Matcha Pistachio Energy Balls

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These matcha pistachio energy balls have long been my favorite power-packed healthy snack. Plus, they’re super easy to make — just blend everything up, roll into balls, chill in the fridge, and they’re ready for snacking through the week.

Matcha pistachio energy balls.
Photo: Gayle McLeod

Why You’ll Love These Matcha Energy Balls

I remember making my first set of no-bake energy balls (aka my lemon ginger bliss balls) back in the day and immediately fell in love with them. I’ve made countless variations since, but here’s why this matcha tea version is my top pick:

  • A delicious way to enjoy the benefits of matcha. I’m a big fan of my morning matcha lattes, but these energy balls are a lovely matcha alternative when I’m craving a mid-day, bite-sized treat. 
  • They’re packed with nutrients and antioxidants. Besides matcha, they’re loaded with cashews, pistachios, dates, and coconut, providing a pretty hefty nutritional boost. All wholesome ingredients!
  • They’re refined sugar free. So many munchies and snacks are loaded with sugar, but these have no added sugar. Just one or two will satisfy your sweet cravings, in a healthy way.
Ingredients for matcha energy balls.

Matcha Energy Balls Ingredients

  • Raw Nuts: Raw cashews and shelled pistachios make up the base of these energy balls, plus extra pistachios for a crunchy outer coating.
  • Medjool Dates: These sticky dates act as a binder and provide natural sweetness.
  • Shredded Coconut: I typically use unsweetened shredded coconut.
  • Matcha Powder: Use your favorite matcha powder! I’ve linked the one I use most often in the recipe card below. 
  • Coconut Oil: Just a touch is needed to blend and bind the ingredients. 

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

Matcha balls in food processor.
Rolled up matcha energy balls on a plate.

How To Make Matcha Energy Balls

  • Blend. Place all the ingredients into a food processor and blend for one minute until they’re finely chopped and blended.
  • Make the balls. Scoop out balls of the mixture and roll them between your hands to form little balls. I always use this medium cookie scoop to ensure evenly sized balls.
  • Roll in pistachios. Roll each ball through the chopped pistachios and press them firmly into the ball.
  • Chill. Although you can eat these balls immediately, I recommend refrigerating them for about 15 minutes to let them firm up so they don’t crumble apart.

Substitutions and Changes

  • Make them sweeter by adding a bit of honey to the mix.
  • Swap the shredded coconut for a few more dates (and the coconut oil for avocado oil) if you’re not a fan of coconut.
  • Swap the cashews for a different nut that you love.
Matcha energy balls in a bowl.

Storage Tips

It’s best to store these energy balls in the fridge for about one week. Otherwise, store them in the freezer for up to 3 months! Just separate the balls with parchment or wax paper so they don’t stick together. When ready to enjoy, let them thaw in the fridge overnight.

More Healthy Snacks

I can’t wait for you to try these matcha energy balls! If you make them, I’d love to know how they turned out in the comment box below. Your review will help other readers in the community.

A white bowl of matcha energy balls.

Matcha Pistachio Energy Balls

4.95 from 20 votes
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Servings: 14 balls
Author: Lisa Bryan

Description

These matcha pistachio energy balls are my favorite power-packed healthy snack. Plus, they’re super easy to make and prep for the week!

Equipment

Ingredients 
 

Instructions 

  • Blend. Place the cashews, pistachios, Medjool dates, shredded coconut, matcha, and coconut oil in a food processor. Process for one minute, or until finely chopped and blended.
    Blended matcha energy balls in food processor.
  • Scoop and make balls. Using a medium cookie scoop, scoop out balls of the mixture. Roll between your hands to create evenly sized balls.
    Scooped up matcha energy balls.
  • Roll in pistachios. When all the balls have been rolled, roll them again through the chopped pistachios and press firmly into the balls.
    Rolling energy balls in pistachios.
  • Chill. Refrigerate for 15 minutes to firm up slightly, then enjoy!
    A bowl of matcha energy balls.

