Coconut Date Energy Bites {Grain Free with Nut Free Options}

We recently welcomed a new baby into our family and he is a delight to us all.

But I had to say goodbye to Chicago style pizza and lots of other foods I enjoy because the baby and I seem to have more food intolerances than ever before. Still, a nursing mom needs to eat a lot! And so I am figuring out what is safe to gobble up when I am starving in the wee morning hours. When I have searched the shelves at the grocery store, there aren’t any granola bars or energy bars that are free from oats, nuts, soy, eggs, and dairy. Thankfully I found a nut-free recipe from Prep Dish and adapted it to my taste and budget.

These energy bites are sweet and hearty, thanks to dates, prunes, sunflower seed butter, and hemp hearts. They have protein and fiber to keep me full for hours. I swapped prunes in for some of the dates, because they cost less and you can’t even tell they are there. If you don’t have prunes, you can use dates and it will give you the same results. This is a very flexible, forgiving recipe that you can customize to your taste and ingredient availability.

I am so thankful to have found an option for a delicious energy boost whenever I need it. Even if you or your family are not dealing with food intolerances, these are just a fantastic healthy snack! Also they’re a great option if you are sending kids to schools that have nut free policies. And if you aren’t avoiding oats, check out my Chai Chokladbollar recipe for another easy no-bake treat. Enjoy!

Coconut Date Energy Bites {Grain Free}

Servings: about 40 one-inch balls
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Ingredients:

7/8 cup sunflower seed butter, creamy
2/3 cup pitted mejool dates
1/3 cup pitted prunes
1/4 cup hemp hearts
1/2 to 1 cup fine shredded coconut, plus more for rolling
1/8 tsp vanilla, orange or almond extract, optional
1/8 tsp or more ground cinnamon, optional
1/8 tsp ground cardamom, optional

Directions:

Into a heavy duty food processor or high power blender (such as a vitamix) add dates, prunes, and sunflower seed butter. Add extracts and spices if using , and pulse to blend ingredients until well combined. Add hemp hearts and 1/2 cup coconut and pulse to combine. If desired, add more coconut until texture is as firm as desired, being careful not to burn out the motor of the food processor.
Take out spoonfuls of the mixture and roll into 1-inch balls. Roll in additional shredded coconut. Place in container or storage bag(s) and refrigerate or freeze until ready to eat. For best results, eat while cold, not at room temperature.