I often think of blog posts when I’m lying in bed trying to fall asleep. Sometimes my mind is just so clear late at night. Plus, I’ve learned you have to embrace creativity when it’s here and ride it out when it’s not. Some days it strikes at 1:30pm and others it’s 1:30am.
Tonight, the clock reads 11:58pm and ideas are flooding into my mind. Hours before, I sat at the computer drawing a complete blank, so I welcome this wave of inspiration. I now have that awkward decision of whether I’m inspired enough to drag myself out of bed and down the hall to the office. This time I do and Eric murmurs something to me as I leave. The computer screen comes on and I’m blinded for a good minute, squinting my eyes until they adjust.
I type out my recipe ideas into my Google Drive document (yes, I finally got rid of my paper notebook!) and then I start writing a post. When I feel like I’ve dumped everything out of my mind, I turn off the computer and head to bed. It doesn’t take very long until I’m fast asleep for the night.
Many moons ago, I promised you a nut-free energy bite recipe. Today, I’m making good on my word and I believe this is the only nut-free energy bite recipe on my blog to date. Now, you know I love my nuts (there is just no good way to write that), but I’m a big fan of adding seeds into my daily diet too. If you follow me on Instagram you might have witnessed my recent obsession with adding hulled hemp seeds in smoothies. I just can’t get enough of these omega-3 and protein rich seeds. I’m not sure if I’ll ever go back to protein powder again!
Hulled hemp seeds do have a strong flavour – sometimes too strong if used with abandon – so in an effort not to allow their earthy flavour to take over a sweet treat, I decided that a chocolate flavour would work nicely to balance it out. Obviously, chocolate is the solution to every problem. Every time.
Into the food processor go pitted medjool dates and equal portions of sesame, chia, hemp, and cocoa powder. I added a bit of sea salt, vanilla, and cinnamon for flavour enhancing and a scoop of cacao nibs for some awesome crunch. Raw cacao nibs are quite bitter on their own, but in these bites they work well adding antioxidants, fibre, magnesium, and more. Feel free to use mini dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate if you prefer. Leftovers are ready in the freezer for any snack attack and they are great when you’re running out the door in the morning!
PS- Thanks to my partner in crime for his crazy stacking skills!
Featuring all new, protein-packed salads, hearty toppers, flavour boosters, and dressings you'll want to drink, my new cookbook will transform the way you think about salads. Oh, and be sure to flip to the back for a surprise dessert chapter!
Super Seed Chocolate Protein Bites
Yield
16 bites
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Chill time
20
Total time
Nut-free chocolate energy bites featuring hemp, sesame, and chia seeds!
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed pitted Medjool dates (12-13 large)
- 1/4 cup hulled hemp seed
- 1/4 cup chia seed
- 1/4 cup sesame seed
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon fine grain sea salt, or to taste
- 1/4 cup raw cacao nibs (or mini dark chocolate chips)
Directions
- Add dates into processor and process until a chunky paste forms.
- Add in the hemp, chia, sesame, cocoa, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Process until thoroughly combined. Pulse in the cacao nibs. The dough should be sticky when pressed between your fingers. If it’s not sticky enough to shape into balls, add a small amount of water (a teaspoon at a time) and process until it comes together.
- Shape dough into small balls (about 16) and freeze for 20 minutes or so until firm. Store leftovers in the freezer until your next snack attack hits.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
Hope you have an energetic start to your week!
I made two batches of these this weekend (one for me, one for a gift). The second batch I rolled in shredded coconut– this was a great addition!
Angela, I do have one question about substituting though. I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome, so dried fruit is something I need to consume in very small amounts due to the sugar content. If I was to sub out half of the dates in order to reduce the sugar content, what could I include in it’s place?
Thank you! :)
Hmm, that’s a tough one – the dates act as a binder and sweetener, so you’d need to replace it with something that helps the mixture stick. I would probably try adding a bit of water to help make the mixture sticky (add 1 teaspoon at a time) and then I’d probably add some nut or seed butter since it helps bind too. good luck!
