Chocolate Truffle Energy Bites {Raw, Vegan, Gluten-free}

Chocolate Truffle Energy Bites {Raw, Vegan, Gluten-Free}

Energy bites… healthy chocolate truffles… better-than-Larabars-date-nut-balls… delicious…

It doesn’t really matter what you call them, because these are all of the above, and then some. They’re like candy, if candy were loaded with healthy fats and proteins, and sweetened only by dates, and made you feel AWESOME after you’d had a couple. Or six.

(And I don’t mean the kind of awesome that feels good for a minute, but then feels really, really bad. We’re talking long-term, sustainable awesome, here.)

Chocolate Truffle Energy Bites {Raw, Vegan, Gluten-Free}

Once upon a time, in the long-long ago, I used to be really fit and active. I mean, I’ve always tried to be healthy, but my level of activity has gone steadily downhill in the past couple years. I have plenty of excuses, but honestly, none of them are very good. The fact is, I’ve gotten lazy — plain and simple — and needed a kick in the butt to step up my game again. (Don’t we all, sometimes?)

That kick in the butt can come in many forms. Like, feeling like your arms are going to fall off after just a few push-ups, or trying to button a favorite pair of jeans. Or that awkward moment when your husband goes to pick you up and blurts out, “wow, did you get heavier!?”

Ahem. Maybe you got weaker, Dear. Did you ever think of that?

But I digress.

So, for the past couple weeks I’ve been making an effort to step up my game by being a little more active each day, and eating right. And obviously, the first thing that comes to my mind when I think about eating right are chocolate truffles.

Chocolate Truffle Energy Bites {Raw, Vegan, Gluten-Free}
Chocolate Truffle Energy Bites {Raw, Vegan, Gluten-Free}

Okay, so clearly I don’t mean real chocolate truffles. I’m sorry to say there is no hard chocolate shell or melting river of creamy ganache when you bite into these. You will, however, experience a moment of sweet, cocoa-y bliss, and then proceed to kick the ass of whatever workout or activity you do afterwards.

Back when I ran every day, I’d make energy bites like these to pop just before a run, or to re-fuel after when quick protein and carbs are critical. Even if you aren’t big on working out, though, these make for a great afternoon pick-me-up, or just a healthier alternative to other sweets. (They also go great with coffee or tea, and can fill in for breakfast on busy mornings. You know… not that I condone eating chocolate for breakfast, or anything.)

Chocolate Truffle Energy Bites {Raw, Vegan, Gluten-Free}
Chocolate Truffle Energy Bites {Raw, Vegan, Gluten-Free}

I chose to roll my truffles in a variety of toppings because, hello, colors! But also, flavors. My favorites were the red ones, rolled in crushed, freeze-dried raspberries. I’m normally not a fan of freeze-dried fruits — something about the texture bothers me — but once pulverized into a powder, they turn into pure fruit flavor, in the most gorgeous shades nature has to offer. (Credit where credit is due, I got the idea from this gorgeous blog.)

A close second are the ones dusted in cocoa powder. These were extra dark and dreamy, but might be an acquired taste, as the unsweetened cocoa is a bit bitter when it first hits the tongue. Dark chocolate lovers, I’m looking at you!

Other toppings included shredded coconut, chopped nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, pistachios — these were The Husband’s favorite), hemp seeds, and matcha green tea powder. As much as I love matcha, these were a little too bitter for my taste, but that didn’t stop them from disappearing along with all the rest of the flavors.

Chocolate Truffle Energy Bites {Raw, Vegan, Gluten-Free}

What’s your favorite pre- or post-workout snack? Or, bonus question, what’s your favorite healthy dessert alternative? These have been squashing my chocolate cravings in style for the past week (an area of my life which was previous filled with ice cream). Let me know what you reach for instead in the comments!

 Yum

4.0 from 2 reviews
Chocolate Truffle Energy Bites {Raw, Vegan, Gluten-free}
 
Author:
Recipe type: raw, vegan, gluten-free
Serves: makes 50-60 truffles
Ingredients
  • 2 cups (about 9.5 oz.) dates, pitted and soaked
  • 1 cup (about 5 oz.) raw almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, or walnuts, or a mix, soaked overnight
  • ½ cup (1.5 oz.) shredded unsweetened coconut
  • 2 TBSP coconut oil, melted
  • 3 TBSP (30g.) hemp seeds
  • 1 TBSP (7g.) chia seeds
  • 2-3 TBSP (14-21g.) cocoa powder, or raw cocoa powder, to taste
  • pinch of salt (this helps amp up the flavor, but can be omitted if you wish)
  • Any toppings you like, such as chopped nuts, shredded coconut, cocoa powder, freeze dried raspberries (pulverized into a powder with a spice grinder or mortar and pestle), hemp seeds, etc.
Instructions
  1. Place the nuts in a bowl or glass measuring cup, and cover with cool tap water. Let soak overnight, or for a minimum of one hour before using. In a separate bowl, do the same with the dates. (Soaking the nuts makes them easier to digest, and soaking the dates makes them blend better.) Once soaked, drain the nuts and dates thoroughly before continuing.
  2. Add the nuts to the bowl of your food processor, and blend until finely ground. Then add the dates, coconut, coconut oil, hemp seeds, chia seeds, cocoa powder, and salt if using. Blend well, scraping down the sides as needed, until a thick, sticky dough forms. (Depending on your food processor, you may need to add a small amount of water to help it along, but try not to add any more than is necessary. The longer you blend (and the more powerful your food processor) the smoother the dough will become, and the softer your truffles will be. For firmer truffles, blend just until the mixture holds together when rolled between your palms into a ball. For softer truffles, continue to blend until the dough is very smooth and sticky. If the dough becomes too sticky to roll into balls, place it in the fridge or freezer for a few minutes. Getting your hands slightly damp will help, too.)
  3. Roll the dough mixture into ½-1 TBSP sized balls, and place on a plate or baking sheet. Roll in desired toppings, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to several weeks (possibly longer, though I usually run out by then), or in the freezer indefinitely.
Notes
Because I know you're all going to ask for it, here's some (very approximate) nutritional information. Keep in mind this does not include any toppings you roll your truffles in, and will vary depending on the size you make them:

