No-bake energy bites

These no-bake energy bites are a great source of instant energy, prepare ahead and refrigerate them. You could have noticed how I go back for colorful energy balls. Somehow managed to get red, green, yellow, black, white, pink, and brown color bites.

These energy bites are so adaptable, that you can substitute any of your favorite dry fruits, nuts, seeds, and nut butter. A healthy snack that can be stored in the refrigerator for two weeks or freeze for two months.

Food for the thought

True silence is the rest of the mind and is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment, and refreshment.

William Penn

Benefits of the ingredients (source)

Dates: Dates are packed with fiber and high in antioxidants which is a natural sweetener too.
Coconut oil: It acts as an antibacterial and antiviral which is a plant derivative form of saturated fat.
Hemp seeds: An excellent superfood that is high in protein and helps to fight high cholesterol and heart diseases.
Pumpkin seeds: They are a rich source of healthy fats, fibers, and various antioxidants that are beneficial for the heart. 
Nuts: Each seed has its own benefits. They have anti-inflammatory properties and rich in antioxidants.
Maple syrup: Is low in Glycemic index.

Video for no-bake energy bites

Variations

Use nut butter in place of dates or cacao butter.
Add extract or spice powder, try any extract that goes with the ingredients for spice powder you can try dry ginger powder, cinnamon powder, ground nutmeg, and ground cardamom.
Shape differently If you are bored shaping into balls, place the nut mixture in the baking tray and shape them into bars or squares.

How to prepare no- bake energy bites?

Any seeds, nuts, sweetener, and a binding agent(dates or cacao butter) to make energy balls. I wanted the different colors of bites in my blog. So carefully picked a different color for each of my posts.

Apricot Bites (Yellow bites) Apricots + cashew nut + coconut + hemp seeds + vanilla extract + maple syrup.
Cacao Bites Dates (Brown bites)+ walnuts + almonds + pumpkin seeds + cacao powder + chocolate extract.
Pitaya Bites (Pink bites) Cacao butter + oats + acai powder + protein powder + pitaya powder + maple syrup.

Can I make it sugar-free?

Yes, you can. If using dates you do not need to add extra sweetener. If using cacao butter I recommend using a tbsp of agave nectar or maple syrup.

My energy bites are not holding?

Your dates may be too dry. If dates are dry, soak them overnight and drain the water. Use as per the recipe instruction. Splash some warm water if you forgot to soak the dates.
If using cacao butter as a binding agent, it may feel that it is not holding shape. It will solidify when cooled. Refrigerate for 30 minutes you can see the shape-holding.

Do we roast the nuts for energy balls?

Yes, I like it better if it is roasted. But you can use it without roasting. I roasted all the seeds, nuts, and oats too.

Tips for making perfect energy balls

• Use Medjools dates, since they are soft and work best in energy balls.
• Add as many as ingredients you like.
• Use oats if you want to avoid nuts.
• The food processor does a wonderful job of making these bites. You can use a high-performance blender too. If using a blender do not grind use only the PULSE option.
• Use your creativeness to build these energy balls by dusting them in coconut flakes or any seeds, Use a cookie cutter to make different shapes.
• These energy balls will be good for one week at room temperature(if not using water). They are freezer friendly too.

I don’t have cacao butter for energy bites?

That is totally fine. You can use dates, apricots, almond butter, peanut butter, or any nut butter as a binding agent.

Check for other color energy balls and bars

• Goji Berry energy balls (Red)
• Coconut energy balls /White)
• Matcha energy balls (Green)
• Sesame balls (Black)
• Rolled nuts
• Caramelized peanut fudge