Almond joy energy bites – perfect bite sized healthy snacks to beat that chocolate craving! Vegan & gluten-free sweet treats ready in less than 10 minutes.
I’ve been hearing a lot about dates recently.
Not the dinner and a movie kind. The fruit kind.
I was a little skeptical about adding dates to my dessert, but I did it anyway.
These pictures are from the first time I made them, and you can see that there are still little chunks of almond and dates that are not completely mixed.
Sure, it adds a certain grunge vibe. Am I using that word right? Like not totally put together? Because they’re not.
Because what really happened is that the dates I added almost broke my food processor. If there is one thing you remember from this post, PLEASE let it be to remove ALL pits from dates before doing anything with them.
Remove pits from dates. And double check that they are in fact, missing the pits.
So that you don’t break your food processor.
And end up with grungy energy bites.
Besides that tiny setback, these little things are pretty darn delicious.
Remaking them may end in a prettier, more “put-together” appearance, but it has no impact on their taste. And wouldn’t you know – they are also vegan and gluten-free!
Just for the record, given a choice between Almond Joy and Mounds, I would always pick a Mounds bar.
As a kid I remember picking out that big almond right in the middle of an Almond Joy and throwing it away. As a “grown-up” I have developed a certain appreciation for almonds, and they are kind of important here to hold everything together.
If you don’t kill your food processor before finishing, the almonds will eventually make a sort of almond butter that will make it stick.
I’ve been wanting to hop on the energy bites (also known as “protein balls”) bandwagon for a while now, and I have a feeling I’ll be making more versions of these in the future. Just please, someone remind me about the pits!
If you’re looking for another protein ball / energy bite recipe, check out this carrot cake bites recipe!
Almond Joy Energy Bites (no-bake)
Almond joy energy bites - perfect bite sized healthy snacks to beat that chocolate craving! Vegan, gluten-free, no-bake raw dessert treats.
Ingredients
- 2 cups medjool dates (mine were the "fancy" variety), pits removed
- 2 cups almonds
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (or cacao powder)
- 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut (plus extra for topping if desired)
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Make sure the pits have been removed from the dates!
- Add all ingredients into food processor. Blend for 2-3 minutes until combined and the mixture forms a dough-like consistency.
- Form dough into balls and roll in extra coconut flakes if desired.
- Serve immediately or put in fridge. Can store in refrigerator in an air-tight container for up to a week.
Notes
For an extra almond flavor, you can add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract.
*Recipe adapted from Gimme Some Oven
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
35Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 97Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 43mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 2gSugar: 9gProtein: 2g
Nutrition information is calculated automatically by an online tool at Nutritionix. It is not always accurate. Please use your own tools to check if you rely on this information.
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
You'll also get email updates with new recipes (you can opt-out any time).
Julie
Sunday 29th of July 2018
I don't think you can say there is no added sugar when the recipe calls for sweetened coconut.
Kelly
Monday 30th of July 2018
That's fair - I didn't realize the mistake! I've taken that out.
Emily
Thursday 3rd of May 2018
What is the size of your food processor? I can’t imagine all of this fitting in mine. Perhaps I’ll try to blend with my immersion blender. Also, Have you tried substituting non-sweetened coconut?
Kelly
Thursday 3rd of May 2018
You could always cut the recipe in half or process the ingredients in batches if you have a small (less than 5 cup) processor. I don't think an immersion blender would work with dates. I've not tried with unsweetened coconut but the dates may provide enough sweetness for this to work!
Tracy
Monday 9th of April 2018
I’ve now made the carrot and almond joy versions. I personally love the almond joy ones better, but that’s just me. Everyone in my family loves these and I love the clean ingredients. Only thing I changed was adding some protein powder and slightly more coconut oil. Thank you!
Kelly
Tuesday 10th of April 2018
Great idea to add protein powder - and yes, that makes sense you'd need more oil if you added another dry ingredient! I'm a fan of the chocolate ones too :)
Crista
Tuesday 23rd of June 2015
for the record, i think your photos look great, i would have never known them to flawed had you not pointed it out :) also, amazing recipe!! found your blog via Kathy Patalsky :)
Kelly
Tuesday 7th of July 2015
Thanks so much Crista! We're always harder on ourselves, aren't we :)
ami@naivecookcooks
Wednesday 8th of October 2014
Such delicious looking bites!