Cherry Garcia Energy Bites
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Inspired by our favorite Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor, these no-bake energy bites are a perfect calorie-dense, grab-and-go snack for your next outdoor adventure.
What’s great about energy bites is they’re nearly impossible to screw up. Since there’s no baking required, you don’t need to worry about bake time and oven temperature. All you need is a small food processor to combine the ingredients. When fresh, they’re soft and chewy. But if you prefer them a little firmer, just place them in a refrigerator for an hour to allow them to set.
Just like granola bars, you can make energy bites in any flavor combination you like.
However, for this particular recipe, we drew some loose inspiration from our favorite Ben & Jerry’s ice cream: Cherry Garcia. Dark chocolate paired with dried cherries makes these bites taste like a real treat!
You can also amp up the nutrition by adding protein powder, like in these chocolate coconut protein balls.
For the binder, we used Medjool dates, which also serve as a natural sweetener and give your body a quick energy source. Hemp seeds and almonds lend some protein, while the coconut flakes introduced a subtle tropical note (try this allergy free protein bar if you need a nut-free snack). All these flavors packed into one delicious burst of energy, you’ll find it hard to have just one!
The recipe provided below makes roughly nine energy balls. Which, with our weak willpower, lasts about a day. Consider doubling the recipe if you want to save a few for later to take on your next adventure.
Ingredients
- ½ cup almonds
- 4 Medjool dates, pitted
- ¼ cup dried cherries
- ¼ cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- 2 tablespoons hulled hemp seeds
- 2 tablespoons chopped dark chocolate, (1/2 oz)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Soak the almonds in water for 20 minutes. If your dates are on the dry side, you may want to soak them for a few minutes as well. Drain and rinse, then add to the bowl of a food processor along with the pitted dates, cherries, coconut, hemp seeds, chocolate, and salt.
- Give the ingredients a whirr in the food processor until the mix becomes a crumbly dough. You may need to scrape down the sides a few times.
- Scoop out enough dough to roll into a 1.5” ball, pressing the mix together between your palms to help it stick together, then rolling into a ball. Repeat with the rest of the dough to make 9 balls.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to eat.
More great hiking snacks
↠ Maple Glazed Trail Mix
↠ Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars
↠ Sweet and Spicy Trail Mix
↠ see all Trail Mix Recipes