Per truffle: 44 Cal // 3.5g. Sugar // 1g. Protein // 2.5g. Fat // 1g. Fiber

If you'd like a bigger boost of protein, feel free to add a scoop of your favorite protein powder (preferably chocolate flavored), to the mix.

(Note that while these are made with 100% natural, good-for-you ingredients, they do contain a lot of sugar from the dates. If you are diabetic or trying to avoid sugar, be sure not to binge on these, even though they're healthy. As with any treat, always in moderation!)

 

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19 Responses to Chocolate Truffle Energy Bites {Raw, Vegan, Gluten-free}

  1. Lauren @ Lauren Caris Cooks July 14, 2015 at 4:36 am #

    Oh my goodness these look the BEST! And they are so beautiful!! I really need to get my hands on some matcha green tea powder, I love the flavour so much. Gorgeous as always :)

    • Willow Arlen July 14, 2015 at 11:47 am #

      Thanks, Lauren! Isn’t matcha wonderful? I’m a big fan of drinking it straight or as a latte, but I found the powder to be a little bitter, here — maybe that’s just my personal taste, though. I highly encourage trying out all the flavors to see which ones you like best!

  2. shannon @ a periodic table July 15, 2015 at 10:33 am #

    i need basically all of these energy balls. Seriously when i get home from vacation, i’m making these. Because summer totally wears me out – at least this part of summer, when it’s all hot, and thick, and i tend to just go inert and substitute “workout” with “nap.” :)

    i feel like these have the power to get me going again. Plus, they’re absolutely stunning, and even that sometimes is enough.

    • Willow Arlen July 15, 2015 at 11:37 am #

      I hear ya… we’ve had mercifully cool weather here this summer, but even still, it’s been humid and hard to power through day after day. These have DEFINITELY helped with that. I hope you do make them — they are so easy, and honestly, really fun to make (I felt like an alchemist with all my little bowls of color) — let me know if you do, I’d love to know what you think!

  3. Matt July 20, 2015 at 1:23 pm #

    These look great. Do you know of an alternative to using the nuts for people who have allergies?

    • Willow Arlen July 31, 2015 at 12:35 pm #

      Hi Matt, that’s a great question. Sorry for not getting back to you sooner, I just got back from vacation and am scrambling to catch up on comments!

      I haven’t tried it myself, but I think these would work well with a mix of seeds (pepitas, sunflower seeds, etc.) in place of the nuts. Hope that helps!

  4. Sarah | Well and Full July 20, 2015 at 3:52 pm #

    I love healthy truffles that eat like a dessert. These look amazing! :)

    • Willow Arlen July 31, 2015 at 12:35 pm #

      Thanks, Sarah! These definitely feel like a treat!

  5. ithildancer March 25, 2016 at 12:25 pm #

    This recipe looks delicious! I’ve been looking for different recipes to try out as I sometimes need a little extra energy before/during/after workout or between meals, and I just can’t stand store bought energy/protein bars.

    I was wondering, how do you pulverize the dried raspberries into powder?

    • Willow Arlen March 25, 2016 at 12:55 pm #

      Thank you, I hope you make these! I pulverized the freeze dried raspberries in a spice grinder, but you could also do it in a small blender or food processor, a mortar and pestle, or just by putting them in a plastic baggie and smashing them really thoroughly. Hope that helps!

      • ithildancer March 30, 2016 at 6:26 pm #

        Ah, thank you! I actually stumbled over freeze dried raspberries in the store today (I thought they would be hard to come by here in Oslo), so I’ll definitively be making these someday soon!

  6. Chamila August 2, 2016 at 12:41 am #

    Hi. Are freeze dried raspberries same as frozen raspberries?
    Also once you grind them, when they come to room temperature,don’t they become moist and leave some water out?

    • Willow Arlen August 4, 2016 at 1:31 pm #

      Hi Chamila, thanks for the question! Freeze dried raspberries are not the same as frozen raspberries. If you’ve ever had a breakfast cereal with dry little flakes of strawberries in it (more like the consistency of styrofoam or meringue cookies than actual strawberries) those are freeze-dried berries. They are real fruit, but they’ve had all the moisture removed so they are shelf stable and crunchy. When you grind them up, they become a very fine powder. I hope that helps!

  7. vic October 30, 2018 at 4:01 pm #

    approximately how many grams are all of the balls together after they are made?

    thank you

  8. Jecyl November 30, 2018 at 7:37 pm #

    Those look absolutely stunning! And I adore the matcha one the best. I found that the lower grades matcha are the bitter ones so I try to choose high quality always. Read about matcha grading here, https://blog.piquetea.com/matcha-green-tea/ – It’s my go-to guide.

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

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