Key Lime Pie Cheesecake No Bake Energy Balls
These no bake energy balls are perfect if you’re looking for an easy summer dessert idea or an easy meal prep snack.
File this recipe under simple summer desserts, or really any season dessert. These are so good, it’s hard to believe they’re also healthy. I’m not a fan of the texture of cheesecake but love the flavor, so these energy balls are a perfect compromise for me. My sister said they taste like a bite of cheese cake and crust mixed into one. They have a firmer, yet still creamy texture. I don’t use key limes in this recipe- regular ripe limes work well.
Coconut pairs so perfectly with the flavors of key lime pie, so I added a bit into this energy ball recipe. I got the idea from one of our favorite bakeries that makes their key lime pie with a coconut cookie crust, and it’s amazing. I used unsweetened raw shredded coconut to roll these no bake balls in, but they’d be so great rolled in toasted coconut too.
These oat balls are great for summer gatherings, pool party desserts, or as a meal prep snack for the week ahead. They’re especially great for picnic desserts for hot weather, and a kid friendly snack too. These take a few hours to firm up and to allow the flavors to blend, so making these the day before you want to eat them is suggested but definitely not required. You can store them in the refrigerator, but I’d recommend taking them out to warm up and soften a bit before serving.
The lime is really important to this recipe. You can choose a ripe and juicy lime by making sure the skin is smoother, the color of the skin is paler green and that it has some give when you give a gentle squeeze. When it comes to the cream cheese, choose a brand that has minimal ingredients and additives. I use Whole Foods brand, but Organic Valley is good too and easy to find in other stores!
Recipe for ‘Key Lime Pie Cheesecake No Bake Energy Balls’
Yields 12-14 balls
Cook time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
1/4 cup raw cashews (no salt, unroasted)
Zest of 1 lime, plus more for garnish if desired
1 tsp fresh squeezed lime juice
1 tbsp cream cheese
1 tbsp raw or natural honey
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp fine sea salt
1 tbsp shredded coconut (unsweetened), + extra for coating
1/2 cup + 1 tbsp oat flour (store bought, or homemade oat flour in blender)
Directions
In a food processor, blend the cashews until they’re very fine or form a paste.
Add the cream cheese, salt, honey, vanilla, lime zest and lime juice and blend until completely smooth.
Add the flour and coconut and pulse a few times, then blend until fully combined.
Optional: In a small bowl, add about 1/3 cup shredded coconut (raw or toasted, your preference) and some extra lime zest to roll balls in.
Measure out a slightly heaping 1 tsp of mixture per ball and roll into a ball. Roll in coconut and lime zest mixture and place on parchment. Allow to set for a few hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
