These Tahini Coconut Energy Protein Bites are the perfect nut-free, on-the-go snack and contains mostly natural sweeteners like dates!
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How to make this recipe
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Using a food processor or blender, mix the dates and water until well combined and creamy.
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Heat tahini, vanilla and maple syrup together in a small saucepan until smooth.
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Add oats, rice cereal, protein powder, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, chocolate chips and coconut to a large bowl.
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Add caramel-tahini mixture to oat mixture and mix until combined well.
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Form into little balls, then refrigerate to cool down.
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Roll balls in unsweetened coconut before serving.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Date caramel (recipe below)
- Maple syrup – instead of maple syrup you can use honey, molasses, or cane sugar. If you use one of these alternatives keep in mind that it will alter the nutritional information.
- Tahini – tahini is a delicious paste made from sesame seed. If you can’t find any, or choose not to use it, you can use a nut butter or seed butter in place of the tahini.
- Rolled oats – steel cut oats, quick oats, or quinoa flakes can be used in place of rolled oats.
- Brown rice cereal
- Vanilla protein powder – feel free to use any protein powder brand that you like. If you have dairy intolerances, use a vegan protein powder in place of a whey protein powder.
- Shredded coconut – sweetened or unsweetened shredded coconut will both work for this recipe.
- Sesame seeds – chia seeds are a protein-packed alternative to sesame seeds. If you’re in a pinch, you can leave out the sesame seeds altogether.
- Sunflower seeds – another seed like pumpkin seeds, pine nuts, hemp seeds or flax seeds in place of sunflower seeds.
- Chocolate chips – you can use semi-sweet or unsweetened chocolate chips or substitute them entirely with cacao nibs or chopped (milk, dark, white) chocolate bar.
Date caramel
- Dates
- Water
Storing these bites
Store these energy bites in a large container in the fridge, they will stay fresh for two weeks. If you want them to last more than two weeks, you can also store the bites in a freezer bag and place them in the freezer! Your protein balls will last for up to three months in the freezer.
Freezing them
Once the protein balls are chilled, they can be stored in the fridge or freezer in either an airtight container or freezer bag. The protein balls can be kept frozen for up to 3 months.
When you're ready to enjoy your frozen energy balls, let them thaw at room temperature for 15-30 minutes. If you're in a rush to leave the house, microwave them for 30 seconds and they will be ready to enjoy!
More healthy snack ideas
- Stuffed Caramel Apples with Chocolate Drizzle
- Easy Garlic Parmesan Popcorn
- Open Faced Naan Samosa Bites
Meal prep tools
- Use these Ziploc bags if you want to store your protein balls in the freezer!
- Here is the protein powder I use
- Grab some glass meal prep bowls to store these protein balls
Tahini Coconut Energy Protein Bites
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup date caramel see recipe below
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 3/4 cup tahini
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup brown rice cereal
- 1 cup vanilla protein powder
- 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
Date caramel
- 1/2 cup dates
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Using a food processor or a Magic Bullet, mix together dates and water until well combined and creamy.
- Microwave or heat tahini, vanilla and maple syrup together in a small saucepan until smooth.
- Add oats, rice cereal, protein powder, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, chocolate chips and coconut to a large bowl.
- Add caramel-tahini mixture to oat mixture and mix until combined well. Form into little balls, then refrigerate for at least 30 min.
- Roll balls in unsweetened coconut before serving (optional) Store in the fridge up to 2 months and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
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Justine | JustineCelina.com says
Taylor, these look awesome and totally up my alley! I’ve been buying the Luna Coconut Cream bars in bulk lately so I can have something on hand for when I’m starving, running around throughout the day like a crazy woman and these look like a perfect homemade alternative. I’ll definitely be giving this one a go! Love the video, too. 🙂
Taylor Stinson says
Thanks so much Justine! 🙂 I seriously am addicted to these, but I’m happy they’re so easy to make. A staple for us business owners over here haha
Amanda Orlando says
Such a cute sweet treat. These are perfect for a party snack or taking on the go. Thanks for sharing!
Taylor Stinson says
Thanks Amanda – yes they would be good for parties actually!
Cathy says
These are so pretty in the different colours! Isn’t it great that they’re good for you, too? Great job on the video, too!
Taylor Stinson says
Thanks so much Cathy! 🙂 I have to admit making them all different colours is a hassle so I settled for just coconut for the remainder of the leftovers. I had to make two batches though because my family kept eating them hehe
Elaine @ Flavour and Savour says
Perfect! While I do bake with sugar at Christmas, I try to keep it to a minimum. It’s great to have some healthier alternatives like this on the cookie tray. And I totally agree–you can never have too much coconut!
Taylor Stinson says
Thanks Elaine – I totally see your point on the sugar thing…I find things wayyyyy too sweet now that I try to keep sugar to a minimum! Even these are borderline too sweet for me and there’s only 2 tbsp maple syrup haha
Brittany at I Love Vegan says
I love that this recipe is nut-free and uses brown rice cereal. I’m going to have to look for some when I’m out shopping next. What brand do you use? These energy bites really would make a great on-the-go breakfast.
Taylor Stinson says
Hey Brittany, thanks so much! I use Nature’s Path 🙂 It’s in the organic section of the grocery store!
Meaghan says
Love, love, love energy bites! Making a batch of these this weekend. Thanks for sharing x
Taylor Stinson says
Thanks so much Meaghan!! Hope they turned out! 🙂
Colleen Milne says
These look so good! More like bakery treats than something so healthy. I’m always trying out new energy bites and this one is a must try. Thanks for sharing.
Taylor Stinson says
Thanks Colleen! OMG energy bites have been my new go-to snack! Love that there are so many different recipes out there. I just made a coconut-chocolate recipe from someone else’s blog today and they were to die for!
Shareba says
I need to carry these around in my purse for days when I don’t have time to eat. They look so good and healthy too!
Taylor Stinson says
Hahahah nothing like purse food right?! I have quite the assortment of protein bars, breath fresheners, gum and snack bags of chips. I might have a problem… LOL
Chelsea @ Chelsea's Healthy Kitchen says
I live on energy balls! I can’t go like 3 hours without eating so I always like to have some on me for snacking. These look great!!
Taylor Stinson says
OMG Chelsea I am exactly the same as you! I literally eat every 2-3 hours or I get so grumpy! Having a fast metabolism kinda sucks doesn’t it?!