Trail Mix Date Energy Bites are the perfect bite-size no bake snack that’s nutrient dense and healthy.
Ever since my friend Jule introduced me to date energy balls, my life has changed. A few months ago I made strawberry almond energy balls with dates, and it’s my most popular recipe to date (no pun intended?)!
Who can say no to the sweet, plant based wonder that is the medjool date? Well, obviously I can’t, because I’m back with a new energy ball/bite/whatever-you-call-it recipe:
Trail Mix Date Energy Bites!
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This recipe couldn’t come at a better time. It’s hot outside, and here in the great Northwest we don’t have AC- or at least, most of us don’t. I’m hot! I love my oven, but using it makes me melt. I’ve resorted to cold meals like fresh black bean salad or coconut blueberry overnight oats.
It’s truly no bake season, and I’m out here taking full advantage of it.
These little trail mix date energy bites may be small, but they are mighty. They’re packed to the gills with energy dense nuts and seeds, and they’re a pretty healthy snack or dessert.
What are trail mix date energy bites made with?
The best part is that these energy balls are fully customizable, just like regular trail mix! Here’s what I put inside of my energy bites (other than dates!):
- Sliced almonds
- Pumpkin seeds
- Shredded toasted coconut
- Rolled oats
- Sunflower seeds
- Chia seeds
- A dash of cinnamon
How to make trail mix date energy bites
- To make the energy bites, combine 1/4 cup of each trail mix add-in into a bowl. You use 3/4 to 1 cup of this mixture in the recipe, so you’ll likely have a bit left over. This combination of nuts and seeds goes really well on a slice of peanut butter toast, or in a savory oatmeal bowl.
- Blend the dates in a food processor until they form into a ball. Tip: if you soak your dates in warm water for about 15 minutes, they’ll be much easier to break down!
- Add half of the dry oatmeal and all of the soy milk (or other preferred milk) to the date ball. Process this until it’s all combined.
- Remove the large date-oatmeal-soy milk ball from the food processor. Mix in the remaining oatmeal and 1 cup of the trail mix mixture. You may need to use your hands to get it really combined (that’s the fun part!!).
- Once everything is combined, use your hands to roll up 16 ping pong sized energy balls.
Every great trail mix, and thus every great no bake trail mix date energy ball, is fully customizable. Some other great add-ins are:
- Chopped dried fruit, like raisins, cranberries, or cherries
- Mini chocolate chips
- Cashews or peanuts
- A glob of peanut butter (if you’re doing this you may need to increase the dry ingredients quantity a bit)
Looking for more recipes?
- Blueberry Lemon Energy Balls
- Strawberry Almond Energy Balls
- Coconut Blueberry Overnight Oats
- Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal
- Mocha Overnight Oats
Trail Mix Date Energy Bites
Ingredients
For the “Trail Mix”
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup toasted shredded coconut
For the Trail Mix Date Energy Balls
- 1 and 1/2 cups pitted medjool dates
- 1 cup rolled oats, divided in half
- 1 cup trail mix mixture
- 2 tablespoons milk of choice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare trail mix by mixing together equal parts of desired ingredients.
- Puree the dates in a food processor until they form into a ball. Add 1/2 cup of the rolled oats and the soy milk and puree until the oats are mostly broken down (see photo in post for reference).
- Using a wooden spoon (or your hands) mix in 1 cup of trail mix mixture and the remaining rolled oats. Using your hands, roll into about 16 ping pong balls.
- Keeps best refrigerated. Enjoy within several days of making, or keep in the freezer for up to three months.
Hannah M
Do you think these would still work without the oats?
Cassidy Reeser, RDN, LD
I think it should work but it will definitely be a little stickier. You could also try replacing oats with almond flour.