Photo by Michael Piazza / Styled by Catrine Kelty

What looks like a Dunkin’ Munchkin, tastes really good and is far healthier and perfect for an energy boost? An energy ball, of course! Lemon coconut energy balls are easy to make, require no baking and are fun to eat and delicious to boot. My daughter especially likes making this recipe because it means she can sit up on the counter and help me combine all the ingredients into a food processor. The shaping of the batter is basically a Play-Doh opportunity. And at the end we get to lick our fingers. (Adapted from the food blog Natalie’s Health.)

Makes 12–16 bite-sized balls

1 cup cashews
½ cup shredded coconut, plus more for rolling if desired
2 tablespoons flax seeds
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend for a couple of minutes. Check for consistency to ensure batter is sticky enough to retain its shape and add water if it is too dry or more shredded coconut if it is too wet. Recruit little hands to help roll the batter into bite-sized balls between the palms of one’s hands. For added appeal and pizzazz, roll the finished product in extra shredded coconut if you like and store in the refrigerator to harden.

They will last up to 7 days refrigerated or 3–5 months in the freezer.

This recipe appeared in the Summer 2023 issue as part of a larger story, Summer Adventure to Fuel the Whole Family.