I am introducing you to a new favorite energy bite that is sweetened by dates & full of protein. These will be a perfect snack or post workout bite! So simple, delicious & healthy coming your way in little to no prep/cook time! Plus they have this secret ingredient that you all are going to become obsessed with. You know it’s regular form, but you may not know it once it gets all nice and toasty. That ingredient is Quinoa! These Healthy Chocolate Crunch Energy bites are sure going to be a constant recipe you make each week!
Do you remember eating Crunch Bars when you were little? That yummy milk chocolate with crisped rice. This is my HGHF healthy energy bite that is a spin off those favorite childhood bars of mine. Get ready for a wonderful snack that will curb that sweet tooth!
How Do You Get The CRUNCH: POPPED QUINOA— WHAT?
How to POP your quinoa!
- 1. Heat up a medium non stick skillet to medium heat. Spray with olive oil & then take a towel & rub in the oil. Let it heat for about 3 minutes, to get it nice and hot at medium. Then layer your white quinoa to cover the whole skillet.
- 2. Then wait for about 3 minutes, then start to shake the pan & continue to do so for about 8 minutes. Until you hear the popping & smell the toasting of the quinoa. Continue to shake it, so that it doesn’t burn. Until you start to hear the popping die off. It should only take about 8 minutes and you can see it start to brown & smell nutty. Try with a spoon some of it, it should be nice, crispy & nutty! PERFECT for on top of salads, yogurt, in chocolate to add that crunch!
- 3. Transfer to a bowl & let cool until real to use. Store in a sealed container.
What Delicious Ingredients Are In These Chocolate Crunch Energy Bites
- Raw Cashews
- Raw Pecans
- Dates ( make sure to take the pits out)
- Nut Butter
- Cocoa Powder
- Salt
- Popped Quinoa
- Oat Flour
How to Make the Healthy Chocolate Crunch Energy Bites
How Simple Are These Chocolate Crunch Bites?
Ingredients
- 8 large dates
- 1/2 cup raw cashews
- 1/2 cup raw pecans
- 4 tbsp almond butter
- 2 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp pop quinoa ( see directions for popping quinoa below)
- 2 tbsp oat flour
- ( may add 1 -2 tsp of maple syrup if you would like it sweeter, I have done both! I personally like to not add it, because I don’t like things as sweet, but what ever works for you!)
Instructions
- In food processor add pecans, cashews & dates (make sure you have taken the pits out) Pulse until mixture is fine & tiny pieces, when you press down mixture starts to stick a bit together.
- Transfer the mixture from the processor to a medium sized bowl. Then add in cocoa powder, salt & whisk together until fully combined. After add in almond butter & with a spatula mix until throughly combined, it should start to resemble dough. Then add in 1-1 1/2 tbsp of POPPED quinoa and oat flour. This gives it that extra nutritional boost as well as an amazing toasty crunch too. Fold that in with spatula also. [THIS is where you will add the maple syrup if you want to. Only 1 tsp or 2.. they are sweetened by dates & the chocolate really comes out with less Maple Syrup, but I understand wanting to add some in, because it is delish either way! You choose what is best for you! 🙂 ]
- Then roll into 16 energy bite balls & place in container to freeze! Then keep in freezer & pull them out at any given moment…. & let me tell you it will be EVERY given moment 🙂 Make sure you check out below, how to pop that yummy quinoa
What Other HGHF Energy Bite Recipes Should I Make?
No Bake Snickerdoodle Cookie Dough Bites
Am I able to use any nut butters in this recipe?
You can use whatever nut butter you’d like, but I highly recommend almond or cashew, because they have a milder taste than peanut butter. I love peanut butter but it has a stronger taste that takes away from that chocolate flavor. Also make sure it is the kind where natural oil occurs at the top. After mixing it, the nut butters will still have a very creamy texture needed for the energy bites
Are you able to use other nut combinations besides pecans and cashews?
I have not tried any other nut combination than the pecans and cashews, if you try another just make sure it still blends to a fine consistency that when you press together with your fingers they stick together. See video above 🙂
What is the best way to store the Healthy Chocolate Crunch Energy Bites?
Since they are majority flourless, storing in freezer is the best for shelf life. You can pull out of the freezer and have them thaw and put in your lunch box to thaw out by lunch.
Can I make these energy bites without the popped quinoa?
Sure! I love the crunchy and toasting add the popped quinoa brings them, but you can do without as well.
Healthy Chocolate Crunch Energy Bites
Equipment
- food processor
Ingredients
- 8 large dates — make sure you take the pits out — I highly recommend the fresh dates from the bulk section of your grocer. Those are the perfect sizes. In the bags the end up getting more dried out & are smaller
- 1/2 cup raw cashews
- 1/2 cup raw pecans
- 3 tbsp natural almond butter or cashew butter want to make sure it is the kind where natural oil occurs at the top. After mixing it, the nut butters will still have a very creamy texture needed for the energy bites
- 2 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp oat flour
- 2 tbsp pop quinoa ( see directions for popping quinoa below)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- ( may add 1 -2 tsp of maple syrup if you would like it sweeter, I have done both! I personally like to not add it, because I don’t like things as sweet, but what ever works for you!)
Instructions
- In food processor add pecans, cashews & dates (make sure you have taken the pits out) Pulse until mixture is fine & tiny pieces, when you press down mixture starts to stick a bit together.
- Transfer the mixture from the processor to a medium sized bowl. Then add in cocoa powder, salt & whisk together until fully combined. Then add in almond butter & with a spatula mix until throughly combined, it should start to resemble dough. Then add in 1-1 1/2 tbsp of POPPED quinoa. This gives it that extra nutritional boost as well as an amazing toasty crunch too. Fold that in with spatula also. [THIS is where you will add the maple syrup if you want to. Only 1 tsp or 2.. they are sweetened by dates & the chocolate really comes out with less Maple Syrup, but I understand wanting to add some in, because it is delish either way! You choose what is best for you! 🙂 ]
- Then roll into 8 energy bite balls & place in container to freeze! Then keep in freezer & pull them out at any given moment…. & let me tell you it will be EVERY given moment 🙂 Make sure you check out below, how to pop that yummy quinoa
How to POP your quinoa!
- Heat up a medium non stick skillet to medium heat. Spray with olive oil & then take a towel & rub in the oil. Let it heat for about 3 minutes, to get it nice and hot at medium. Then layer your white quinoa to cover the whole skillet.
- Then wait for about 3 minutes, then start to shake the pan & continue to do so for about 8 minutes. Until you hear the popping & smell the toasting of the quinoa. Continue to shake it, so that it doesn’t burn. Until you start to hear the popping die off. It should only take about 8 minutes and you can see it start to brown & smell nutty. Try with a spoon some of it, it should be nice, crispy & nutty! PERFECT for on top of salads, yogurt, in chocolate to add that crunch!
- Transfer to a bowl & let cool until real to use. Store in a sealed container.
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