Cocoa Fruit Energy Bites

When I want a snack or a quick bite for breakfast, I often just want instant gratification and don't wish to clatter and bang around dishes and pots and pans to gratify the mind and tummy. An easy and healthy solution is to have a batch of power-packed homemade protein treats on hand at all times such as these seedy little cocoa and peanut butter energy bites that are packed full of nutrients, sweet without any added processed sweetener, and just bursting with dried fruit goodness. They take very little time at all to mix up and they are raw too. No baking required.

This recipe allows for some room to move around with some favorites from your own pantry. Experiment with your favorite dried fruits, omit the nut butter if desired and toss in other seeds or even dark chocolate or carob bits if you wish. Either way, you are in for a healthy treat that nonetheless tastes like you are riding the wave of decadence. The amounts I provide here are rough estimates as I tend to throw things together with very little "formal" measuring, except for my eye that is guided by experience. I have, however, accurately written down what I did, with a little wiggle room here and there. These treats are really rather forgiving, so if they are too moist to roll, just add more cocoa, carob powder and/or cherries.

Cocoa Fruit Energy Bites

Recipe by Lisa Turner
Published on September 13, 2013

Small dense bites of chocolate and peanut butter with bursts of flavor and wholesome energy from seeds and dried fruits

Preparation: 20 minutes

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Ingredients:

1/2 cup pitted dates
2/3 cup pitted prunes
4 to 5 tablespoons peanut butter or almond butter
2 to 3 teaspoons raw honey (optional)
1/4 cup hemp seeds
1/4 cup chia seeds
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamon (optional)
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon dried red chili flakes
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
3 to 4 tablespoons cocoa or carob powder
1/4 to 1/2 cup dried cherries

Instructions:

In a food processor, process the dates and prunes together until a thick ball of paste forms. Pulse in the nut butter and honey if using. Now add the rest of the ingredients except the dried cherries, and process until well combined. Let this mixture sit for 15 minutes or so.
Briefly pulse in the cherries and shape into roughly 1-inch balls. Chill in the refrigerator for about 1 hour before serving. Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for at least a week (although I'll bet they don't last that long!).

Makes 14 to 16 small bites