These quick treats are an easy way to keep a healthy snack around when cravings hit. They take only a few minutes to make and can be altered to accommodate your craving.
One of the most difficult obstacles I had to overcome was to find quick, easy, AND tasty replacements for the normal convenient snacks I enjoyed. As I began to change my eating habits to more healthy options, I found that the time consumed often deterred me from making a better choice. I just wanted to eat and not have to wait 15-20 minutes to prepare a snack. And while planning ahead is always a good idea, well...sometimes you just need a quick fix. And if it can satisfy a sweet tooth then it's a win!
The options for variations are only limited by your imagination. They can even become truffles if you would like. They do not have to be refrigerated and are ready to eat immediately.
The base of the bites are nuts and dates. Add more dates, get a stickier result that can be rolled in coconut, hazelnuts, cacao, mini chips, whatever your heart desires. Add less and it can be a crumbly topping for a yogurt, smoothie bowl, warm cereal, whatever your pleasure.
I am going to give you three examples that should help you to be able to translate this recipe into whatever your craving may be!
Java Bites
makes 15-16 1 inch bites
1 cup cashews
7 dates, de-seeded
1 Tablespoon Manuka honey
1 Tablespoon raw cacao
1 scoop collagen powder
2 squirts chocolate stevia
2 Tablespoons organic coffee beans
Put cashews and dates in food processor and pulse till they begin to combine. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend to desired consistency. Ingredients do not have to be fully blended together to form into a ball.
Collagen is excellent for skin and joint health. Organic coffee is a great source of antioxidants as is the cacao.
Manuka honey has a considerably higher level of enzymes than regular honey. However, the price tag can be considerably higher as well. It can frequently be found at discount stores like Marshalls or TJMaxx in the food section for a fraction of the price. However, raw honey is a good choice as well.
Use the winning combination of peanut butter and chocolate to get protein from the peanut butter and protein powder, Vitamin E from the sprouted almonds, fiber from the dates, and antioxidants from the cacao. All with only naturally occurring, low-glycemic sugars!
Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chips
Makes 2 dozen 1 inch bites
1 Cup of sprouted Almonds or Cashews
1/2 cup Peanut Butter
1 scoop protein powder of choice
1 Tablespoon cacao powder
2 - 3 squirts stevia (I used chocolate flavored)
These bites are quite versatile. I simply put the sprouted almonds and dates into the blender and pulsed till they began to combine. Add the rest of the ingredients except chocolate chips and process till fully combined. Add in chips and pulsate till fully dispersed.
Another option is to melt the chocolate chips and instead roll the bites in the chocolate. First roll the peanut butter mixture into balls and put in freezer while chocolate melts. Put a half teaspoon of coconut oil in a pan and add chocolate chips. Melt over lowest heat, then roll the chilled peanut butter balls in the chocolate and place on parchment paper on a tray. Refrigerate till chocolate sets.
Yet another option is to reduce the nuts to 3/4 cup and add in 2 Tablespoons of honey or more dates to get a sticky consistency. You can then form into balls and roll in mini chips.
Looking for an alternative to granola that tends to be high in sugar? This "crumble" can top a variety of foods!
Cinnamon Crumbles
makes 2 cups
1 cup almonds, cashews, walnuts, OR pecans
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 heaping teaspoon cinnamon
optional: cacao nibs, freeze-dried fruit, shredded coconut, etc.
Simply pulse until a nice crumble forms. Easy to add to yogurt, top a smoothie bowl, sprinkle over a bowl of hot cereal, even bake as a streusel on muffins or breads. Let me know how you use it!
I added cacao nibs to the example shown in the photo We ❤ chocolate and this would be delish with freeze dried strawberries or raspberries as well!
Be sure to comment if you try any of these and especially if you try something different!
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