Almond Butter Espresso Balls are packed with oats, almonds, coffee and vanilla! The perfect snack for a little pick me up!
I grew up in a really small, rural town. Growing up the way I did had a lot of advantages, you actually knew the people who lived in the same community as you, I think as kids we probably had a bit more freedom because there wasn’t just a ton of stuff to get us in trouble. It was nice. It was a nice way to grow up.
But, there were disadvantages. We didn’t have malls or places to shop. If you wanted to just hang out your options were a super smoky bowling alley, the movies with the mean ticket taker, or the Wal-Mart parking lot. But most importantly, there is no place to go for coffee.
This is probably a big reason why my love of coffee didn’t start until later in life. I just wasn’t exposed to it. My Mom never ran through the drive through at a coffee shop to grab a Frappuccino because we didn’t have them. But now that I live in a much bigger place I do have access to all of the delicious coffee shops and my addiction is in full swing!
How did this recipe come about?
I make lots of snacks, you can see tons of granola, snack mixes, bars, and peanut butter creations on this blog. But this one is totally different. It was inspired by Barney’s Espresso and Almond Butter. Have you ever seen it? I hadn’t until a few weeks ago when I came across it at World Market. We eat loads of peanut butter, but I like almond butter too and the idea of almond butter with espresso?
I couldn’t really imagine it, but I was intrigued.
In a word, these are… AMAZING. They actually get better as they sit. That probably has something to do with the fact that for the espresso flavor I just dumped some coffee grounds in the mix. Yes, just unbrewed coffee, right in there.
To be honest, I was slightly terrified when I did this because I knew it would either be fantastic, or I was completely ruining a big bowl of expensive almond butter. Luckily, it worked like a charm!
These little delights are packed with creamy almond butter, sliced almond, oats, honey, and coffee. Then rolled into perfect little balls, and dipped in white chocolate and sprinkled with coffee for good measure. They are the perfect little pick me up!
Ingredients for Almond Butter Espresso Balls:
Here’s a quick overview of the ingredients you’ll need. Keep scrolling for exact measurements!
- Creamy, no-stir almond butter (I used Barney’s Butter)
- Gluten free old fashioned oats
- Honey
- Sliced almonds
- Vanilla
- Unbrewed coffee grounds (I used French roast)
- White chocolate (bar or chips… Will be melted for dipping)
How should I store Almond Butter Balls?
These delicious bites should be stored in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to two week or in the freezer for three months. They keep their shape best when still cool, so these are perfect for pulling from the freezer and putting into your lunchbox for a mid-morning pick-me-up!
More Coffee-Flavored Treats and Snacks:
Are you like me and can’t have enough? Try out these recipes to infuse your day with more coffee!
- Dark Chocolate Espresso Bread
- Mocha Chia Pudding
- Blended Coconut Mocha Frappuccino
- Almond Butter Espresso Bars
- Keto Mocha Frappuccino
- Keto Mocha Cheesecake Brownies
- Coconut Mocha Almond Butter Espresso Balls
- Keto Hot Cocoa with Espresso Whipped Cream
Almond Butter Espresso Balls
These delicious bites are super easy and require no baking! You're only seven ingredients and about 40 minutes away from a tasty, energizing treat!
Ingredients
- 1 cup creamy almond butter (Barney's Butter, see note below)
- 1 cup gluten free old fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 tablespoon unbewed coffee grounds (I used French roast)
- 1 (4 ounce) package white chocolate for melting
Instructions
- In a mixer, combine the almond butter, oats, honey, almonds, vanilla and coffee grounds and mix until well combined. Mixture will be very thick.
- Place the bowl in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Roll the mixture into balls, about the size of a tablespoon, maybe a bit smaller.
- Melt white chocolate according to package directions and dip or roll in chocolate.
- Sprinkle with additional coffee grounds if desired.
Notes
Mixture will be very thick and is easiest to roll/dip after being chilled at least 30 minutes.
For best results I highly recommend using Barney's Smooth Almond Butter or a similar "no stir" almond butter.Â
*I have also made this recipe with 3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips instead of dipping them in white chocolate. Simply stir in the chocolate chips after the mixture is combined.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 20 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 155Total Fat: 9.4gCholesterol: 0.9mgSodium: 5.1mgCarbohydrates: 15.1gNet Carbohydrates: 13.1gFiber: 2gSugar: 10.2gProtein: 3.9g
More Sweet Treats
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
These sound amazing! See you didn’t need any coffee shop to offer these to you…you just had to come up with them on your own!! Great idea.
Maebells says
Thanks Kathy!! They sure are tasty!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
My coffee addiction didn’t start until I was older too, mainly because my parents’ never drank it and it wasn’t like it is now, with a coffee shop on every corner! These balls looks delicious! Definitely something that would feed my addiction!
Maebells says
We were missing out weren’t we!! 🙂
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
Haha, we didn’t have too many drive thru Starbuck’s in my town either! Not even a traffic light. Lol. Love these little balls! Perfect for a post-workout snack!
Maebells says
Definitely! They are so good, I had to tell my husband to slow down because he ate 8 in one day!
