Cacao, Almond & Goji Energy Bites
Cacao, almond & goji energy bites are my new favorite healthy snack… they’re really easy to make (like super easy) and also they taste so good – I’m obsessed. I like to keep them for nutritious energy snacks… and healthy treats (so cheeky!) – but too be completely honest, they don’t last too long in my house. Hehe!
Having sustained energy is all about eating a balanced diet that contains low-GL carbs, healthy fats and healthy protein. I’ve tried a lot of different diets (raw-vegan, vegan, Paleo, Banting and many more) and while there is nothing “wrong” with any of these diets, I found that eating a balanced diet is actually best for long having sustained energy all day. All of the macro nutrients are important to have in a diet!
My boyfriend sometimes has to work very long hours in his job and often doesn’t have the time to make snacks while working – and he gets hungry a lot. He is ALWAYS hungry. So I decided to make these healthy energy bites for him to keep and eat for quick snacks between meals. They’re full of healthy, nutritious, natural energy and so they keep him going!
I’m also absolutely LOVING these little snacks (as I mentioned already), I think it might have to do with the fact they are so chocolately (yum) and decadent. They also contain 3 of my favorite ingredients – cacao, almonds & goji berries… so maybe that’s why I’m so obsessed.
This recipe is refined sugar-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, grain-free, plant based and totally healthy!
I hope you LOVE them as much as I do. xoxo
Ingredients:
-12 fresh medjool dates
-1/2 cup cacao powder (raw cocoa)
-1/2 cup almond flour
-1 cup roughly chopped raw almonds
-1/4 cup nut butter (almond, macadamia or cashew nut butter will do)
-1/2 cup goji berries
-2 teaspoons ground vanilla powder/ pure vanilla extract
-1 teaspoon cinnamon
-tiny pinch sea salt
(makes 20-40 energy bites – depending on size)
Instructions:
-pit the fresh dates and soak them in warm water for 15 minutes
-if you have a high powered blender/ food processor, you can pulse the soaked dates in there until a sticky paste forms
-if you don’t have a blender/ food processor, you can chop the soaked dates and then smash them with the back of a fork until a sticky paste forms
-roughly chop the raw almonds
-mix the sticky date paste, nut butter, cacao powder, vanilla, cinnamon & sea salt together until blended and smooth
-now mix in the almond flour, roughly chopped almonds & goji berries into the chocolate paste – until well blended
-if you have a food processor, you can pulse all of the ingredients together in there if you want to
-spoon the mixture out (I like to use about a tablespoon sized amount per energy bite), press the mixture between your hands and gently roll into equal sized balls
-if the mixture is too sticky to work with, you can refrigerate the batter for 30 minutes so that it is more set, then continue pressing & rolling
-once you have rolled all of the batter into balls, place them into the fridge on a flat dish lined with parchment paper for about 30 minutes
-store them in the fridge in an airtight container to keep them fresh for longer (should last at least 2-3 weeks, if you don’t eat them all before then)
-snack on, eat, treat yourself & enjoy every bite!
Made with love by Liezl Jayne xo
