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!
Also, do you think I could make these into bars rather than balls for more travel friendly treats?
These are great, simple to make and my 15mo old loves them, minus the nibs of course
I added a bit more cinnamon, because we love it :)
I just made these and they are really good! And, so simple. I used dark chocolate chips from Enjoy life in place of the chocolate nibs.
These are amazing! I’ve made these 3 times and each time I make them a bit differently.
The second time I made them I put less chocolate chips in the balls and rolled the balls in melted chocolate.
Then I thought, how can I put peanut butter and chocolate together?! I made a batch tonight and as soon as I had them all rolled up I realized I could flatten them into round cookies and add a dollop of peanut butter on top!
Oh, yum (purring sounds). I made these using peanut butter and a little bit of coconut oil instead of the dates. I also added flax meal and used raw cacao powder and added chocolate hemp protein powder in addition to the hemp seeds. Instead of balls, I pressed it into pie tins and cut into mini bars and keep them in my freezer. I ate a whole pan the first day.
Yum Yum! We are not vegan, but are working toward becoming plant based and I needed some healthy, easy and portable snack ideas for my Kindergartener. She picked these out first and we just made them this morning. We’ve never had Hemp seeds before and they are great. She loves these little balls and is excited to bring them to school. Can’t wait to try some more of your recipes here.
I can’t have sesame, thoughts of adding ground flax?
Neither my grocery store or local organic store carry hemp. What can I use instead? I am allergic to nuts.
Damn, these are awesome!!! Perfect for my allergy kid too : )
Love love these. I’m a distance runner and always on the look out for simple healthy bars and bites for energy or recovery. They remind me of Bounce Balls, only looks like you invented these first!! Please please can you make up some more versions, energy, recovery etc
keep up the great work, your recipes are what first got me interested in vegan food.
These are amazing! I have made them a few times now and they have been a hit with everybody including my 10 month old and my 2yrl old who is the pickiest eater ever! I have made a slight change to the recipe in that instead of sesame seeds I use tahini as I find it makes them a little more moist. I also coat them in very fine shredded coconut in the end. The best.
I’m excited to try this out. Can’t wait
Decided I had to give up my nightly dark chocolate slash salty cravings! These were so easy and perfect. Instead of water I added a tiny bit of coconut oil and then rolled them in organic unsweetened coconut. I used some locally sourced sea salt I just dried and a little cayenne too. Can’t wait till my snack attack comes on! Thank you for a great selection of recipes. Your website is one of my go-to’s!
How long are they good for, a week?
These are AMAZING! I didn’t have any hemp seeds / couldn’t find any and they still tasted delicious. I substituted water (for if they’re dry) with a tiny amount of coconut oil. So yummy!
This looks so good, but I’m alergic to chocolate. Do you have a sweet non-chocolate suggestion for an additive? Caramel? Vanilla?
A few years ago you had a breakfast ball recipe that had about 20 ingredients in it and was incredibly healthy- kind of like a granola bar, but it was a ball and baked it for a bit. I can’t find the recipe on your website anywhere. Can you send me the link? I loved that recipe!
Thanks, Kim
Hi Kim, Hmm, I don’t recall this recipe…are you sure it was from my website? :) I will think on it more though and let you know if I come up with anything!
How long will these be good once removed from the freezer?
I just made these to take to work for an afternoon snack. I’m always on the lookout for something quick and healthy (and portable). They are so tasty! They’re like healthy truffles! Next time I think I may add a coconut or even a little cayenne. You can do so much with flavor combinations. Another great recipe, Angela!
These are THE BEST! Gave them to father in law (who is a cyclist) for his birthday and he loves them too!