No Bake Coco Nutter Energy Bites are the perfect snack because they are naturally sweetened, packed with protein, and made with only 6 ingredients!
		
		
			
			
		
	
I call this recipe Coco Nutter Energy bites because it features cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and peanut or almond butter.
Coco Nutter Energy Bites are the perfect snack. No baking is required and the bites are naturally sweetened, packed with protein, and ridiculously delicious! Not to mention, the recipe takes less than 10 minutes to make. You pulse the ingredients in a food processor, roll the dough into little balls, and you’re done!
There are 3 reasons why I made this recipe this week:
First, kids are returning to school. Children of all ages need snacks during or after school to help them concentrate on homework.
Second, it’s been scorching hot in Portland. I’m avoiding my oven like the plague.
Third, I want a healthy option when I’m snacky.
		
		
			
			
		
	
THE PERFECT AFTER SCHOOL SNACK
I can’t believe how fast summer flew by. I say that every year, but every year I mean it. Summer is never long enough. My friends are filling my Facebook feed with posts about their kids going back to school. This recipe goes out to those parents who want to give their children a quick and healthy after school snack!
THE WEATHER
My house doesn’t have AC so turning on the oven in 90-degree heat isn’t an option for me. I love no bake recipes in the summertime. The No Bake Coco Nutter Energy Bites come together in under 10 minutes, with no oven required!
HEALTHY SNACK
I made this recipe with 100% natural ingredients. I crave chocolate like a fiend, but I try to avoid sugar or artificial sweeteners when I snack. Made with natural and wholesome ingredients, I can rest easy knowing I’m getting my chocolate fix without the guilt.
		
		
			
			
		
	
Dates are the natural sweetener for this recipe. You’re welcome to add your favorite sweetener but I don’t think you’ll need it. Dates are sweet by nature with a rich, caramel taste. Dates are packed with fiber, iron, protein, and potassium. So even though they have a high natural sugar content, they are much better for you than refined sugar.
When it comes to the peanut butter, you can use whatever nut butter you like best. I tried this recipe with both peanut butter and almond butter. The peanut butter tasted a smidge better in my opinion. I buy all natural peanut butter with no sugar added. The dates make the energy balls sweet enough. However, you can use Jiff or Skippy brand peanut butter if that’s what you prefer.
I don’t mess around when it comes to chocolate. I used 100% natural dark chocolate chips and cocoa powder. The double hit of chocolate made the energy bites extra chocolatey. They helped kill my chocolate craving without the unnecessary sweeteners or artificial flavors. You can use any type of chocolate you prefer, no judgment here! When it comes to chocolate, you do you.
The old fashion oats and chia seeds are icing on the healthier cake. I opted to use oats and chia seeds in this recipe because they are loaded with health benefits too. Chia seeds, in my experience, can be expensive and somewhat hard to find, so omit them if need be.
Overall this recipe is the perfect snack because they are:
- Healthier than store bought energy bars and snacks
 - Quick to make- and let’s face it, we’re all extra busy these days
 - No bake – which is a necessity in hot ass Portland right now
 - Easy to make, this recipe will take you 10 minutes from start to finish
 - Loaded with protein to help provide an energy boost when you need it most
 - A great way to sneak nutrition into your children’s snacks
 
Kieran and I are busy people who love being on the go. We love hiking in the wilderness or taking Homie for long walks. It’s wonderful to eat a delicious snack, made with all natural ingredients, to give us the energy we need to keep going.
If you’re looking for a quick, easy, and healthy snack for your family, these Coco Nutter Energy Bites are for you!
Thanks for stopping by,
Christina
 
    | Prep Time | 10 minutes | 
| Cook Time | 0 | 
| Servings | 
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- 15 dates pitted
 - 1 cup old fashion oats
 - 1/2 tablespoon cocoa powder
 - 3 tablespoons almond or peanut butter I use Adams 100% Natural Peanut Butter and Justin's Almond Butter
 - 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
 - 1 tablespoon chia seeds
 
            
 
 
 
        
    Ingredients
     
                
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- Put the dates into a food processor and give them a whirl. Blend the dates until they are in small bits, almost a paste. Add the remaining ingredients and pulse the food processor until everything is well combined.
 - Wet your hands with water and form mixture into little bite sized balls. The number of balls will depend on how big you make them.
 - Put the balls in the fridge for 15 minutes to allow them to set.
 - Pop a ball in your mouth when you need a boost of energy! You can store the balls in an air tight container in the fridge for about a week, or store them in the freezer
 
If the mixture seems too crumbly and the heat of your hands isn't helping mold the mixture into balls, add a tablespoon of water to the mix.
If your dates are dry, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes, then drain well.
			
			
i seriously need to start adding cocoa powder to my energy bites so that they hit my chocolate cravings!!! plus you can’t go wrong with a cocoa + nut butter combo 🙂 thanks for sharing!!
Guurrrrl, cocoa powder is everything in my world. HA! Thanks for taking the time to comment 🙂