Snack on my higher protein chocolate energy bites that taste like a [healthier] chewy brownie! Simply whiz medjool dates, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, and cacao in the food processor for a nut free energy ball that’s easy to blend (not crumbly!) and perfect for lunchboxes. No added sugar.
I am most definitely known as the brownie queen. While my chocolate fame comes namely from my best ever healthy brownies with olive oil, today we’re not baking a thing (and we’re leaving nuts at the door!).
Since my kiddos’ school is nut free, these epic chocolate energy bites star shelled pumpkin seeds and high protein hemp seeds whizzed into no-bake brownie bite bliss.
Like so many of my healthy snack recipes, they’re are the ideal balance of chewy, sweet and satisfying. If you’ve laid mouth on my chocolate PB energy bites with almond flour, you know we’re almost crossing into dessert territory here!
A peek inside recipe testing
- Seeds: I developed this recipe specifically with seeds so my toddlers could pack nourishing, nut free snacks for school. Most brownie energy bite recipes call for walnuts (my fave), but we’re changing it up! I buy a big bag of sprouted pumpkin seeds from Costco. Bonus points that they’re high in iron and protein.
- Cacao: I tested these with raw cacao (more antioxidants) and regular baking cocoa and both worked great. I use raw more often for the nutrient boost.
- Pitted medjool dates: The dates should be really soft and smushy. If they’re hard and dry (no shame), just give them a quick soak in really hot water to soften them up.
Let’s make ’em!
Storage
Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. I love them frozen, too! Divine with a pinch of salt and washed down with chilly [almond] milk, obviously.
I hope you’re as obsessed with this fun energy bite as I am!
I’d be super grateful if you’d take a moment to leave a quick star rating and review below. Comments mean the world to me and your honest feedback helps me to continue to share recipes you’ll crave!
Brownie Energy Bites with Dates (nut free!)
-
Prep Time:
15 minutes -
Cook Time:
0 minutes -
Total Time:
15 minutes -
Yield:
16 bites 1x -
Category:
Energy Bites -
Method:
No Cook -
Cuisine:
American -
Diet:
Gluten Free
Description
Snack on my higher protein chocolate energy bites that taste like a [healthier] chewy brownie! Simply whiz medjool dates, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, and cacao in the food processor for a nut free energy ball that’s easy to blend (not crumbly!) and perfect for lunchboxes. No added sugar!
If you don’t need these to be nut free (we do for school lunches), I love these the most made with 1 cup of walnuts in place of the seeds. One cup of any combo of nuts and seeds works.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Instructions
- Place dates in the bowl of a food processor. Blend until a paste forms.
- Add pepitas and blend until finely ground.
- Add cacao, collagen if using, vanilla, 1 tbsp milk, and salt. Blend until a sticky dough ball starts to form, adding another tbsp of milk if needed to moisten. It should be soft and easily roll into balls. (Be careful not to over-blend or they get greasy.)
- Roll into balls. I like to sprinkle with flaky salt. Store in the refrigerator (I like them frozen, too!) to help them keep their shape. They’ll last for 2 weeks!
Notes
*If your dates are hard versus soft and squishy, soak them in a bowl of hot water for 5-10 minutes. You may or may not need the milk.