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
My love for coffee started young! Haha both of my parents loved it and there were coffee shops/cafes/bakeries with coffee bars everywhere. Needless to say these look incredible!! How perfect for an afternoon snack at work to give me a little oomph to make it through the day!
Maebells says
Oh yeah, these are the only way I have made it through the week!
Ami@NaiveCookCooks says
Girl these look so sinfully delicious. My coffee addiction started way too late too, college actually and I was like I was missing out! So now I drink extra so I can make up for all those lost years hehe!! 😉
Maebells says
Haha! That sounds like a plan to me!
Kacey+@+The+Cookie+Writer says
As a Canadian, I feel we always had a coffee shop in every town, even when we used to go to our cottage or trailer. Now my husband and I are snobs and only make freshly ground coffee at home. That being said, I know we will love these!
Maebells says
Oh you will! I was really nervous to pour regular old coffee grounds in here, but it works so well!
Beth says
I need to try that espresso and almond butter, yum!!!
Maebells says
Thanks Beth!
grandbabycakes says
The flavors of this are fantastic!!! I love the espresso!
Maebells says
Thank you! Me too!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
Oh my word…little coffee balls! Swooning over here.
Maebells says
Thanks Dorothy!
Sara @ Bitz & Giggles says
I grew up in a small town, too. We didn’t even have a stoplight. 🙂 Now that I have access to more, I surely do appreciate it, but I still love my little hometown. I’m not a big coffee drinker, but I don’t think you’d have to twist my arm to try these little beauties. They look delicious!
Maebells says
Thank you Sara!! 🙂
Kate @ Diethood says
I would LOVE to snack on these all day long! I’m a coffee fiend so these bites are like my BFFs! 😀
Maebells says
They are addictive!! 🙂
Nora @ Savory Nothings says
I grew up in a city but we didn’t have Starbucks for a loooong time and when we finally did I never had enough pocket money anyways, haha! But now I’m a total coffee addict and I cannot even imagine getting started into my day without it! Also, I LIVE for almond butter! So these cuties look just about perfect to me 🙂
Maebells says
Thanks Nora! They are the perfect snack!
Stacey+@+Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
Those look amazing Annie! So creative, I never would have combined almond butter and coffee!
Maebells says
Thanks Stacy! I think you would love these!
Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says
I have always wondered what it would be like to live in a small town, just to get away from all the traffic and craziness of Orange County. I think we have a Starbucks on just about ever corner!
These expresso balls look amazing, I especially love the white chocolate topping!
Maebells says
Oh yes, my home town is a far cry from Orange County! 🙂 The only traffic you will see is if a tractor is in front of you!
Amy @ A Healthy Life For Me says
I have the ol’ coffee addiction too, and these amazing little balls of goodness would go wonderful with my morning joe! Totally pinning now!
Maebells says
Thanks Amy! I know you will love them!
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector) says
I love this idea! They sound amazing!
Maebells says
Thanks Jaren!
Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen says
Fortunately (or unfortunately), there were plenty of Starbucks around when I hit the coffee-drinking age. I’m still completely addicted today! These little bites look like my perfect snack. How can you go wrong with almond butter and coffee? 😉
Maebells says
Thank you! And I agree, it is a match made in heaven!
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
Love these little bites! The almond butter, espresso and white chocolate combo sounds amazing!
Maebells says
Thanks Kelly!
Natalie+@+Tastes+Lovely says
Sounds like such a quaint way to grow up. We grew up in a medium size town, and we still live here. It seems like every time I go the grocery store I see someone I know. I actually love it! Makes me feel connected to my area. These almost butter espresso balls sound amazing! Can’t wait to make them!
Maebells says
Isn’t that a nice feeling? I love it! I don’t know anyone where we live now and I really miss that community feeling!
Kathy+@+Olives+&+Garlic says
Can I pay you to overnight me some 🙂 Yum
Cathy@LemonTreeDwelling says
I’m a coffee lover and I especially love when it finds its way into my desserts!!!
Danielle says
I grew up in a small town too and we never ate out, just because there was hardly anything close to us! I love making little snacks like these to enjoy throughout the week. These sound incredible!
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says
Annie – I love the idea of this almond butter balls. I’m going to a wedding shower this weekend and the bride-to-be cannot eat dairy or gluten. These would be the perfect treat for her. 😀
Meg @ Noming thru Life says
Can these be delivered? Promise I will pay for the cost 😉
I cannot get enough of these and am just too excited to stuff my face with every last one of them!
Amanda says
These treats are rockin’ my world! YUM!!!
EricaSta says
First time here via Pinterest…. This sounds delicious and I will, I must try this recipe. Thank you for posting it.
Cheers
Michele @ Two Raspberries says
these sound incredible! pinned these for sure! I need to try these they would be a perfect pick me up snack! 😉
Maebells says
Yes for sure!
Katelyn says
How many balls does this recipe make! It looks super yummy!
Maebells says
Hi Katelyn! It really depends on how big you make them, I make them maybe a smidge smaller than golf balls so they can be eaten in two bites and I get roughly 2 dozen! 🙂 I hope that helps! These are so addictive! I think you will love them!
Debra Hanenburg says
Any alternative for the oats to make these keto?
Annie Holmes says
Hi Debra, unsweetened coconut flakes are a good low-carb sub for oats.