Nut-Free Energy Bites

My kids have nut allergies--peanut and tree nuts. I like to have healthier energy snacks on hand for them. You know, the kind that have protein, healthy fat, and complex carbs. But do you know how difficult IT IS to find healthy energy snacks that taste halfway decent, which Don't Have Nuts in them? Truly. Try a search, have a go. I have searched and searched. And searched some more.

The search results are limited at best, and not so tasty (Blah!) So my solution: Create your own! So I did! And honestly, they are darn tasty, if I do say so myself!

Yep, I'm sharing. I hope you enjoy these...sweetened by dates, a little tiny bit of stevia, and if you choose to add sugar-free chocolate chips, well then, there you go!

No-Bake Chocolate Energy Bites

• ½ cup cacoa powder

• 1 ½ Scoops favorite chocolate protein powder

• 2 tablespoons ground flax seed

• 1/4 teaspoon ground sea salt

• 1 ½ cups organic old fashioned oats, gluten free if desired + ¼ cup to stir in and/or roll balls in at the end.

• 1 pound (1 C chopped) medjool dates, seeds removed--make sure the dates are very soft

• 1 TBS unrefined coconut oil, melted

• 2 TBS Chia Seeds

• Stevia to taste

• ½ C Sugar-free semi sweet chocolate chips

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Add cacoa, flax seed, sea salt and oats in food processor or blendtec and process for 20 seconds or so, until blended.

2. Add dates and coconut oil. Process for 2-3 minutes or until mixture is well blended. You may need to stir every minute so ingredients get mixed equally.

3. Test the mixture so it is firm enough to form into balls. If it's not or too dry, add a little more melted coconut oil or 2 or more tsp of water.

4. Form into 1 inch balls. Roll in remaining oats. Put into an airtight container and put in the fridge at least an hour before serving. These balls will last for days in the fridge and make a quick breakfast or snack. They also freeze well.