These are little no‑bake energy bites made with just five wholesome ingredients — Medjool dates, almonds, shredded coconut, almond butter, and sea salt. They’re naturally sweet, slightly salty, chewy, and crunchy all at once.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
They require minimal effort and no oven time.
Only five (plus optional) ingredients — simple pantry staples.
No refined sugars — the dates provide the sweetness.
Perfect as a snack, mini dessert, or on‑the‑go energy boost.
Easy to customize with your favorite nuts, seeds, or coatings.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Medjool dates, pitted
Dry roasted unsalted almonds (or your choice of nut, e.g. cashews or peanuts)
Unsweetened shredded coconut
Almond butter (or peanut butter alternative)
Sea salt
Optional: chia seeds, hemp seeds, flax meal
Directions
Soak the dates in a bowl with hot water for a few minutes to soften them. Remove them from the water and pat them dry with a kitchen towel.
In a food processor, pulse ½ cup of almonds (for a smoother texture) or ¾ cup (for more crunch). If you used ¾ cup, set aside about 3 tablespoons of the pulsed almonds.
Add the softened dates, shredded coconut, almond butter, sea salt, and any optional seeds to the food processor. Pulse until the mixture forms a soft, cohesive dough.
If you reserved some pulsed almonds, mix them into the dough by hand for added texture.
Shape the dough into small balls (you’ll get about 12–16 pieces).
Roll each ball in shredded coconut (or another coating of your choice).
Place the balls on a baking sheet or plate and chill in the refrigerator or freezer until firm.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.
Servings and timing
Yield: 14–16 pieces
Prep time: 20 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes
Variations
Use cashew butter or peanut butter instead of almond butter.
Swap almonds for cashews, walnuts, or pecans.
Add a tablespoon of chia seeds, hemp seeds, or flax meal for extra nutrition.
Instead of rolling in coconut, use almond meal, finely chopped nuts, or melted dark chocolate.
Add a pinch of cinnamon or vanilla extract for flavor variation.
Storage/Reheating
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1–2 weeks.
Freeze for up to 2–3 months; thaw in the refrigerator before eating.
No reheating is needed — these are best eaten cold or at room temperature.
FAQs
1. Can I use another variety of dates instead of Medjool?
Yes — you can use other soft, high‑moisture dates. If they’re drier, soak a little longer to soften before processing.
2. What size should the energy bites be?
Make them small (about 1 to 1½ inch in diameter) so they’re easy to eat in one or two bites.
3. Can I omit the coconut if I don’t like it?
You can reduce or skip the shredded coconut; use extra nuts or seeds instead. Just note the texture will change.
4. My mixture is too sticky — what can I do?
Chill the mixture for 10–15 minutes, dust your hands with a little coconut or nut meal, and then roll.
5. Can I roll them in something other than coconut?
Yes — almond meal, crushed nuts, or melted chocolate are good alternatives.
6. Are these vegan and gluten‑free?
Yes — as long as your nut butter and ingredients are free of additives, they are vegan and gluten‑free.
7. What kind of nut butter is best?
Choose a smooth, runny nut butter with minimal added salt or sugar for best blending.
8. Can I make them larger or smaller?
Yes — adjust the size to your preference. Just note that larger ones will take a little longer to firm up in the fridge.
9. Can I add protein powder?
You can add a small amount (½–1 tablespoon) of your favorite protein powder, but it may alter texture and binding — you might need to adjust the nut butter or dates accordingly.
10. How can I tell when they’re set?
They’re firm when they’re no longer sticky to the touch and hold their shape when handled.
Conclusion
These Coconut Almond Energy Bites are a perfect blend of sweet, salty, chewy, and crunchy — all in a tiny bite. With just five simple ingredients and no baking required, they’re an effortless and nutritious snack to enjoy anytime. Customize them how you like, store them easily, and have a healthy treat ready whenever hunger strikes.
These no-bake Coconut Almond Energy Bites are chewy, crunchy, naturally sweetened treats made with just five wholesome ingredients. They’re quick to make, full of flavor, and perfect for an energizing snack or mini dessert.
Ingredients
1 cup Medjool dates, pitted
1/2 to 3/4 cup dry roasted unsalted almonds
1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (plus more for rolling)
2 tablespoons almond butter
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
Optional: 1 tablespoon chia seeds, hemp seeds, or flax meal
Instructions
Soak the pitted dates in hot water for 5 minutes to soften. Drain and pat dry.
In a food processor, pulse 1/2 to 3/4 cup almonds to desired texture. (Reserve 2–3 tablespoons for mix-in if using 3/4 cup.)
Add dates, shredded coconut, almond butter, sea salt, and any optional seeds. Process until a soft, sticky dough forms.
If reserved almonds were set aside, stir them in by hand for added crunch.
Roll mixture into 14–16 small balls, about 1 to 1½ inches in diameter.
Roll each ball in extra shredded coconut or desired coating.
Place on a parchment-lined plate or tray and chill in the fridge or freezer until firm.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge (1–2 weeks) or freezer (2–3 months).
Notes
Use other nuts like cashews or walnuts if desired.
Swap almond butter with cashew or peanut butter.
Coat bites in almond meal, crushed nuts, or melted dark chocolate instead of coconut.
Add cinnamon or vanilla extract for extra flavor.
To reduce stickiness, chill mixture before rolling or dust hands with coconut/nut meal.
