Confession . . . I have become addicted to energy bites!
Have you tried them yet?
During this quarantine, my family has been experimenting with making more energy bites than you can imagine.
We’ve tried so many even my little guy developed his own recipe! We called it Sam’s Special. It’s simple and it’s delicious! (Don’t worry we share his recipe, and yes, he gave permission!)
Energy bites, also known as date balls or protein bites, are so simple and delicious that it amazes me more people are not making them on a daily basis.
A few years back while following an elimination diet, a date ball was one of the limited permitted snacks. My diet was very restricted as I was trying to get to the bottom of my gut issues. I was so ecstatic to have a sweet and tasty treat at that time!
Since then, these little energy bites have been a staple in our home.
New healthy snack
Date Balls are a healthy bite to enjoy when you need a snack. They are an easy, delicious, versatile recipe you can change up in multiple ways by adding in different ingredients or leaving them plain and simple.
They make it easy to swap out ingredients and add in what you have on hand. No oats? Use coconut flour. No dates? Use raisins. No chocolate chips? Use nuts or another dried fruit. Have fun with it!
Don’t want to turn on your oven in the summer? No problem, these are all NO bake bites.
They are the perfect snack to take along when you are out and about!
Inviting these little energy bites into your home will change your snacking habits.
You seriously are fulfilled – after just ONE energy bite. They are so satisfying you will forever forget about devouring a big chunk of brownie or a bag of chips . . . really!
And . . . cutting out the processed sugar in your snacks will decrease the inflammation in your body – which in turn creates a healthier YOU.
Yes, dates are sugar. Yet, they are a natural sugar filled with fiber and nutrients your body needs. All good!
Which one will become your new
favorite snack?
Before you jump to our recipes, make sure you don’t miss our last energy bite treats:
Pumpkin Bites with Chocolate, Pumpkin Oat Balls and Carrot Cake Date Balls
The following are two recipes that are definitely share-worthy:
Chocolate Cherry Bombs
Who doesn’t love chocolate and cherries together?
Think: a brownie burst of flavor inside your mouth with the tart slice of cherry on top . . . delish! These healthy bites are GOOD for you, containing healthy, whole-food ingredients. You’ll never miss that plate of sugar-filled, chocolatey brownies again.
Blending up your bites is super easy- all you need is a high-power blender or food processor. Once blended, just roll the mixture into bite-sized balls (about one tablespoon each) then place in the fridge to set for about 30 minutes. Then enjoy!
Chocolate Cherry Bombs
Ingredients
- 1 cup dates
- ½ cup cocoa
- ¼ cup dried cherries (organic, no sugar added)
- ½ t. cinnamon
- ¼ cup gluten-free oats (more as needed)
- ½ cup shredded dried coconut
- ¼ cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 t. pure maple syrup (optional)
- 2-3 T water as needed
Instructions
- Soak the dates in hot water for 5 minutes. Drain and add to a food processor.
- Add the rest of the ingredients to the food processor, except the cherries and chocolate chips.
- Blend until almost combined. If dry, add a couple of tablespoons of water. If too wet, add a couple of tablespoons of oats. (This typically depends on how mushy your dates were to start.)
- Add in the cherries and blend until the mixture comes together. Scrape down the sides between blending to incorporate all of the ingredients.
- Last, add in the chocolate chips. Pulse the blender to push the chips into the dough, but not to chop them up.
- Roll dough into bite sized balls, about a tablespoon each. Place in the refrigerator to set for about 30 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Sam’s Special
This tasty little treat was developed by my son Sam. This may very well be your new favorite snack.
Simple and easy- all you need are gluten-free oats, dates, ginger, and chocolate chips – because everything is better with chocolate.
Check out his recipe to make your own at home – you will be glad you did!
For Sam’s Special you’ll need:
1 cup of dates, soaked in hot water
½ cup of gluten-free oats
¼ t. of ginger
¼ cup of chocolate chips
Water as needed
- Soak the dates in hot water for 5 minutes. Drain and add to a food processor.
- Add in the oats and ginger. Blend to combine the ingredients.
- Add water by the tablespoon if too dry. If too wet, add more oats.
- Pulse until all combined, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Roll mixture into balls, about a tablespoon in size. Place in refrigerator to set for about 30 minutes. Enjoy!
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