Lemon Spice Energy Bites 🍋
Updated: Oct 6, 2022
Looking for a quick 'n' tasty, nutritious, and gut-nourishing snack that's full of protein, healthy carbs, and naturally sweet? Check out these energy bites, my go-to snack! Get creative and tailor these bites to your liking by mixing up the nuts and spices.
Pre-packaged energy bars and granola bars are expensive, and often full of processed sugar and preservatives. That's nuts! 🥜 These fun little bites are packed with energy and nutrients. Nuts contain tons of essential vitamins and minerals, antioxidant, health-friendly monounsaturated fats that help lower LDL or "bad cholesterol" and increase HDL or "good cholesterol" in the blood, and are a rich source of omega-3 essential fatty acids (especially walnuts), which help reduce inflammation. Dates are rich in fiber to support digestion, contain a variety of vitamins and minerals, including iron, potassium, B vitamins, copper, and magnesium, and are rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory. Save money and care for your health by making your own snacks! I like to make a large batch for the week. The full recipe is below.
Lemon Spice Energy Bites
Ingredients
1/2 cup walnuts (raw or roasted)
1/2 cup cashews (raw or roasted)
¼ cup pumpkin seeds or hemp seeds
4 ounces pitted Medjool dates (unsweetened)
¼ shredded coconut flakes (unsweetened)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon extract
1 teaspoon of your favorite spices: cinnamon, allspice, cloves
Pinch of sea salt
Other ideas for add-ins: Nuts: Pistachios, pecans. Cocoa nibs or mini dark chocolate chips, Spices: cardamom, ginger, nutmeg. Extracts like peppermint, orange, and almond. Experiment with different combinations to discover your favorites!
Directions
1. If you bought dates with pits, remove pits and pit tops by cutting open dates.
2. Add nuts in a blender or food processor and blend for a 10 seconds. Add dates, coconut, spices, salt, and extracts and blend until well mixed (about 2 minutes to break down nuts). If dry, add a bit of water.
3. Form into 1-inch balls with your hands and place on a cookie sheet.
4. Let sit in fridge for 30 minutes. Enjoy!
Store in the fridge in a sealed Tupperware container and eat within 1 week, or freeze.
What are your favorite spices to add to these bites? Please share any comments or questions in the comments below! 🙂