Cranberry Orange Almond Energy Bites

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Rating

(5)

Ingredients

1 cup pitted Medjool dates (about 10 to 12 dates)
1 cup whole raw almonds
2/3 cup dried cranberries
2/3 cup old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup shredded coconut
2 tablespoons ground flax seed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
zest of 1 orange + 2 tablespoons orange juice
Optional orange-coconut coating:
1/4 cup shredded coconut
zest of 1 orange

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Preparation

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Step 1

Combine all of the energy bite ingredients in a food processor and pulse, pausing to scrape down the sides anytime needed, until the texture resembles coarse crumbs.

Step 2

Using a 1-tablespoon cookie scoop (or a spoon), scoop the mixture into heaping tablespoon-fulls. Then roll into round balls, about 1-inch each in diameter. (If you briefly wet your hands with water before rolling, it will help the mixture not to stick.)

Step 3

Stir together the shredded coconut and orange zest in a small bowl until combined. Roll the balls in the coating, if you would like.

Step 4

Then serve and enjoy! Any leftover energy bites can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Step 5

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Chef's notes

Use different nuts/seeds:

Use any other variety or cut (sliced, slivered, chopped, etc) of almonds that you prefer. Or sub in a different type of nuts for the almonds altogether. For example, peanuts, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, hazelnuts or sunflower seeds would all be delicious options.

Use different dried fruit:

Use any other variety of dried fruit that you prefer in place of the dried cranberries. For example, dried cherries, apricots, mango, figs or raisins would all be great options.

Use a different sweetener:

I find that dates really work best for this recipe, but you are welcome to use honey to sweeten them if you prefer. If using honey, I recommend chilling the ingredient mixture before rolling into balls, and just note that they will not stick together as easily.

Add cocoa:

Add a tablespoon or two of unsweetened cocoa powder to give this recipe a chocolatey twist.

Add extra mix-ins:

Add in a tablespoon of protein powder, chia seeds, hemp seeds in place of one of the tablespoons of ground flax.