Chocolate-Orange Energy Bites (Vegan, Paleo, Gluten-free)

Name: Chocolate-Orange Hemp Bites {Vegan, Paleo, Gluten-free}
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: Vegan
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups organic raw almonds; ½ cup organic hemp seeds; ¼ cup unsweetened organic dried coconut flakes or shredded coconut; 1 tablespoon organic extra virgin coconut oil; 2 tablespoons organic cocoa powder; 1 scoop vitamin C powder made from whole foods (optional); 1/8 teaspoon organic orange flavor or zest of one large orange; ½ teaspoon ground organic Ceylon cinnamon; 1 cup pitted organic unsulfured dates

February 14, 2018 / By Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition / 21 Comments

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These Chocolate-Orange Hemp Energy Bites are vegan and paleo-friendly, gluten-free with no added sugars. They can be made quickly for a healthy treat.

This is a post I first shared a few years ago, just after my husband had gotten a bad cold and was finally recovering. Thank goodness we have both avoided the flu so far this year. I hope you and yours are staying healthy.

Sugar is particularly draining on the immune system, but treats were necessary for our emotional health (ha), so I made these easy date-sweetened, raw cookies that have the delicious flavor combination of chocolate and orange, with the optional superfood ingredient of vitamin C powder made from whole foods (the powder is totally optional in this recipe).

You’ll see from the ingredients list below that raw organic almonds and hemp hearts (also called hemp seeds) are at the base of these healthy and delicious cookies:

Organic cocoa powder is a must to flavor these Chocolate Hemp Bites, but the orange part is up to you whether or not to use the flavoring or the real stuff, or both:

Orangey-ness can also come from using fresh zest:

Here’s the printable recipe for these Chocolate-Orange Hemp Energy Bites:

Chocolate-Orange Hemp Bites {Vegan, Paleo, Gluten-free}

★★★★★ 5 from 6 reviews

Author: Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 12
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Bake, food processor
Cuisine: Vegan, paleo, gluten-free, healthy

Print Recipe

Description

Chocolate-Orange Hemp Bites for a delicious, healthy treat.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups organic raw almonds
½ cup organic hemp seeds
¼ cup unsweetened organic dried coconut flakes or shredded coconut
1 tablespoon organic extra virgin coconut oil
2 tablespoons organic cocoa powder
1 scoop vitamin C powder made from whole foods (optional)
1/8 teaspoon organic orange flavor or zest of one large orange
½ teaspoon ground organic Ceylon cinnamon
1 cup pitted organic unsulfured dates

Instructions

Add almonds, hemp seeds, coconut flakes, coconut oil, cocoa powder, vitamin C powder (optional), orange extract or zest, and cinnamon into the bowl of a food processor. Turn on high for about 30 seconds.
Then, with the processor on high, feed the dates one by one into the tube of the food processor, and run for about 2 minutes, or until the ingredients start to form into a ball. Stop and use a spatula to scrape down the sides, if necessary.
Use your hands to form the dough into 12-15 cookies, and refrigerate them until completely chilled before serving.

Notes

These energy bites will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 10-14 days.

Other essential items recommended for this healthy dessert recipe:

Food processor: I use a Breville Sous Chef and highly recommend it!
Microplane for zesting

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