There are so many energy bites recipes out there. I used to save all of them without reading the ingredient list. When the time came to make them I realized I don’t even know what some ingredients are. Maybe there are healthy, but usually, I avoid the fancy food trends. I like to stick to simple ingredients that I know and trust. The ones that prove themselves as healthy, nutritious and good for you. The ones I have on hand and use all the time. I hate to buy trendy stuff because someone said it is healthy. I used to buy it, don’t like it and feel guilty to throw, so my kitchen was filled with lots of jars and packages. Until I stopped falling into the marketing trap.

Energy bars are so popular right now. And marketers are doing their best to convince you they are good for you and you need to eat them all the time. I tried some store-bought energy bars and didn’t like them at all. Way too sweet for me and contains some harmful ingredients.

I created this recipe with my favorite simple ingredients: dates, nuts, oats, cacao, coconut and some extra add-ons. I wanted a simple snack that I can make in less than 10 minutes but can enjoy it for weeks. Especially for active and busy weeks.

I usually make no-bake energy balls when I know there will be a lot of active work during the week. Or when an active season comes in. Like now. I take it for hiking, biking, long walks, picnics, etc. They are super convenient and easy to carry everywhere you go. That is why I like them so much. They are my sweet treats that do no harm 😉

BUT…

Are energy bars good for you?

It depends. If you eat a whole bunch of them all the time, then NO. If you eat them when you do some physical work or as a snack once in a while, then YES.

You see energy bites have a lot of calories because of all the protein from nuts, fiber from oatmeal, sugar from dates, etc. Which are good things for an active lifestyle or when you don’t consume enough of these ingredients.

I personally make and eat them often. I’m not a huge fan of raw nuts and don’t consume enough of them. For me sneaking nuts into the delicious chocolate energy bites is the best way to consume more nuts along with other good nutritious ingredients.

So yes, energy bars are healthy when you eat them with purpose! Like with any food if you eat it in moderate amount and at the appropriate time, then you will do a favor for your body.

Also, one more positive thing why you should make no bake energy bites is that you know exactly what goes in it and can control sugar level of it. This recipe for energy balls calls only for a ¼ cup of maple syrup, which is enough to stick everything together. A lot of store-bought energy bars use way too much sugar and other additives to prolong the shelf life.

 Now you know the benefits of energy balls, and hopefully, I convinced you to give them a chance. Once you learn how to make energy balls, you will never buy one again. The beauty of the homemade energy balls is that you can customize it and make it the way you like it. Experiment and create your best energy balls recipe.

Happy cooking!

Tips & Tricks for chocolate energy balls recipe:

• The easiest way to make balls is doing it with a small scoop.
• If you see your mixture is too dry, add little more maple syrup, honey or water. If it is too wet, add more oatmeal.
• If you want super healthy energy balls then add a couple of spices, like ground ginger, turmeric, and cinnamon. A teaspoon or ½ teaspoon will be enough to add extra healthiness. I tried all the spices above and loved all the variations.
• Use any of your favorite nuts: almonds, pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, macadamia, etc. Or do mix and match.
• Substitute maple syrup for honey.
• If you don’t have ground coffee, take instant coffee and dissolve it in vanilla extract.

If you make this recipe, please share your picture with me by tagging it #thepuretaste on Instagram. Or share your results in the comment section down below. It means a whole world to me knowing someone is making my recipes.

Thank you for sharing and support ❤️❤️❤️

Maria

Yields: 27 energy balls

No Bake Chocolate Energy Balls Recipe

10 minPrep Time

10 minCook Time

20 minTotal Time

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Ingredients:

• ¼ cup maple syrup
• 3 tbsp. coconut oil
• 2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup almonds
• 1 cup pecans
• 2 cups dates
• 1 cup oats
• ¾ cup shredded unsweetened coconut
• ¾ cup cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp. ground coffee
• ½ tsp. sea salt

Instructions:

In a medium saucepan combine maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Melt over medium heat.

Place nuts in a food processor. Pulse couple of times to break them into smaller pieces. Add dates and pulse again. Add rest of the ingredients and melted mixture. Pulse everything until the mixture comes together.

With a small scoop or tablespoon shape the mixture into balls. Chill until firm, at least 1 hour.

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 2 weeks.

Notes:

Total Time does not include chilling time, at least 1 hour.

Tags

Allergy

gluten free

dairy free

egg free

peanut free

Courses

Snack

Nutrition

Calories

3295 cal

Fat

166 g

Carbs

450 g

Protein

61 g

Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info

7.8.1.2

44

https://thepuretaste.com/chocolate-energy-balls-recipe/

Maria | The Pure Taste

Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links.  If you purchase a product through one of my links, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products that I use and love myself. Thank you in advance for your support! It means a lot!

