Today we’ve got recipes for three different energy balls — all of which make great ski, bike, hike, whatever snacks. Plus a giveaway from Thrive Bars.
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.
Cherries, almonds, dates and a bit of cinnamon.
Those same cherries, almonds and dates all mixed up. It takes between 5-7 minutes to get them to this smooth consistency.
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.
Ski snacks to buy. Don’t forget apples and cheese, too.
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).
My husband has a different opinion. We recently received samples of Thrive Ancient Seeds Super Food Nut Bars, a new product from GoMacro, an organic food company offering up creations made from natural, non GMO ingredients and ancient grains like quinoa, flax, rice and hemp.
His verdict after indulging in a bar during long mountain bike: they taste great and aren’t too sweet.
Indeed, the bars, which come in six flavors (Chocolate, Nuts and Sea Salt, Caramel Coconut, Almond Apricot, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup, Blueberry Lavender and Ginger Lemon) have only 6-8 g of sugar.
The crunchy, chewy texture of a blueberry lavender Thrive Bar.
Available at Whole Foods, Amazon and GoMacro.com, they’re worth a try if you like a combination of crunchy and chewy. Plus, you can use this code (Thrive30) for 30% your first purchase at GoMacro.com.
Giveaway
GoMacro.com is offering a box of 12 assorted Thrive Bars as a giveaway.
If you’d like to try these bars, please leave a comment. For a second entry, follow GoMacro on Facebook or Twitter. One winner will be chosen randomly from all eligible entries on October 26, 2016.
Good luck.
To facilitate this post, we were given a box of Thrive bars to sample. As always, all opinions are my own and are exactly what I would tell my family and friends.
This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Nicole!
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.
© 2016 – 2017, braveskimom. All rights reserved. Any use or publication of content, including photos, requires express permission.
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.
Chocolate is always good!
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.
Thanks for commenting!
Larabars have been a favorite lately, but I’d love to try these Thrive Bars. The Caramel Coconut sounds good.
It is good! Thanks!
I follow GoMacro on Facebook and Twitter
You’ve got two entries! Thank you!
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.
Those sound delicious! Thanks!
Those bars look good and the flavors sound tasty!
Thanks Michelle!
Some seriously unique flavor combinations here which would be wonderful to introduce to my kids!
I agree! Nice to broaden the taste horizons!
I follow GoMacro on Twitter, thanks!
Thanks Krista! That’s two entries.
These look delicious.
Thanks Bets! Good luck!
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.
Thank you Lynette!
These snack bars look so delicious. I am most excited to try the Caramel Coconut flavor
Thank You
I know! Delicious! Cheers!
I am following GoMacro on Facebook as name: fiona nuyen
Thank You again
You are welcome and you have two entries!
I would love to try these–they sound so yummy!
Thanks! Enjoy!
I follow them on Twitter as @dandidaffyhill.
Wonderful! That’s two entries for you!
I would love to try these! That blueberry lavender one sounds so good!
It is good…although I like the coconut caramel a lot, too!
I follow GoMacro on facebook
Thanks Nicole! You’re entered twice!
i would love to have these in my bag for our next hike!
Of course you would! Thanks so much!
i follow go macro on facebook too!
You’re entered twice!
Of course I’d like to try these bars. They sound fantastic.
Good luck Vera!
Yum i’d love to try these!
You’re entered! Good luck!