This summer, my husband starting experimenting with making his own energy balls for biking. Since I’m always on the lookout for delicious ski snacks, I’m sharing his favorite recipes (plus one from a friend), today.
Ski Snack Recipes to Try
Both of these recipes take about 15 minutes to make. Store energy balls in the freezer, in snack size ziplock bags. This makes it easy to grab and go.
Cherries, Dates and Almonds: Combine 1 cup of almonds, 1 cup of dried cherries, 1 cup of dried dates, and a dash of cinnamon in a food processor. Pulse until it forms a ball, scraping down the sides of the bowl. Use your hands to shape smaller balls, then set on wax paper and chill for an hour.
Mixed Nuts, Apricots, Dates and Coconut: Combine 1 cup of mixed nuts, 1 cup of dried apricots, 1 cup of dried dates, and 1 cup of unsweetened coconut chips in a food processor. Pulse until a large ball forms. Shape into small balls and chill overnight.
Note: Mixed nuts have more oil than almonds and I find this recipe a bit too oily. I think almonds are a better choice, but not everyone agrees. You can also substitute dried pineapple for the apricots.
Once you start down the path of making your own bars, it turns out your friends have suggestions, too.
Here’s a recipe suggested by my friend Deana, via country music singer Trisha Yearwood. Without a doubt these are more decadent, as they contain honey and chocolate. But they are also really satisfying. You won’t need more than one.
Because I can’t cook without adapting recipes, I substitute golden raisins for sweetened dried cranberries.
Trisha Yearwood’s Power Balls: Combine 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats, 1 cup extra-crunchy peanut butter, 1/2 cup raw honey, 1/2 cup chocolate chips, 1/2 cup dried golden raisins, 1/2 cup sunflower seeds and 2 tablespoons flax seed in a food processor. Pulse until a large ball forms. Shape into small balls and chill overnight.
No-Prep Snacks You Can Buy
For times even making our own energy balls seems like too much work, we’re still all in on Munk Packs (Fruit and Oatmeal blends) and Noka packs (veggie and fruit purees). I like the no-mess convenience of these pouches and we think all of the offerings from both of these brands taste great.
I’m also totally in on dried fruit and nuts, cheese, chocolate and good old-fashioned apples.
As for commercial bars, my favorite is KIND Nut Delight. Mostly nuts (and big crunchy chunks of them), this bar has only 5 g of sugar (other KIND bars have up to 17 g of sugar).
More Ski Snacks and Ski Food:
- Ski Snacks, December 8, 2011.
- Don’t Go Hungry! Ski Vacation Tips for Feeding the Family, January 23, 2013.
- You Gotta Get It: The Ski House Cookbook, November 7, 2011.
- Ski Food, Elevated. Four Favorite Ski-Themed Cookbooks, December 14, 2015.
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Jeanne Guernsey says
Interesting flavors with Blueberry Lavender and Ginger Lemon. I will have to check those out for sure, but the Chocolate Nuts and Sea Salt sounds the best to me. I have been meaning to try to make my own energy balls after getting hooked on Larabar Bites. Thanks for the recipes.
braveskimom says
Chocolate is always good!
Andra Byrnes says
Thanks for sharing! Think I’ll try all of these. Nice to have options. I’m like you with tweeking recipes. These sound good for in the car as well.
braveskimom says
Thanks for commenting!
Heather Holden says
Larabars have been a favorite lately, but I’d love to try these Thrive Bars. The Caramel Coconut sounds good.
braveskimom says
It is good! Thanks!
Heather Holden says
I follow GoMacro on Facebook and Twitter
braveskimom says
You’ve got two entries! Thank you!
Suzi Smart (@SuziSmartPhoto) says
Thanks. I’m always looking for new snack ideas for when we’re active and on the go. I’ve been making energy balls with dates, sunflower seeds, oats, cranberries, cocoa and coconut. That way they are safe to send to school as they are great for a quick snack especially on these days he has his after school forest school program.
braveskimom says
Those sound delicious! Thanks!
Michelle says
Those bars look good and the flavors sound tasty!
braveskimom says
Thanks Michelle!
Krista Miller says
Some seriously unique flavor combinations here which would be wonderful to introduce to my kids!
braveskimom says
I agree! Nice to broaden the taste horizons!
Krista Miller says
I follow GoMacro on Twitter, thanks!
braveskimom says
Thanks Krista! That’s two entries.
Bets says
These look delicious.
braveskimom says
Thanks Bets! Good luck!
Lynette says
I bicycle and ski so I would be very interested in trying these. I am always looking for good energy bars! Thanks for the chance to win some. They look tasty.
braveskimom says
Thank you Lynette!
Fiona N says
These snack bars look so delicious. I am most excited to try the Caramel Coconut flavor
Thank You
braveskimom says
I know! Delicious! Cheers!
Fiona N says
I am following GoMacro on Facebook as name: fiona nuyen
Thank You again
braveskimom says
You are welcome and you have two entries!
Dandi D says
I would love to try these–they sound so yummy!
braveskimom says
Thanks! Enjoy!
Dandi D says
I follow them on Twitter as @dandidaffyhill.
braveskimom says
Wonderful! That’s two entries for you!
Nicole says
I would love to try these! That blueberry lavender one sounds so good!
braveskimom says
It is good…although I like the coconut caramel a lot, too!
Nicole says
I follow GoMacro on facebook
braveskimom says
Thanks Nicole! You’re entered twice!
Vunda V says
i would love to have these in my bag for our next hike!
braveskimom says
Of course you would! Thanks so much!
Vunda V says
i follow go macro on facebook too!
braveskimom says
You’re entered twice!
Vera K says
Of course I’d like to try these bars. They sound fantastic.
braveskimom says
Good luck Vera!
jujubee777 says
Yum i’d love to try these!
braveskimom says
You’re entered! Good luck!