Lisa’s Tips

  • Store in the fridge: Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.
  • Store in the freezer: Separate layers of balls with parchment or wax paper so they don’t stick together. Then, store them in a sealed container in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, let them thaw in the fridge overnight.

Nutrition

Calories: 141kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 243mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 74IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Matcha Balls, Matcha Pistachio Bliss Balls, matcha pistachio energy balls
Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

Recipe originally published August 2015, but updated to include new photos and information for your benefit!

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About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

4.95 from 20 votes (1 rating without comment)

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81 Comments

  1. Wondering if I could substitue fresh figs for the dates? I have a very prolific fig tree and would like to use them up. Thanks!5 stars

    1. Hi Deborah – This might work better with dried figs as you need that sticky element to help the ingredients stick together.

  2. The calories you show for each recipe relates to the total recipe? For example, the matcha snack balls, 141kcal each ball? Thanks

  3. Always happy to get new recipes from you. This one I want to try as I travel often and make all my snacks, bc I am gluten intolerant. The last ingredient is 1/4 roughly chopped pistachios. Should it be 1/4 cup? Thanks.

  4. Never had Matcha before. These were easy to make & very tasty, but I knew they would be. Everything I have tried from this site has been delicious.5 stars

    1. Hi Donna – Thanks for leaving a review and happy to hear you’re loving these matcha energy balls!

  5. These were easier to make than I thought. I LOVE matcha and these were just perfect with the perfect amount of sweetness! Will be making these often!5 stars

  6. Made according to the recipe. I loved the matcha flavor with the sweetness of the dates. A good quick recipe for a sweet treat.5 stars

  7. I honestly haven’t made these but wanted to give a shout out to the referenced lemon ginger bliss balls which I searched around and found online. They were fantastic.

  8. Is there anything that could be substituted for the dates? I’m thinking about making these for my mom and I don’t think she’s a big fan of dates. Could dried cranberries work? Or they not sticky enough? Thank you in advance.

  9. Hi Lisa & Team

    With the nutritional value is this for the full batch of ingredients or each ball… just trying to watch my sugar intake
    Thanks Viv

    1. Hi Ellen – I have a post about matcha on my website! You can just search for “matcha” and it should come up :)

  10. Fabulous! I used cashew butter instead of raw cashews and added a tad of honey and a pinch of salt. Will be making these regularly! Thank you!5 stars

  11. I absolutely love this recipe! I’ve made it a second time already.

    The only thing I don’t understand is how I use the exact same measurements but only get 8 balls out of it. They’re about the same size as yours too.5 stars

    1. Lisa! You are amazing!! I have made enough of your recipes now that it is a given that anything you make will be wonderful! These matcha balls are bliss. Full dessert mode. They will become a staple for me. I also made the chocolate mint balls at the same time. Half in the freezer and half in the fridge for weeks of snack heaven! Thanks for sharing this recipe and your gift!5 stars

      1. Hi Leah – I’m so glad you love these matcha pistachio balls! They’re the perfect snack to keep on hand.

  12. I’ve made these several times and live them!
    I use melted coconut butter instead of oil and it gives them a. More mellow taste… thanks for sharing!5 stars

  13. Made the Matcha Bliss Balls last night. I had to add a little water to complete the mixing as I only have a small food processor.  What a pleasant surprise when I bit into one this morning….Delicious!                                         Can they be frozen?

    1. Glad you enjoyed these bliss balls! You can freeze them, but I would make sure to layer parchment paper in between so they don’t stick.

  14. I used coconut chips instead of shredded for an extra crunch, delicious, added a little extra coconut oil and honey and a touch of almond butter to get a good consistency, so tasty and just like my favorite raw protein bars but easy homemade treats instead!5 stars

  15. Hi Lisa,
    This recipe by strange coincidence had all the ingredients I needed to use up in the fridge and pantry. I’m sure I had grand plans for all of them 😀 but never would have thought to blend them together. These matcha balls are wonderful – great texture, just sweet enough, and not to mention very pretty with the chopped pistachio coating. Thanks again for another winner! 5 stars

  16. Hi Lisa, I love your recipes! My daughter is allergic to cashews. Do you think this recipe would work with another type of nut?

