Chocolate Almond Coconut Oat Bites

Anything that comes in a mini or baby version always gets that “awe! that’s just so cute!”- factor! Then energy bites  that have taken over pinterest are no different.

I am a huge fan of healthful, energizing, nutritious, satiating snacks, but these little “bites” can be quite high in calories and sugar! –Hence their name: energy = calories– in the nutrition world!

They can be worked into a healthful meal plan, however. You just need to be mindful and have a strategy.

For example, can you stick to just one and have it as a snack or is it more practical for you to have it as a dessert at the end of a light meal?

Either option can work, just remember my little squares below contain 140 calories, 9 grams fat, 14 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams fiber, 6 grams sugar, 4 grams protein.

That’s a decent size snack filled with heart healthy & filling fiber, no added sugar except the naturally-occurring sugars in fruits, and satisfying protein and fat.

Chocolate Almond Coconut Oat Bites

Makes 16-20 servings

Ingredients:

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup almond butter

1 cup old fashioned oats

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

6 dates

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2/3 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

1/2 cup flax seed

1/4 cup chia seed

In a food processor, combine all the ingredients and pulse until well combine. Portion into golfball size and roll into a ball, or spread into an 8×8 baking sheet and cut into squares.

Per serving: 140 calories, 9 grams fat, 2.5 grams saturated fat, 25 milligrams sodium, 14 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams fiber, 6 grams sugar, 4 grams protein

Because of the need to be cautious with some of these recipes you may find, I’ll actually be talking about this very topic this Thursday, February 18th at 6pm at the Whole Foods Market on Magazine Street in New Orleans if you’ll be around and want to join!

Not only will I be making this very recipe for participants to sample, but I’ll also be making my versatile and adaptable black bean and mango salad. Both of these recipes are used with almost fully raw ingredients, can be made gluten free, do not have added sugars or refined grains, and are really well balanced, and probably most importantly- wonderfully delicious!

After all, that’s what I’m here to do- provide you with not only nutritious, but delicious recipes! Healthy eating should never have to compromise flavor!

Happy Monday!

xo,

Becca