How to Make Healthy Chocolate Coconut Energy Bites
These energy bites are naturally sweetened with dates. They’re chewy, sweet, and satisfying! You need to make these for your next grab-and-go snack!
I love having a healthy snack on hand for an afternoon pick-me-up, a pre-workout boost of energy, or even for a quick breakfast! These Chocolate Coconut Energy Bites hit all the key points. They’re chocolatey, naturally sweetened, easy to make, and nut and grain-free! For someone with a nut allergy like myself, it’s hard to find recipes for energy bites that don’t involve walnuts or almonds. So, I decided to make my own! Whether you have allergies or not, I think you’ll really enjoy this healthy snack!
Ingredients in Energy Bites
- Pitted Dates: Medjool or Deglet Noor dates will work perfect for this recipe. Just make sure you buy the pitted kind or you will create extra work for yourself!
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: The cocoa powder is bitter on its own, but when it combines with the sweet dates, a delightful chocolatey flavor comes out!
- Flaxseed: Make sure the flaxseed is ground. This is for a couple reasons: First, the ground flax helps the balls bind together. Second, the nutrients from the flaxseeds will absorb into your body much easier than if they are whole.
- If you have whole flaxseeds at home, simply throw them in a blender or food processor and pulse until ground!
- Unsweetened Shredded Coconut: You can use sweetened if you like, but I think the natural sweetness of the coconut is perfect without all the added sugar!
- Vanilla Extract: This just adds a touch of flavor!
- Sea Salt: I add sea salt to just about any sweet snack or dessert. It actually brings out the sweetness and adds a depth of flavor!
Health Benefits of Dates
You may not realize this, but despite their deliciously sweet and satisfying flavor, dates are also full of vitamins and nutrients. First, dates contain a significant source of fiber, which is great for digestion and managing blood sugar. Next, they are high in anti-oxidants, which can help protect your body from disease. Lastly, they are just an excellent source of natural sweetness! I love using dates in place of refined sugar. They’re also delicious on their own for an after-dinner snack! To read more about the health benefits of dates, click here.
How to Make Healthy Energy Bites
This recipe really could not be any easier. Before throwing everything in a blender or food processor, the first step is to soften the dates. I do this simply by measuring out the dates, covering them completely with very hot water, and letting them sit for 5 minutes or so until they’ve softened. Once they’re softened, drain the water and toss them in your blender along with all remaining ingredients. Now, just pulse until the mixture is well combined, shape into balls, and enjoy!
This recipe makes about 12 tablespoon-sized bites, but the recipe can easily be doubled or tripled if you want to make more! Enjoy!
Healthy Chocolate Coconut Energy Bites
Equipment
- Blender or food processor
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cup pitted dates
- 3 tbsp. cocoa powder, unsweetened
- 2 tbsp. ground flaxseed
- ½ cup shredded coconut, unsweetened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch sea salt
Instructions
Soften the dates
- Measure out the dates, then cover completely with hot water. Let sit for 5 minutes to hydrate and soften the dates. Drain the water before continuing to next step.
Blend ingredients
- Add softened dates and all remaining ingredients to blender or food processor. Pulse until mixture is well combined.
- Roll into tablespoon sized balls. Roll bites in additional cocoa powder to coat the outside if desired and enjoy! Store in the fridge or freezer.
Notes
- Bites will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.