Power Up Your Day with No-Bake Energy Bites! pen_spark
Ingredients:
- 120 g (4 oz) dates
- 50 g (1.8 oz) dried cranberries
- 30 g (1 oz) oatmeal
- 60 g (2 oz) almonds
- 30 g (1 oz) peanuts
- 20 g (0.7 oz) pumpkin seeds
- 15 g (0.5 oz) sesame seeds
- 15 ml (0.5 fl oz) honey
- 130 g (4.6 oz) sugar-free dark chocolate
- 20 ml (0.7 fl oz) olive oil
- 10 g (0.4 oz) pumpkin seeds (for topping)
Instructions:
Prep the Fruit: Soak the dates and dried cranberries in cold water for 15 minutes. This helps remove any preservatives and activates beneficial nutrients.
Make the Base: In a pan, lightly toast the almonds and then grind them into a flour-like consistency using a blender. Remove the pits from the softened dates and add them to the blender with the cranberries. Blend until you have a smooth paste.
Add Crunch and Flavor: Fry the peanuts in a pan until slightly golden. Chop them roughly and add them to the date mixture along with the oatmeal, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, and honey. Mix well to combine.
Shape and Chill: Form the mixture into small balls and place them in a silicone mold. Flatten them slightly to create cookie shapes. Refrigerate for 15 minutes to allow them to set.
Chocolate Dipped Goodness: While the bites chill, melt the sugar-free dark chocolate in a double boiler. Add the olive oil and stir until well combined. Remove the bites from the fridge and dip them one by one into the melted chocolate, coating them completely.
Festive Finish: Top the chocolate-coated bites with a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds for an extra bit of crunch and visual appeal. Place them back in the refrigerator until the chocolate hardens.