These no-bake date almond energy bites are vegan, gluten-free, and only require 5 ingredients to make! Enjoy them as a tasty snack or delicious dessert.
Don’t get me wrong, I love chocolate. But I often find myself wanting something that isn’t too sweet so I can enjoy it as a snack as well as a dessert.
These date almond energy bites have just the right balance of sweet flavor and crunchy texture! They’re completely vegan, gluten-free, and incredibly delicious.
And did I mention this is a no-bake recipe that only requires 5 ingredients to make? Yep, they’re tasty AND simple.
So whether you want a sweet afternoon pick-me-up or an after-dinner treat, these easy almond and date bites are perfect for any occasion.
How to make date almond energy bites
5 ingredients, 5 steps, and about 15 minutes — that’s all you need to whip up this simple recipe!
Step 1: Add the dates, almond, cinnamon, and salt to your food processor.
Step 2: Process the ingredients for about 20 seconds, scrape down the bowl, then process for an additional 20 seconds or until the mixture forms a thick paste.
Step 3: Finely chop the toasted coconut chips, then transfer to a plate.
Step 4: Use a 1½-inch cookie scoop to form the mixture into balls, then roll each one in the coconut.
Step 5: Repeat until you’ve used all of the date mixture. You should end up with 18 energy bites.
These tasty little treats are ready to enjoy!
Variations for this recipe
One thing I love about this recipe is how easily you can customize the energy bites based on your preferences.
Don’t like coconut? Just leave it out! The bites are still delicious plain.
Don’t have a food processor? Simply chop the dates and almonds as finely as you can, then mix them with the cinnamon and salt to form the dough. The bites will be on the chunkier side, but still super tasty.
Want more of a dessert than an energy bite? Add some sugar-free chocolate chips or a little cocoa powder.
Feel free to have some fun with this recipe!
Storage
These bites are great to make in advance so you can enjoy them throughout the week. I enjoy mine as a post-workout snack or a way to satisfy my sweet tooth after dinner.
Simply store the energy bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh for up to a week.
Other sweet snack recipes
I love making snacks that can double as a guilt-free dessert. It’s perfect for a quick boost of energy that will also satisfy my sweet tooth! Here are a few of my favorite recipes that I know you’ll enjoy:
When you’ve tried this dish, please don’t forget to let me know how you liked it and rate the recipe in the comments below!
Date Almond Energy Bites (Gluten-free)
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups pitted dates
- 2 cups slivered almonds (toasted)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut chips (toasted)
Instructions
- Add the dates, almond, cinnamon, and salt to your food processor.
- Process the ingredients for about 20 seconds, scrape down the bowl, then process for an additional 20 seconds or until the mixture forms a thick paste.
- Finely chop the toasted coconut chips, then transfer to a plate.
- Use a 1½-inch cookie scoop to form the mixture into balls, then roll each one in the coconut.
- Repeat until you’ve used all of the date mixture. You should end up with 18 energy bites.
Sounds delish! But I don’t have a food processor. What might I use in place of one?
I’m pre Type 2 diabetic, so this is all new to me. I’m an avid researcher and determined not to develop diabetes. Thank you for all your great recipes! I’d love them even if I didn’t need to make the dietary changes. Loved the roasted chick peas, btw!
Janine – Good for you for being proactive! Thanks for the kind words about my recipes. If you don’t have a food processor, just chop the dates and almonds as fine as you can with a sharp knife and cutting board. Then mix them with the salt and cinnamon and proceed with the recipe. Your balls will be on the chunky side, but they will still taste great!
Shelby,
Thank you so much for all your inspiration. I was getting frustrated and over whelmed, with what to eat.
I now have some recipe’s to play with.
Try adding carob chips and carob powder to the date mixture.
Lindsay – Thanks for the kind words. Let me know if you come up with any interesting variations. Love the carob idea!