Pregnancy energy balls are the perfect, quick, and healthy high-protein snack for the voracious appetite of the pregnant and postpartum mama. These balls contain only 6 ingredients, are gluten and dairy free, but best of all, are laden with peanut butter and chocolate. Blissful and delicious!

But wait. It gets better - they're actually helpful to prepare for labor and can help increase breastmilk production!

On This Page

5 minute read
↓Perfect for the Freezer
↓Made with Coconut Oil
↓Gluten and Dairy Free
↓Dates for an Easier Labor
↓Pregnancy Energy Balls Printable Recipe

Why I Love These Energy Balls for Pregnancy and Postpartum

Perfect for the Freezer

Towards the end of each pregnancy I always, always cook up a bunch of food and freeze it. You know, to prepare for the baby apocalypse. (If you're curious, here's are some more of my favorite foods to freeze for postpartum. I really like this broccoli chicken and rice casserole!)

One of my favorite things to make ahead and freeze are these energy balls. I love to eat them frozen because 1) they are just even more ridiculously delicious when frozen and 2) if you make a big batch, freezing will allow them to keep longer (although these never last very long in our home).

Made with Coconut Oil

Another reason I love this bite-sized snack is because they are made with coconut oil, which is one of my favorite healthy fats for new moms. Not only does coconut oil make food taste good, help grow a healthy mama and baby, but coconut oil also makes breastmilk better. Neat, right?

Gluten and Dairy Free

Another reason these energy balls are rockin' is because they are free of gluten and dairy. Not that anything is WRONG with these things, but it's nice to give my body a break from G&D because they're in EVERYTHING. A little diversity does a body good, you know?

If you're looking for more GF/DF recipes, here are some of my favorites:

• Coconut Oil Chocolates
• Apple Cider Vinegar Salad Dressing
• Plantain Pancakes
• Coconut Curry Butternut Squash Soup
• Banana Egg Pancakes
• Protein Punch Pregnancy Smoothie
• The Best Lactation Cookies

Dates for an Easier Labor

Honestly, I thought the internet was just making stuff up when I read that eating dates during the last month of pregnancy could make for an easier labor. Well, apparently this is actually a thing. According to studies like this one, eating date fruit can help women have labors with less interventions like inductions and/or pitocin augmentation. Sign me up! What could it hurt?! It's a win-win.

Flaxseed and Oatmeal to Increase Milk Supply

These energy bites also contain flaxseed and oatmeal, which can increase milk supply in breastfeeding women. How cool is that?! Anecdotally, I have seen a dramatic increase in milk supply with one of my friends when she added oatmeal to her diet. She was breastfeeding her newborn baby, but also pumping to donate to a baby in need. When she started eating oatmeal her output increased by quite a few ounces daily! So crazy.

Pregnancy Energy Balls Printable Recipe

Are you ready for the recipe? Let's get started.

Easy, No-Bake Pregnancy Energy Balls - Only 6 Ingredients!

Yield: 12 energy bites

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Additional Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Energy balls are the perfect quick and healthy snack for the hungry pregnant and postpartum mama. This high protein snack is made with only 6 ingredients, gluten and dairy free, but best of all, are laden with peanut butter and cocoa.  Delicious!

4.6 Stars (21 Reviews)

Print

Ingredients

• 7 medjool dates, pits removed (roughly ¾ cup)
• 2 tablespoon water + 1 tablespoon water if your dates are on the dry side
• 1 cup gluten-free certified oats
• ½ cup creamy peanut butter
• 3 tbsp flaxseed meal
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

Instructions

1. Add dates and water into the food processor.
2. Process on high for 2-3 minutes, until dates start to form a paste. If your dates are a bit older and dry (whitish skin and feel a little leathery), you may need to add another tablespoon of water to help them blend.
3. Then, add the gluten-free oats, peanut butter, flaxseed meal, cocoa powder, and coconut oil to the food processor.
4. Pulse until a dough forms.
5. Take a rounded tablespoon of dough at a time, and roll with your hands into a ball.
6. Enjoy right then and there or freeze for a delightful treat later.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Terrasoul Superfoods Organic Medjool Dates, 2 Lbs - Soft Chewy Texture | Sweet Caramel Flavor | Farm Fresh
• 
  Rolled Oats
• 
  Crazy Richard’s Creamy Peanut Butter, 100% Natural, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, 16 Ounce Jars (Pack of 6)
• 
  Spectrum Essentials Organic Ground Flaxseed, 24 oz
• 
  Viva Naturals Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, 16 Ounce

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 152Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 52mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 3gSugar: 10gProtein: 4g