These vegan Chocolate Coconut Energy Balls are perfect for a road trip or on the go! They have a touch of salt to balance out the sweet flavor of the dates.
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These Chocolate Coconut Energy Balls are the perfect combination of sweet and salty. I added a pinch of salt because it balanced out the sweet flavor of the dates.
I like to have protein bars and trail mix whenever I travel. I made these energy bites because I was planning vegan food for a road trip that I had just gotten back from.
I am really glad that I had this sweet treat along for the road. If you are vegan (and gluten-free), you know how hard it can be to find good food in the middle of nowhere.
I always bring a bunch of premade food in a cooler to eat, and I bring things to make while camping or staying at a cabin with a kitchen.
I tend to get creative with the vegan breakfast foods that hotels offer. One hotel that I stayed at had oatmeal with a bunch of toppings.
I didn't know if the oatmeal was gluten-free because it could be cross-contaminated with gluten. So, I took the toppings that I liked - dried cranberries, sliced almonds, and pecans.
I then sliced a banana, added the toppings, and covered it with the soy milk that I packed. Trail mix cereal, anyone?
These no-bake energy balls are a great snack to satisfy your sweet tooth when you're craving chocolate.
They make a healthy dessert or after school snack and they're perfect for on the go. There's no need to buy protein bars at the grocery store when it's so easy to make energy bites at home.
Other chocolate almond recipes are my Chocolate Almond Butter, Keto Almond Joy Fat Bombs, and Vegan Chocolate Coffee Creamer. Another recipe to bring on the go is my Copycat Larabars with Dried Cranberries.
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❤️ Why You'll Love Them
- These chocolate energy bites are sweet and chocolaty. They will satisfy your chocolate cravings.
- They are healthy and hearty. They are the perfect snack.
- It's an easy recipe to make with simple ingredients.
🧾 Ingredients
- Dates: I used pitted Medjool dates. Even if you buy pitted dates, check for hard bits. They can be a nuisance in a food processor. You could also use maple syrup or agave syrup.
- Cacao powder (or cocoa powder): Adds a chocolate flavor.
- Raw almonds: Adds a nutty flavor. You could also use pecans, walnuts, raw cashews, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds.
- Shredded coconut: Adds a coconut flavor. You could also use unsweetened coconut flakes.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances flavors.
- Almond extract (optional): Adds a fruity flavor. You could leave it out.
- Salt: Enhances sweetness. I like to use sea salt.
- Water
When I originally published this recipe I rolled these energy bites in a variety of toppings like cacao powder, hemp seeds, and maca powder.
Other toppings to roll them in:
- Cacao powder
- Crushed nuts
- Hemp seeds
- Chia seeds
- Maca powder
- Ground flaxseed or flax seeds
To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
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🔪 Instructions
Step 1: Add almonds to a food processor. Pulse to break the almonds into small pieces. Add dates, cacao powder, coconut oil, shredded coconut, pecans, almond extract, almond meal, and salt.
Step 2: Alternatively, you can add all the ingredients at once, but it will take longer to break down the almonds. Mix until a sticky ball forms.
Step 3: Wet hands. With a tablespoon, scoop out the dough. Roll into balls.
Step 4: Roll in shredded coconut. Place in an airtight container in the fridge.
Other Foods You Can Take On The Go
- Mocha Almond Overnight Oats
- Sriracha Roasted Chickpeas
- Tamari Seaweed Flax Crackers
- Vegan Carrot Cake Energy Bites
- Gluten-Free Homemade Coconut Granola
👩🏻🍳 Recipe FAQs
These healthy chocolate coconut energy balls will last up to 2 weeks in an airtight container in the fridge or a few days at room temperature. I like to pack them in Stasher bags so they are easy to grab and go.
If you want to make extra and freeze them, go for it! They'll last up to 3 months in the freezer.
Other Vegan Energy Ball Recipes
If you tried this Chocolate Coconut Energy Balls Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how you like it in the 💬 comments below. I love hearing from you!
I originally posted this recipe on July 9, 2016. I added new photos and text when I republished it. I also changed the recipe slightly.
📋 Recipe
Chocolate Coconut Energy Balls
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted dates
- ¾ cup shredded coconut divided
- ½ cup raw almonds
- ¼ cup cacao or cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- Pinch salt
- 2-3 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Add almonds to a food processor. Pulse until they are broken down.
- Add the rest of the ingredients, reserving ¼ cup shredded coconut for rolling. Mix until a sticky ball forms.
- Wet hands. Using a tablespoon, scoop the dough out. Roll into balls. Roll in shredded coconut and refrigerate.
Notes
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Nutrition
*Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.
Denise says
My family loves these! We are going on vacation in a couple of weeks and I plan on making a big batch of these! Thanks for the recipe!
Willow Moon says
Thanks Denise!
Anjali @ Vegetarian Gastronomy says
Energy bites are a favorite in our house, especially ones like these filled with all kinds of goodness!
Willow Moon says
Thanks Anjali!
Priya says
Always on the lookout for healthy protein bite size recipes..thanks for sharing this..
Willow Moon says
Thanks Priya!
Lisa says
I love making....and eating these too! Like you, I especially like the chocolate and almond combo...sooooo good! ?
Willow Moon says
Thanks Lisa!
Dahn says
I love love love the combination of chocolate and almonds... this sounds perfect
Willow Moon says
Thanks Dahn!