• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Recipes
    • Easy Dinners
    • Dessert
    • Breakfast and Brunch
    • Thai
    • Gluten-free
    • Vegetarian

Inquiring Chef

menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Easy Dinners
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home > Recipes > Healthyish

    Dark Chocolate Almond Energy Bites

    Published: Jan 29, 2019 · Modified: Mar 15, 2022 · by Jess Smith · Jump to Recipe · 3 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

    a hand holding Chocolate Almond Energy Bites
    Chocolate Almond Energy Bites on a sheet pan
    Chocolate Almond Energy Bites in a bowl
    Chocolate Almond Energy Bites in a bowl
    Dark Chocolate Almond Energy Bites

    energy bites in a wooden bowl

    Just four ingredients needed to make these healthy, protein-packed chocolate almond energy bites that taste like cookie dough but have no added sugar. Keep them in the fridge for a quick pick-me-up.

    It’s possible that the most challenging thing about January this year was getting ourselves off the cookie habit that we picked up in December. There were a few too many Christmas cookies hanging around over the holidays this year. I was really needing to ease off the sugar, but still wanted something for my ever-present sweet tooth. These “energy bites” are pretty perfect for dessert (even though they have no added sugar), but they also come in handy for those so-hungry-can’t-quite-make-it-until-dinner moments. I wrote about these years ago, but in the past few weeks I’ve been playing around with the recipe. This version has an extra rich chocolate flavor and a super fudgy texture.

    a hand holding a chocolate energy bite

    Dark Chocolate Almond Energy Bites Ingredients

    • Nuts - We tested this recipe with both raw cashews and raw almonds. Cashews gave the energy bites the most creamy texture. Raw almonds gave them an even more intense almond flavor (though both had almond flavor from the almond butter).
    • Pitted Dates - Look for medjool dates. If they contain pits, just slice them open and remove the pits before using them (it just takes a couple minutes).
    • Cocoa Powder - Unsweetened cocoa powder gives these a rich, deep chocolate flavor. Any type will work - just look for it in the baking section.
    • Almond Butter - To keep these energy bites free of added sugar, I use a natural almond butter like Justin’s, but any type will work. Don’t have almond butter? Peanut butter, cashew butter, any nut or seed butter will work!

    medjool dates in a clear bowl

    How to Make Dark Chocolate Almond Energy Bites

    (It couldn’t be easier!)

    1. Combine nuts and dates in the bowl of a food processor. Blend until finely ground. All of the pieces should be roughly the size of sesame seeds (or smaller) and evenly mixed.
    2. Add cocoa powder and almond butter. Pulse until smooth. The mixture should stick together when you press it between your fingers. If it seems dry, add more almond butter 2 teaspoon at a time.
    3. Roll into 1 tablespoon balls. For some extra fun, roll them in toppings - see below for ideas.
    4. Eat or refrigerate for up to 2 weeks. Enjoy!

     

    ingredients for energy bites in a food processor

    Possible Variations

    • For extra nutrition - Add 1 tablespoon of chia seeds, hemp hearts, or flaxseed.
    • For fun - Roll the balls in mini chocolate chips (gently press them into the dough as you roll it), cocoa powder, white sesame seeds, or sprinkles!

    energy bites on a sheet pan

    More Recipes Using Dark Chocolate

    • Dark Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn
    • Dark Chocolate, Raspberry, and Oat Cookie Bars

    Favorite Tools

    • Cuisinart Food Processor
    • Anchor 3-Piece Glass Mixing Bowls

    energy bites in a small wooden bowl

    Chocolate Almond Energy Bites in a bowl
    Print Recipe
    3.45 from 9 votes

    Dark Chocolate Almond Energy Bites

    Just four ingredients needed to make these healthy, protein-packed chocolate almond energy bites that taste like cookie dough but have no added sugar. Keep them in the fridge for a quick pick-me-up.
    Prep Time20 mins
    Total Time20 mins
    Course: Snack
    Keyword: dark chocolate, energy bites
    Servings: 30
    Calories: 60kcal
    Author: Jess Smith via Inquiring Chef
    Cost: $3.00

    Equipment

    • Food Processor

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup Raw Cashews or Raw Almonds
    • 8 oz Pitted Medjool Dates (~16 medium dates)
    • 6 tablespoon Cocoa Powder
    • 4 tablespoon Almond Butter (I use Justin’s; see note)

    Optional toppings:

    • Mini Chocolate Chips
    • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
    • White Sesame Seeds
    • Chocolate Sprinkles

    Instructions

    • Combine cashews / almonds and dates in the bowl of a food processor. Blend until finely ground. All of the pieces should be roughly the size of sesame seeds (or smaller) and evenly mixed.
    • Add cocoa powder and almond butter. Pulse until smooth. The mixture should stick together when you press it between your fingers. (Note: If it seems dry or crumbly, add more almond butter 1 tablespoon at a time. Due to the variations in almond butter and other ingredients, I have had to add up to 4 tablespoon extra to get a smooth, pliable texture.)
    • Roll dough into heaping 1 tablespoon balls. (It helps to work the dough a bit with your hands before rolling it.)
    • For some extra fun, roll them in any of the optional toppings. (If using mini chocolate chips, gently press them into the dough as you roll them.)
    • These are great chilled or room temperature. (They are softer and most cookie-dough-like at room temp.)
    • Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

    Notes

    Any almond butter will work here, but Justin’s works well and doesn’t have any added sugar.
    Nutrition information below assumes no additional toppings.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Calories: 60kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 112mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 11IU | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg

    *This post contains affiliate links*

    Related

    « Instant Pot Korean Beef and Brown Rice
    Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Lemon Butter Caper Sauce »

    About Jess

    Hi! I'm Jess. I am the recipe creator and photographer behind the 900+ recipes you’ll find on Inquiring Chef. As a mom to three young kids and professional cook, my mission is to make every moment in the kitchen and around the table count. If you’re looking for easy, flavorful, family-approved recipes, you’ve come to the right place! Learn more about me here.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. almonds

      February 21, 2019 at 12:37 pm

      nice and very caranchi chocolate bol look

      Reply
    2. Shannon

      January 28, 2022 at 5:51 pm

      can these be frozen?

      Reply
      • Jess Smith

        January 30, 2022 at 9:22 am

        Yes - they freeze well. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight to bring them back to the really soft texture but they're actually also good straight out of the freezer (especially in summer).

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Welcome! We're Jess and Frank. Since 2010, we have been serving up easy, original recipes here on Inquiring Chef.

    More about us →

    Latest Recipes

    • Cashew Cream Sauce
    • Vegetable and Rice Stuffed Peppers
    • Lasagna Bolognese
    • Falafel Sandwich

    Trending Recipes

    • Crispy and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
    • Honey Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry
    • Mason Jar Overnight Oats
    • Beef and Broccoli Ramen Stir-Fry

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates
    • Follow us on Instagram and Pinterest

    Contact

    • Email Us

    Copyright © 2023 Inquiring Chef