Vegan, Paleo, Super Simple, & Totally Delicious:
Sometimes you just want a tasty, healthy, quick snack to grab on the way to your next adventure. Enter, these totally amazing Chocolate Raspberry Energy Bites.
This is where most of us turn to protein or snack bars, but lots of them have weird ingredients and tons of added sugar. Not to mention, they can often cost a good bit of hard. cash. money. Why not eat these Chocolate Raspberry Energy Bites instead! They have it all: nutrition, taste, convenience, and good looks. Only a few ingredients come together to make what tastes like an indulgent treat but is actually a super healthy snack. They are just the right amount of sweet without any added sugar and an extremely well-paired chocolaty kick.
Back home in Pennsylvania, I was lucky enough to have a raspberry patch in my yard, that I could walk out to every morning in the summer. Here in Colorado, I am not (currently) as fortunate but raspberries are still my most favorite fruit. This is the first time I’ve experimented with freeze-dried berries but they are honestly a major perk of this recipe. The combination of freeze-dried raspberries, dates, almond butter, and almonds creates the ideal texture to roll into these cute little Chocolate Raspberry Energy bites. Toss them in some cacao powder and the result is heaven! I’ just in love with the chocolate-raspberry duo.
I often find myself finishing up a workout in the morning and having to hustle off to work; usually, my breakfast is packed and ready to bring but I want to eat something small before I head out the door. These Chocolate Raspberry Energy Bites are perfect for that. They’re also great to bring along on a hike and they make a healthy dessert option if you just want something a bit sweet after dinner.
Why You Should Eat Them
Raspberries and chocolate, that’s why! Need I say more? Well, I will anyway…. Raspberries are truly a superfood. They are super high in many types of antioxidants, which in general lower our risk for chronic inflammation, cancer, and diseases like diabetes or atherosclerosis. The high concentration of phytonutrients like these in raspberries makes it possible to get a lot of benefits from even a small serving. They have a satisfyingly sweet flavor while being high in fiber, so they have a lower glycemic load, which means it’s easier for your blood sugar to stay stable after eating them. When buying raspberries opt for ripe ones that are organic – they’re proven to be higher in antioxidants than unripe and non-organic ones.
Are you ready for some of the best news ever? Chocolate is good for you! This is not the last time you’ll hear me say this. The trick with chocolate is to avoid too much sugar. Cacao is the raw form of chocolate, and it’s full of antioxidants and minerals like magnesium, which is one of the reasons you might feel very calm after eating some dark chocolate. The darker the better to reap its benefits. These Chocolate Raspberry Energy Bites are rolled in pure cacao powder, giving you a super rich taste without any sugar or dairy products added.
The almonds in this recipe give you a great dose of protein, along with fiber, and healthy fats. This means they will fill you up easily and help you stay satisfied longer.
I specifically designed these Chocolate Raspberry Energy Bites to fuel your body on a healthy, but damn tasty, level. Calcium and magnesium from the almonds and cacao are both really beneficial when you’re working those muscles, to help them function better and recover faster. The B-Vitamins and touch of caffeine from the cacao, along with the carbs in the dates and raspberries, provide you with a surge of energy to keep you going. While I love adding sea salt to sweet things for a delicious contrast, it also serves a beneficial purpose here by replenishing the electrolytes you lose while sweating. Just more reasons why this is a great snack for an active day!
How You Can Make Them
This is so easy! Just toss your almonds, almond butter, dates (make sure they’re pitted!), sea salt, and freeze-dried raspberries in a food processor. Pulse it at first until things get moving, then switch to process and blend until everything is crumbly like this…
The moisture content of your dates could vary. So, if it’s not that sticky, add a couple more dates and/or a little more almond butter. Once everything is combined take small handfuls, about 2 tablespoons worth, and form into balls. Roll these in a shallow dish of your cacao powder and you’re done! I suggest storing extras in the fridge. It’s fun to serve these with fresh raspberries for dessert, too!
Do you have any fun outdoor adventures planned, that you’d love to take these Chocolate Raspberry Energy Bites along for? Let me know! My husband and I are going to be climbing a 14er out here in Colorado with our good friends in July. Until then we have some small hikes close to home planned and hopefully a few camping getaways. Have a wonderful weekend <3
Chocolate Raspberry Energy Bites
Prep
Total
Yield 18-20 Bites
These little guys are a super easy, nutritious snack to grab and take on the go! They have the perfect amount of sweetness without any added sugar, along with protein and healthy fat to fill you up and power you through the day.
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp. creamy almond butter
- 1 cup freeze-dried raspberries
- 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted and chopped
- 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
- 1/3 cup raw cacao powder
Instructions
- Add almonds, dates, raspberries, almond butter, and sea salt into a large food processor and pulse several times. (If you have a small food processor, divide ingredients in half and make two batches).
- After ingredients are somewhat chopped, switch from pulse to process and continue until very crumbly.
- Gather a small handful, about 2 Tbsp's, and form/roll into a small ball. Repeat with all of the mix.
- Once balls are all formed, gently roll them in a shallow dish of cacao powder.
- Refrigerate any extras in an airtight container. Enjoy!
Notes
- The moisture content of dates can vary - if your mix isn't sticking together enough to form balls, add a couple more dates or a 1/2 - 1 Tbsp almond butter and process again until well blended.
- I have a 14 cup food processor that worked perfectly for this recipe. If you have a smaller one you'll need to cut all the ingredients in half.
Courses Snack, Breakfast, Dessert
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