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Almond Joy Energy Bites (Vegan + Paleo)

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 Almond Joy Energy Bites – These chocolate coconut energy bites are made from healthy ingredients but taste like a sweet treat! Healthy meal prep snacks for the win! (Paleo + Vegan)

Front view of almond joy energy bites in a speckled white bowl.

I’m forever on Team Energy Bites. Have you tried them yet?

Energy bites, like these Almond Joy Energy bites, are the PERFECT meal prep snack! These little balls of goodness are usually made from healthy ingredients (though they sometimes stray toward healthy treat territory), and we love making a batch on the weekends to enjoy throughout the week.

Almond Joy Energy Bites channel the chocolate + almond + coconut vibes we love (and miss!) in an Almond Joy candy bar, but they’re made from healthy ingredients we pretty much always keep on hand. We can eat one for snack, add one to a packed lunch when you need a little something extra, or pull out after dinner when a sweet tooth starts calling.

Here’s what you need to get started on these little chocolate coconut energy bites…

Almond Joy Energy Bites in a glass meal prep container close up view of almond joy energy bites in a glass meal prep container

HERE’S WHAT I PUT IN MY ALMOND JOY ENERGY BITES:

MEDJOOL DATES. I use Medjool dates for all my energy bite recipes. They’ve got great flavor and texture, and they’re a good size and price where I live. You *can* use other varieties, just make sure you use the same volume so the proportions are about right.

SLICED ALMONDS. Almond Joy Energy Bites need to get almonds involved, so I like using sliced almonds (they blend easier). Feel free to use other cuts–you may need to blend more.

UNSWEETENED COCONUT. Then, for the coconut element, I use unsweetened shredded coconut. It gives these energy bites GREAT flavor when paired with the almonds, chocolate, and dates.

UNSWEETENED COCOA POWDER. It’s amazing how much chocolate flavor you can pack into energy bites with unsweetened cocoa powder! You can use regular, dark, or Dutch-processed (alkalized) cocoa for these almond joy energy bites. Whatever you prefer!

VANILLA EXTRACT + COCONUT EXTRACT. I love using a mix of vanilla extract and coconut extract in Almond Joy Energy Bites. It adds a feeling of sweetness and really plays up the coconut flavor. Coconut extract tends to be strong, so you only need a little. If you don’t’ have it or don’t want to invest in it, you can sub in almond extract or more vanilla instead.

A PINCH OF SALT. A *leetle* pinch of salt makes a big difference for me in waking up all the other flavors. (Don’t worry, they definitely won’t taste salty!)

OPTIONAL: MINI CHOCOLATE CHIPS. If you want to really take these to the next level, I recommend adding 2-3 Tbsp. of mini chocolate chips. (These ones are vegan + allergy-friendly!). Mini chips distribute better and you only need a few to really make an impact!

Almond Joy Energy Bites stacked up in a speckled white bowl Overhead view of almond joy energy bites in a bowl on a white background

FAQ + TIPS & TRICKS FOR THE BEST ALMOND JOY ENERGY BITES:

MIXTURE NOT COMING TOGETHER? TRY THIS! Depending on how moist (ew, I know, that word’s the worst) your dates are, your mixture may seem a bit dry. If your mixture isn’t coming together, try adding water 1 tsp. at a time until it starts to come together in a ball.

A COOKIE SCOOP MAKES LIFE EASIER! I’ll sing the praises of cookie scoops forever, but a medium cookie scoop will make these energy bites the perfect size easily.

HOW LONG WILL ENERGY BITES STAY FRESH IN THE FRIDGE? Energy bites, like these almond joy energy bites, will keep covered in the refrigerator for about 1 week. I like to keep them in airtight containers like these.

CAN YOU FREEZE ENERGY BITES? You sure can! Energy bites freeze just fine. Put them in a freezer-safe reusable bag or container and freeze up to 1 month. You can thaw them in the refrigerator before enjoying, or pack them frozen in school lunches and they’ll thaw by lunch!

NEED A FOOD PROCESSOR? I LOVE OURS! I didn’t grow up using food processors, so I never knew how versatile they are. WE LOVE OUR FOOD PROCESSOR. I use it for making energy bites, mixing muffin batter or pancake batter, grinding up oat flour, making banana nice cream, and so much more.

Front view of almond joy energy bites in a white speckled bowl. Close front view of almond joy energy bites in a speckled white bowl

CRAVING MORE? YOU MIGHT ALSO LOVE:

HELPFUL FOR MAKING THESE ALMOND JOY ENERGY BITES:

PS – Looking for more yummy snack ideas? Sign up for our FREE 5-Day Snack Camp email series for kid-friendly healthy recipes, tips for cooking with kids, ways to help picky eaters, and more! 

 

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Front view of almond joy energy bites in a speckled white bowl.

Almond Joy Energy Bites


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  • Author: One Lovely Life
  • Total Time: About 25 minutes
  • Yield: About 20 energy bites 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

 Almond Joy Energy Bites – These chocolate coconut energy bites are made from healthy ingredients but taste like a sweet treat! Healthy meal prep snacks for the win! (Paleo + Vegan)


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups pitted Medjool dates (about 16 dates)
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds
  • 1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • 34 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1/8 tsp. coconut extract (can sub almond extract or additional vanilla extract)
  • pinch salt (less than 1/8 tsp.)
  • Optional: 2-3 Tbsp. mini chocolate chips
  • Optional: water for blending

Instructions

  1. Add dates, almonds, coconut, 3 Tbsp. cocoa powder, vanilla and coconut extracts, and salt to a food processor.
  2. Cover and blend until the mixture comes together in a ball. Depending on how fresh your dates are, your mixture may be a bit dry. If it’s not coming together in a ball, add 1 tsp. of water at a time, blending in between additions until the mixture comes together in a ball.
  3. Add chocolate chips, if using, and pulse or fold in with a spatula to incorporate them into the mixture.
  4. Use a cookie scoop or measuring spoon to scoop 1 Tbsp. balls. Roll them between your hands to smooth them out. (If your mixture is sticky, get your fingers *very slightly* damp with a drop or two of water to help them look smooth.)
  5. Repeat until all the mixture has been rolled into energy bites.
  6. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 1 week, or in the freezer about 1 month.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Food Processor
  • Cuisine: American
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