I just made these and they are amazing! My kids walked in while I was pulsing the dates and I was afraid they wouldn’t try them. But…they did. Not sure if they will make it in the freezer for the 20 minutes, the kids are searching for them. Oh well. Thanks!
Just what I was looking for! Thanks for the recipe. Can’t wait to make these tomorrow. Perfect for a late night snack or to bring to work when my afternoon cravings strike.
I made these today, and love them! I’m just starting marathon training again, and am looking for fun, protein packed snacks instead of always using protein powders (especially since I can’t have dairy or gluten). It’s hard to stop eating them. :)
I have never used seeds in baking, but I’ve been desperately seeking a healthier option to protein bars… Maybe I’ll be brave and give this one a try. Thanks!
Loved these! They were easy to make and are packed full of nutrition. These will be a regular snack at our house. Thanks!
Thank you for this recipe – they’re delicious and so incredibly easy to make! My 23 month old got a huge kick out of making them with me and he loved them as well (even thought he got his own little mini bites)! They may also become a go-to as far as my gifts to new moms – an ideal one handed snack! Thanks again.
I made these Chocolate Protein Bites for the first time this morning. This is my new favorite recipe. Love the chocolate flavor and the crunch. I lightly rolled them in dark cocoa powder and they look exactly like my favorite chocolate truffle (without the guilt). Thanks for the inspiration!
hi there! i was wondering what if we dont have a food processor? does a normal blender work okay? :) cant wait to try these!!!
oh and one more thing- what brand of cacao nibs is the healthiest/organic/least processed? i dont know where to find those! thanks so much for your time :) xx
I have become obsessed with making protein bites. I must try this recipe. Thank you for sharing!!
These are absolutely incredible and ridiculously easy!
I’ve never been super crazy about sesame seeds.. do you think that ground flax would work, or would it change the texture too much?
You could always give it a shot! I’m not sure as I havent tried it, but let me know how it goes if you do.
Hi Angela, I was just wondering if you used sweetened or unsweetened cocoa powder for this recipe. I have both at home but I think the unsweetened version might make it too bitter? I’m not sure so I thought I’d ask before wasting any ingredients or having to dunk these bites into actual chocolate haha! Thank you!
xx
Emy
Hi Emy, I always use unsweetened cocoa powder in my recipes – hope this helps!
These are fabulous!! I made these for the first time a few weeks ago and now I can’t live without them!! thanks Angela!
Hey I love all of your recipes!! I’m thinking of buying a food processor since a lot of your recipes require one. Which one do you have?
I have a 14-cup Cuisinart processor – love it. I would probably get a smaller size next time though.
These look delicious. Is it possible to make them without a food processor, I don’t have one yet. I only have a Magic Bullet.
Hi Janet, I think you could make them in a bullet or blender, though you may need to process in batches if your blender is on the smaller side. You’ll also want to make sure your dates are soft, so your blender can handle them. If you find your dates are a bit on the dry side, you can soften them by soaking them in boiling water for 20 to 30 minutes (then drain them, and continue on with the recipe as written). That way your blender will be better able to handle them. Hope you enjoy the recipe if you give it a try!”
These are amaze-balls.
I’m very new to the vegan lifestyle. I’m trying to determine how much protein I am getting. Your nutrition information for this wonderful recipe gave the grams of protein per serving. However, I cannot find how many of these balls constitute a serving. Thank you!
Depending on the size you make your balls, one or two, about 30grams I believe.
OMG I just made these and added some natural organic orange zest. They came out amazing! Just like the orange chocolate coffees from all the coffee shops in winter. Now I can enjoy the taste without having to buy an over expensive coffee. Thank you Angela!
I’m stocking up today on my healthy treats for the week since its snowing up here in MA! These are amazing!! Do you think I could add crushed sunflower seeds to these, maybe throw some in the food processor for a few pulses? Trying to increase my vit e intake. Thanks!
We are in MA also Juliet.