Blitzing dates, walnuts, and raw cacao powder in a food processor gives you a dense, fudgy mixture that rolls into balls without any baking. They taste like a brownie edge, and the sticky date base means you don't need refined sugar to get there.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups pitted medjool dates
- 1 cup walnuts
- 3 tbsp raw cacao powder
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp shredded coconut, for rolling
Instructions
- Add dates, walnuts, cacao powder, almond butter, salt, and vanilla to a food processor.
- Pulse until the mixture is finely broken down and starts to clump together when pressed between your fingers.
- Roll heaping tablespoons of the mixture into balls with your hands.
- Roll each ball in shredded coconut to coat.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes to firm up before serving.
Nutrition Facts (per serving, 2 bites)
| Calories | 150 |
| Total fat | 8g |
| Total carbohydrates | 19g |
| Dietary fiber | 3g |
| Protein | 3g |
| Sodium | 35mg |
Why This Is Good for Your Gut
Dates provide soluble fiber and polyphenols that support beneficial gut bacteria while sweetening the mixture naturally, keeping added sugar at zero. Walnuts contribute plant-based omega-3 fats with anti-inflammatory benefits for the gut lining. Raw cacao is rich in flavanols that have prebiotic-like effects on gut microbes.
Keep them in the fridge in an airtight container. They firm up nicely and last about two weeks. If you want to mix up your energy-bite rotation, try Coconut Almond Energy Bites next.
This recipe is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional dietary advice.
