Apricot and macadamia nut energy balls made with simple, wholesome ingredients. A naturally sweet snack that’s quick, easy and great for on the go.
The idea for these apricot and macadamia nut energy balls came from a granola recipe I spotted on social media a few years ago. The combination of sweet apricots with creamy macadamia nuts stuck with me. It was simple, nourishing, and just a little bit indulgent. These energy balls are my take on that flavour pairing. I turned it into a quick, no-bake snack that’s perfect for keeping on hand throughout the week.
What I love most about these energy balls is how they manage to feel like a treat while still being made from real, wholesome foods. The apricots add a rich, fruity sweetness and a soft, slightly sticky texture that helps bind everything together. Meanwhile the macadamia nuts bring a subtle creaminess and gentle crunch. Together, they create a lovely contrast. Sweet, buttery, and just a bit indulgent, all without the need for added sugars or processed ingredients.
It’s also the kind of recipe that fits easily into low-waste or bulk shopping habits. I often buy the ingredients from my local refill shop. And the recipe is flexible enough to adjust depending on what you’ve got to hand if needed. You could swap out macadamia nuts for another type of nut. Or use sunflower seeds instead of sesame if that is what you have.
Whether you’re making them as a snack to take on the go, or just want something sweet and satisfying to keep in the fridge, these little bites are a great option to have up your sleeve.
Star Ingredient
Apricots bring a natural sweetness and soft, chewy texture to these energy balls. This makes them the perfect accent flavour ingredient. Packed with fibre, potassium, and antioxidants, dried apricots offer a simple way to add a nutritious boost to your snacks. All of that and without needing additional sugar.
When shopping for dried apricots, you might notice two types: regular dried apricots and unsulphured dried apricots. Both types can used in this recipe. But they do have a few differences worth knowing:
- Regular dried apricots are often bright orange in colour. These are the ones you will probably recognise. This vibrant hue comes from the use of sulphur dioxide, a preservative that helps retain their colour and extend shelf life.
- Unsulphured dried apricots skips this preservative. They tend to be darker in colour, usually a deep brown or rich amber. And they can have a slightly more caramel-like flavour. They’re a great option for those looking to avoid added preservatives or eat more naturally.
Whichever version you choose, apricots bring that lovely balance of tart and sweet to every bite, making them a standout ingredient in these simple, no-bake energy balls.
How to Purchase Ingredients to be Conscious to the Planet
The ingredients for energy balls can are easily purchasable from refill shops. This can be useful especially if you want to try out a flavour pairing that you are not as familiar with. You can buy just as much as you need for a recipe. Therefore, if you are not a fan, you are not ending up with ingredients that you will not use up.
Dates and oats tend to the base for all my energy ball recipes and these are great to pick up in bulk. Ground almonds are also a regular ingredient, so I tend to take a larger glass jar for picking up these.
Both dried and unsulphured dried apricots can be found within refill shops. Any type of airtight container works well for dried fruit. You can reuse containers or jars that you already have. Pasta sauce jars get reused a lot for my shopping.
For nuts, I tend to use my elephant box seal and go trio tins. As they are different size, I can grab the one that will be most useful in relation to the product I’m going to pop into them. They easily stack inside each other as well for storage when empty.
A few refill shops do stock vanilla extract as a refill. Alternatively, I would suggest picking up some that come in glass bottles as they are more easily recyclable. Littlepod is one of my favourites, as they champion real vanilla. You can make your own vanilla extract, but it does take months, so you need to be prepared. Perhaps have a rolling system so you always have some ready to use.
Ingredients you can buy Plastic Free
- Pitted Dates
- Oats
- Macadamia Nuts
- Dried Apricots
- Sesame Seeds
- Ground Almonds
- Vanilla Extract
- Desiccated Coconut
Ingredient you can Make
- Vanilla Extract – homemade recipe here
Equipment You Will Need
- Food Processor
- Scissors
- Chopping board
- Sharp Knife
- Measuring Spoons
- Baking Dish
- Bowl
Tips and Tricks when Making your Apricot and Macadamia Nut Energy Balls
Chopping your Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts provide a creaminess to these energy balls. However, if the pieces are too large they can be a bit too nutty for some people. As a result, I would recommend chopping them into at least quarters. You can always go smaller if you prefer.
Rolling your Apricot and Macadamia Nut Energy Balls in Desiccated Coconut
Now at times it can seem like the desiccated coconut doesn’t want to stick to the energy balls or not a lot it. If you want a lot to stick, try rolling your balls into shape with damp hands. Run cold water over your hands to making them damp, can help shape the balls. it also creates a damp surface for the desiccated coconut to stick to. This can help with more sticking on to them, and giving a good coating.
If you are not a fan of coconut, you can of course leave it off.
Apricot and Macadamia Nut Energy Balls
Equipment
- Food Processor
- Scissors
- Chopping board
- Sharp Knife
- Measuring Spoons
- Baking Dish
- Bowl
Ingredients
- 100 g Pitted Dates chopped
- 110 g Oats
- 50 g Macadamia Nuts chopped into quarters or smaller
- 50 g Dried Apricot chopped
- 1 Tablespoon Sesame Seeds
- 3 Tablespoon Ground Almonds
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 4 Tablespoon Water
- 20 g Desiccated Coconut optional
Instructions
- In a food processor, add in the chopped pitted dates and blitz for 30 seconds.
- Add in the oats, macadamia nuts, apricots, sesame seeds, ground almonds, and blitz together for 30-40 seconds.
- Add in the vanilla and water and blitz again to combine.
- Tip the contents of the food processor into a baking dish.
- Roll the mixture into 11 balls the size of golf balls.
- Roll the energy balls in desiccated coconut to coat.
- Pop the baking dish with the energy balls in into the fridge for an hour to firm up.
- Transfer into an airtight container and store in the fridge.
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