  17. These were so yummy! We shared with the neighbors and they gave it a thumbs up as well. Thanks for the recipe!5 stars

      1. I only have roasted cashews and pistachios…will that work or do they need to be raw? I accidently ordered more matcha than I needed online, so I want to find ways to use it up!

  18. easy and yummy. I did add a scoop of protein powder (which then required me to add 3 more dates so it would still roll into a ball.) Sort of tricky to get the chopped pistachio’s to stick. Thanks for the recipe.4 stars

  19. This is a fantastic recipe. I am usually disappointed with dry fruit balls as they are too heavy on my stomach and too sweet, but this recipe is simply fantastic. I added 3 t spoons of matcha instead of 2 and I love it. Very fast and super tasty. Thank you! Your kitchen looks very nice:)5 stars

    1. Glad you enjoyed this recipe Cara! I always make sure to keep a good balance between moisture and sweetness when it comes to bliss balls

  20. These were delicious and easy!  I put some coconut oil on my hands to make rolling the balls a little easier (super sticky dough).  Great flavor and not too sweet.  Thank you!5 stars

  21. Hey Lisa. I am definitely looking forward to these… I do have a question though… can these be frozen for meal prep? If so, how long would they last in the freezer? p.s. I absolutely love your videos and recipes… huge fan… Thank you!!5 stars

    1. I would say most of these recipes wouldn’t work for frozen meals – but they will last for about 5-7 days in the fridge! I will soon hope to make a freezer meal prep at some point :)

  22. Only my second time making something with matcha besides a drink and these came together in a flash and taste so good.  Perfect picnic fare!5 stars

    1. I’m happy you loved the recipe Hillary! And yes, they’re great for a picnic or any little travel snack. I always love to take them on plane flights with me. :)

  23. Hi Lisa

    Would Vitamix dry container work here instead of food processor? I tried my wet container and though i did end up with delicious matcha balls, i wonder if dry container would handle this better.

    1. Hi Saltanat – I think based on the stickiness of this recipe you could give it a try in a dry container.

    1. If you’re looking for something with similar health benefits to matcha powder, you might try moringa powder. If you do, let me know how it turns out! You could also leave the matcha out entirely, and just make these pistachio bliss balls. :)

  24. Hi Lisa – this looks great! Would I be able to sub the coconut oil for olive or avacado oil? Or anyhtign else?

    1. Hi Kelly – either of those would probably work, though I’d probably try the avocado oil as the flavor is more mild. Hope they turn out! :) x

  25. Hi Lisa. Can you tell me if culinary matcha has the same health qualities as better quality matcha? I like to drink it every morning. And if course it doesn’t taste as good as the ceremonial one (I had it in Japan) but I’m ok to drink it for health.

    1. Hi Shonali – if you’re drinking it straight, I’d opt for ceremonial grade for it’s more delicate flavor (and probably more similar to what you had in Japan). But if you’re mixing it in anything like smoothies, bliss balls or cooking with it, culinary grade is best. That’s when you actually need to the stronger flavor profile. As for health qualities, I’ve read that ceremonial is slightly more nutritionally-dense, but both are still great options. :) x

      1. dear lisa. thank you so much for replying. it’s a great relief to hear that i don’t have to bust the bank to drink my matcha! i actually drink it straight with hot water first thing in the morning and while the culinary grade is tasteless, it is not at all unpleasant. and at 5 dollars (from the japan market in west LA) – i’ll stick with it since you say it’s only slightly less nutritional.
        i’m glad my matcha quest led me to your awesome website and i have signed up to it.
        thank you for putting out helpful health information.
        love and light
        shonali