to hear you and your kids love these so much! I think apricots would be delicious. I’d cover them in very hot water, let them sit about 10 minutes to soften, then once they are cool enough to handle, drain and pat them dry. If the balls seem to dry when you are pulsing them, try adding a little nut butter or honey to thin them out a little. If you try the recipe this way, I”d love to hear how they turn out!

    1. Thank you for your kind words, Pam! I don’t have one at the moment, but I’m so pleased that you’ve enjoyed my recipes!