Products used in this post:

Ever since I tried the granola bars in the US, I got hooked on these sweet little treats. There is something convenient and awfully delicious about them, and you cannot stop eating them.

When you finished the first bar, your brains start to whisper: “Stop there, enough for you. Think about your sugar intake!” BUT here come your emotions… Next thing you know, you are happily finishing your 2^nd bar, completely blocking your brain’s little health speech. Have you ever experienced this battle? I had numerous times. Then I got into a reading product’s labels rule. And the ugly truth revealed itself. Try to read labels of the store-bought energy and granola bars. You will be shocked how much sugar is in it and ingredients you cannot even pronounce!

Because of my granola bars love, the new plan was born: learn how to make homemade granola bars to control what goes in them. It turned out it is extremely easy to make and, more importantly, you have a choice what to put in it! Not to mention, it is a much healthier choice. You get some healthy fats and proteins from the nuts, lots of fiber from the oats and a whole lot of benefits from honey. These granola bars are less sweet than store-bought ones. I like all baked goods and desserts be on a less sugary side to avoid sugar overload. And I use only natural sweeteners (honey and maple syrup) in this recipe.

I want to share with you my personal favorite granola bars recipe. I have a couple of other granola bars recipes that I really enjoy and make them often. I will post other ones (because they are equally good) so you can have a variety.  This one is the most customizable, easy to make and filled with the ingredients that you very likely have on hand. Not to mention, you can completely substitute almost anything in this recipe:

• Almonds for chopped walnuts;
• Cranberries for raisins, cherries, chopped apricots;
• Maple syrup for agave syrup;
• Peanut butter for almond butter (healthier option).

Simple, customizable, delicious!

This is one of my favorite snacks during the day. It keeps you full for hours without any health damage. Take it to work, share with loved ones. Take it on a trip, hiking, beach, have it as a snack during a day, or before grocery shopping, etc. Whenever I know, we will be outside for the whole day or on the road, I always make and take them with us. The use of it is endless.

Let’s just forget about store-bought energy and granola bars and start making our owns. I encourage you to make these peanut butter granola bars. There is a big chance you will never go back to store-bought ones.

Peanut Butter Granola Bars Tips and Tricks:

1. You can store granola bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. However, with time they become soggy. For longer storage just keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Maybe even longer, good luck with that! Now you know the trick and can make a double batch and enjoy them whenever you want.
2. Use mini chocolate chips. It is easier to press them into the mixture for an even texture. The regular chocolate chips are fine too, but you need to put a little extra effort in pressing them.

Yields: 8-12 bars

Healthy Peanut Butter & Honey Granola Bars

15 minPrep Time

25 minCook Time

40 minTotal Time

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Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups Old-Fashioned Oats
• 3/4 cup slivered almonds
• 2/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup miniature chocolate chips + 1 heaping tbsp. for sprinkling
• ½ tsp. salt
• 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tbsp. maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350° F. Line an 8x8-inch baking dish with parchment paper overlapping on opposite sides to easy lift bars from the dish when finished.

2. Spread almonds on a baking sheet and toast for 5-7 minutes. Check regularly so they don’t burn. Remove from the oven, let it cool completely. Reduce oven temperature to 300° F. Combine oats and toasted almond in a food processor and give it a couple of pulses to make pieces smaller. Don’t overdo it. You need smaller pieces, not flour.

3. In a big bowl combine oats, almonds, unsweetened shredded coconut, dried cranberries, mini chocolate chips, and salt. Mix together until fully combined.

4. In a small pot combine peanut butter, honey, maple syrup, and vanilla. Heat it slightly over medium heat. You need it warm enough, so the ingredients are easy to combine, but not too hot to melt chocolate chips. Whisk the mixture well until fully incorporated.

5. Add this mixture to dry ingredients and stir until completely combined. Press the mixture into prepared baking dish using a 1 cup measuring cup (bottom covered in oil or butter) or with your hands. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of mini chocolate chips and press it gently onto the top. Bake for 20-25 minutes.

Remove and let it cool completely for 1-2 hours. Transfer to the refrigerator and chill for another hour or longer. When ready remove and cut into 8-12 equal bars.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Nutrition

Calories

931 cal

Fat

49 g

Carbs

99 g

Protein

32 g

Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info

7.8.1.2

4

https://thepuretaste.com/healthy-peanut-butter-honey-granola-bars/

Maria | The Pure Taste