Sweet tooth calling? Satisfy your craving with a batch of Chocolate No-Bake Energy Bites.
It’s 9 pm on a Friday night. You’ve just started a new season of your favorite Netflix binge when that familiar voice grabs your attention. It’s your sweet tooth whispering “You want something chocolatey and oh-so-good, don’t you?” Yet, you’ve been eating clean all week, and you don’t want to give up now. Then you remember, “Hey! I saw this recipe for chocolate no-bake energy bites. They looked really good and were full of feel-good ingredients.” So you hit pause and spend a few minutes whipping up a batch of decadent treats – no need to turn on the oven! You eventually make it back to the couch, pop a chocolate treat in your mouth, and your sweet tooth sighs and thanks you.
As you might have guessed, the above is a true-life story. I have a ravenous sweet tooth that gets bossy in the evening. That’s why I’m so glad I found this recipe for chocolate no-bake energy bites. They are quick and easy to make and satisfy my late-night appetite. They taste like chocolate chip cookies, but they make me feel so much healthier. I can indulge on movie night without regret with these tasty chocolate bites.
Are Chocolate No-Bake Energy Bites Healthy?
These bites are a gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan snack option that uses nutritious ingredients. Each bite contains only 87 calories. They also pack 12 grams of carbohydrates, the body’s main source of energy. The recipe is made with simple pantry ingredients like oats, almonds, and peanut butter, ingredients that provide fiber and healthy fats. The cacao powder that flavors them contains antioxidants like flavonoids, and the bites are sweetened primarily with maple syrup, a good alternative for anyone avoiding refined sugar. They can be made ahead and refrigerated or frozen for convenience, perfect for busy schedules. Pop a couple before you go for a run or exercise. Or nibble on a couple in the afternoon to give you the energy to make it to quitting time.
Why Do We Love Chocolate?
Chocolate: truly one of the wonders of the world, and one that humans have been craving since ancient times. When you add chocolate to just about any dish it becomes insanely delicious. I would probably eat okra if you dipped it in chocolate. Chocolate makes people happy!
That is not just an opinion — it’s science. Inside chocolate is an amino acid called tryptophan. Tryptophan helps the brain make serotonin — a neurotransmitter that makes you feel good. Eating chocolate also releases endorphins, dopamine, and oxytocin — all neurochemicals that can help us feel happy and content. Need a little pick-me-up? Let me write you a prescription. Eat a chocolate energy bite. It should put a smile on your face.
How to Make Ahead and Store
These energy bites are a great snack to make ahead of time. Simply place the bites in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week. You can also freeze the snacks in an airtight container and they’ll stay scrumptious for up to 1 month; thaw them in the fridge or on the counter.
Serving Suggestions
You don’t have to wait for the late-night munchies to hit before you enjoy these chocolate bites. They make a great addition to an on-the-go breakfast. Have them with savory Egg Muffins to put together a balanced breakfast. Or save them for a mid-afternoon snack — after you’ve had Vegan Summer Rolls for lunch. You could even use them as a topping for Homemade Frozen Yogurt.
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup raw almonds
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup cacao powder
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate drops
- 1 pinch sea salt
Instructions
- Place the rolled oats and almonds into a food processor and blend to grind into a coarse crumb.
- Add the peanut butter, cacao powder, maple syrup, dark chocolate drops, and a pinch of sea salt into the bowl of the food processor and blend again until it forms a ball.
- Break off small pieces of the mix and roll into balls. About 2 tablespoons of mix works well. If the balls are sticky then blend them with a bit more oats; if they are too dry add a little more peanut butter.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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