Cranberry Almond Balls

Part snack, part dessert, these cranberry almond balls are worth keeping in the pantry for any time you need to curb your sweet tooth. Deliciously chewy and nutty yet relatively low in sugar, they’re one of our favorite healthy snacks to eat when junk food cravings hit.

Best of all, these cranberry almond energy balls are an easy treat to make. All you need are eight ingredients and a food processor—no cooking, baking or chopping required. Simply combine the almonds, dried fruits, oats, a pinch of salt and a bit of sweetener in the food processor and then pulse until a sticky batter forms. Shape the batter into bite-sized balls, and save these speedy, perfectly sweet snacks for whenever, wherever.

Ingredients for Cranberry Almond Balls

• Almonds: Crunchy almonds are the star of this easy no-bake dessert. Use sliced almonds, ideally blanched.
• Dates: Dates add sweetness and a delightful chewy texture to cranberry almond energy balls. Don’t forget to remove the pits; just slice each date in half and tug it out. Or, make it easier for yourself by buying pitted dates.
• Cranberries: To bring the punchy flavor of cranberries without their signature sourness, reach for a bag of dried cranberries, which are sweet and tender.
• Old-fashioned oats: Make sure you don’t leave the store with instant oats. Old-fashioned oats are whole oat grouts that have been steamed and flattened, which makes them safe to eat unbaked or “raw,” as in this recipe.
• Almond butter: Creamy, wholesome almond butter binds together the nuts, grains and fruits in these cranberry almond energy balls. Pick up one of our favorite almond butter brands.
• Honey or maple syrup: You’ll need a liquid sweetener for this recipe since granulated sugars won’t dissolve into the no-bake batter. You can use honey or maple syrup—your choice!
• Salt: Adding a dash of salt to a sweet recipe creates a balanced flavor profile.
• Almond extract: If you really love almond recipes, you’ll want to lean into the flavor here by adding aromatic almond extract.

Directions

Step 1: Chop the almonds

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Place the almonds in a food processor.

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Pulse the almonds until finely chopped.

Step 2: Blend the batter

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Add the dates, cranberries, oats, almond butter, honey, salt and, if desired, almond extract.

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Pulse until the mixture is well-combined and sticky.

Step 3: Shape the energy balls

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Shape or scoop the batter into 1-1/2-inch balls.

Editor’s Tip: Since the balls won’t be baked, they won’t flatten at all, so aim for even shapes.

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Cranberry Almond Balls Variations

• Go gluten-free: Look for oats labeled as certified gluten-free to make almond balls as an easy gluten-free snack.
• Swap in another nut: Play with the nuts, nut butters or both! Try using chopped cashews with cashew butter or peanuts and peanut butter. Or, mix and match with pecans and almond butter, walnuts and peanut butter, and so on.
• Change up the dried fruit: Instead of cranberries, use raisins, golden raisins, currants or other small, soft dried fruits.

How to Store Cranberry Almond Balls

Store the cranberry almond energy balls in an airtight container. Keep them in layers between sheets of parchment so they won’t stick together. You can keep them in the refrigerator or at room temperature.

How long do cranberry almond balls last?

On the counter at room temperature, almond balls will last up to two days. In the fridge, they will keep for up to one week.

Can you make cranberry almond balls in advance?

Yes, cranberry almond energy balls are a great make-ahead homemade snack. They keep for a week in the fridge, or you can make them ahead and freeze them for up to three months. Thaw the energy balls in the refrigerator overnight.

Cranberry Almond Ball Tips

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What can you serve with cranberry almond balls?

Cranberry almond balls are very versatile. Enjoy them as a light dessert, a healthy sweet snack or even a tasty breakfast. They’re also small enough to travel well, making them a great choice to pack for a picnic or to take to a casual potluck. Or, make them in the fall, when the back-to-school rush puts pressure on finding filling treats for school lunches.

How do you make homemade almond butter for cranberry almond balls?

To make homemade almond butter, put almonds in a food processor. Process them for several minutes until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. At first, it may seem hopeless: The almonds will first form dry flecks like almond flour, then bunch into a ball. Make sure to stop the food processor to scrape down the bowl occasionally. Eventually, if you are very patient, the mixture will give way to a spreadable, smooth butter. Add a pinch of salt and a drizzle of maple syrup, then pulse a few more times.