Made in a food processor with dates, peanut butter, and cocoa powder, these energy bites are a great option when you need a boost of energy or an easy sweet treat!
If you need a pick me up between meals or a quick boost before a workout, energy bites are a great option! This flavor combines cocoa powder and peanut butter because it's my favorite sweet flavor pairing (ahem, Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies and Peanut Butter Brookies.)
With an optional cocoa powder-powdered sugar coating, these bites were designed to be somewhere between a snack and a healthy dessert. If you're just looking for a snack, skip the cocoa powder coating.
Look familiar? Find this recipe on page 129 of my cookbook, Vegetarian for Dinner.
Ingredients and variations
- Medjool dates: I buy pitted Medjool dates in bulk from Costco. If you don't buy pitted dates, make sure to slice each date in half and remove the pit!
- Rolled oats: Also called old-fashioned oats. I'm sure instant oats would work if that's all you have on hand.
- Peanut butter: I use natural creamy peanut butter, but any variety of nut butter (natural or not) should work well here. I'm sure this would be great with almond butter, sunflower seed butter, cashew butter, etc.
- Hemp hearts: This is another bulk Costco purchase for me. Hemp hearts provide omega-3s and minerals like magnesium and zinc. Feel free to use nuts or other seeds in place of the hemp hearts. If using something like almonds or pecans, blitz them in the food processor first to break down into tiny pieces.
- Cocoa powder: Adds chocolate flavor! For an extra chocolate-y date bite, stir in mini chocolate chips.
- Powdered sugar: This is totally optional. Rolling the date bites in a mix of powdered sugar and cocoa powder turns these into more of a sweet dessert/treat.
- Milk: This recipe was originally written for oat milk. Soy milk is my go-to these days, but any variety of milk works.
Step by step instructions
Add the dates and oats to a food processor with a standard blade attachment. Process until the dates are very broken down and the oats are a sandy texture.
Add in the peanut butter, hemp hearts, 2 tablespoons of the cocoa powder, and 2 tablespoons of the milk. Process until a ball forms around the blade. If the batter is still crumbly or not holding when pressed together together, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of milk.
Roll the batter into 12 balls, about the size of a ping pong ball. Enjoy immediately or enjoy chilled. For extra chocolate and sweetness, roll the energy bites in a mix of cocoa powder and powdered sugar.
Storage notes
These energy bites keep well in the fridge for up to 5 days. They also freeze well. Let them thaw overnight in the fridge or on the countertop.
Recipe
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup (10 to 12 dates) pitted Medjool dates, sliced in half sliced in half
- 1 cup rolled oats
- ¼ cup hemp hearts
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
- 4 tablespoons cocoa powder divided
- 3 tablespoons oat milk or milk of choice
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Instructions
- To a food processor with a standard blade attachment, add the sliced dates and oats. Pulse until the dates are mostly broken down and the oats are a sandy texture.
- Add the hemp hearts, peanut butter, and 2 tablespoons of the cocoa powder. Process just a few seconds to combine the ingredients. Add 2 tablespoons milk and process until the “batter” holds together. Add the remaining tablespoon of milk as needed.
- Roll the batter into 12 balls, about the size of a ping pong ball. In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder and the powdered sugar. Roll each ball in the powder, tossing to coat. This step is optional but adds an extra touch of sweetness and extra chocolate.
- Enjoy immediately or refrigerate to chill. These also freeze well.
Notes
Mr. Wilson of the Moment
This moment features Mr. Wilson listening to whatever movie is on the TV. I just love this time of year because Mr. Wilson goes from a "most the time" lap cat to an "all the time" lap cat. Bring on the chilly temps!
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