RECIPE: Raw Power Bites

I recently tried a fruity energy bite from the store the other day and while I really enjoyed it, I was bummed that they added some unnecessary ingredients. I couldn’t get the idea out of my head, so I ran straight to the kitchen and began to run some trials. If you don’t like dates, this recipe obviously isn’t for you. Josh isn’t the biggest date fan, so these were a bit much for him…more for me though!

Sweet, slightly caramel-y, a bit decadent, but 100% fruit-sweetened! You can enjoy them chopped up and sprinkled over a smoothie bowl for breakfast, as a quick on-the-go snack, post workout bite or a healthy dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth.

RAW POWER BITES: {raw, gluten-free, soy-free, oat-free, vegan, oil-free}

Makes 12 balls

What you need:

• 1 cup pitted Medjool dates (approx 10-12)
• 1/4 cup fruit-sweetened dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1 teaspoon raw cacao powder
• 2 Tablespoons raw sesame seeds
• 2 Tablespoons raw sunflower seeds
• 2 Tablespoons dried mulberries
• 2 Tablespoons dried finely shredded coconut flakes

How to:

1. In a food processor, mix together the dates, cranberries and raisins. This will take a bit of time – I bounced between pulsing and running it on low, while scraping the sides down frequently. You’re looking for a paste-like consistency.
2. Finely grind your sesame seeds and sunflower seeds (I used a nut/spice grinder) and add to the food processor, along with cacao. Mix until well incorporated. See photos below.
3. Next, using either a nut/spice grinder or clean coffee grinder, pulse the mulberries and coconut flakes to break them down into smaller pieces. Place in a small bowl.
4. Then using a small cookie scoop form small balls and roll them in the mulberry-coconut mixture. This is a bit of a messy process as the balls are sticky, but the outer coating helps with that! If you don’t have a small cookie scoop, I’d form small balls just shy of a tablespoon measure.
5. Place them on a parchment lined plate or small baking sheet and allow them to set for a bit in the fridge. For a much firmer bite, place in the freezer. Keep any uneaten bites chilled (we keep ours in a sealed glass container in the fridge).

Other variations…

Add raw maqui powder (or acai) to the “dough”

Roll the balls in some cacao nibs or cacao

For an even sweeter bite, add in some maple syrup or coconut nectar.

 

Thanks for stopping by!