Macadamia and Davidson's Plum Energy Balls

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

No-bake energy balls blending crunchy macadamia nuts with tangy Davidson's plum powder for a nutrient-packed Australian snack. This australian-inspired snacks ready in about 15 minutes turns macadamia nuts, rolled oats, large dates, pitted into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 8, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Serves 8 Australian cuisine 150 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a food processor, pulse 1 cup macadamia nuts and 1/2 cup rolled oats until finely chopped but not powdered, about 10 pulses.
  2. Step 2: Add 10 pitted dates, 2 tbsp Davidson's plum powder, 1/4 cup desiccated coconut, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1/4 tsp sea salt to the processor.
  3. Step 3: Process the mixture for 1-2 minutes until it clumps together and holds shape when pressed between fingers.
  4. Step 4: Using your hands, roll the mixture into 16 equal-sized balls about 1 inch in diameter. If too sticky, refrigerate mixture for 10 minutes before rolling.
  5. Step 5: Place the energy balls on a lined tray and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up before serving as a tangy, nutty snack.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Macadamia and Davidson's Plum Energy Balls take to make?

Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Macadamia and Davidson's Plum Energy Balls?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Macadamia and Davidson's Plum Energy Balls?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Macadamia and Davidson's Plum Energy Balls for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Macadamia and Davidson's Plum Energy Balls?

Australian snacks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.