Made with dried dates and prunes, caramely pecans, and rich cocoa powder, these Chocolate Pecan Prune Energy Bites can lead to guilt-free indulging!
I recently discovered the jackpot of all jackpots!
Well, my friend actually showed it to me and it would probably only be considered a jackpot for a health food fanatic vegan. BUT, the other day my friend showed me where one of the biggest wet markets I've ever seen is in our city! By wet market we're talking fresh fruit, veggies, tofu, steamed buns, dumplings, grains and legumes, kimchi, flours, and on and on.
You should have seen my face when we walked in to the market from the rainy outdoors. I still can't believe, and am kind of depressed, that I'm just now learning about this amazing place that I plan to go to all the time now.
And you know what the best part is?!? There is a vender there that sells natural tahini. As in she doesn't add any sugar, oil, or any other unnecessary ingredients. PLUS she also sells black tahini! Ah, I'm so happy that I can just by it now for $2 a jar instead of having to put my blender through the works to make it myself at home.
Also, I was stoked to find pickled veggies (A.K.A. a kind of kimchi) that doesn't have any oil. It's just spicy, good for your stomach, fermented yumminess.
Wow. So happy.
Another thing I'm happy about is that I finally took the plunge and tried to make energy bites using dried fruit in my Vitamix...and it worked! It took some trial and error, but the ingredients didn't get jammed and I was able to make these yummy, unique Chocolate Pecan Prune Energy Bites.
Score!
I've been debating on whether or not I need a food processor, but now that I know I can make energy bites in my blender, I think I'm good to hold off on purchasing another kitchen appliance.
I haven't had prunes in ages, but the other day I was taking a break from my language review and watched a video on Youtube where the person made energy bites with pecans and prunes. For some reason I rushed to order some pecans and prunes from iHerb (my current favorite website that actually shipped to China for cheap-0 dollars!) so that I could try making my own variation and these Chocolate Pecan Prune Energy Bites were the final result! They're sweet, chewy, chocolatey, and unique! Plus, the cacao nibs give them the perfect crunch factor.
I hope you can try out these Chocolate Pecan Prune Energy Bites! If you do, let me know your thoughts in the comments below or even better, take a picture and tag #theconscientiouseater on Instagram so I can see your creation!
Chocolate Pecan Prune Energy Bite Photos
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Pecan Prune Energy Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup oats
- 1 cup pecan halves
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder*
- pinch sea salt
- 6 pitted medjool dates
- 1 cup pitted prunes coarsely chopped
- 2 tablespoons cacao nibs**
Instructions
- In a food processor, process the oats, pecans, cocoa powder and sea salt until a course flour forms.
- Add in the pitted medjool dates and the coarsely chopped prunes and process until a sticky dough forms that holds together when pinched between your fingers.
- Pour the dough into a bowl and add in the cacao nibs and use your hands to distribute them evenly throughout the dough.
- Roll the dough into about 14 separate balls and place in an airtight container in the fridge to harden a little.
Ellie says
I have always wondered about using prunes to make raw crusts and balls and bars. This looks absolutely amazing!!! I have a blendtec and have not had success making banana ice cream in it, so I wondered about making energy balls. I know the vitamix and blendtec are similar, so this makes me want to give it a go. I would say that my $15 food processor is my most used appliance though, so I would advocate getting one 😉
Faith says
I had never tried it before either but they worked out great! If you give it a go, what worked for me was actually different than what I expected. I made sure to use sticky dates and prunes and then kept my Vitamix power on low and it caused all the ingredients to just bounce up and down until they were combined. I think if I had put the speed to high and pushed everything down it would have jammed for sure. I hope it works for you!
Natalie | Feasting on Fruit says
You are brave! I overheated my Vitamix twice making energy balls and now I'm too scared to try again???? Yeah so maybe I baby my vitamix a little too much, I know they can do, it it just freaks me out lol. But I love the thought of really only needing one appliance, and I rarely use my food processor otherwise. You've inspired me though, I'll try it again now! And these little balls sound like the perfect test subject! The prune + date combo tastes extra fruity I bet, I love fruity + chocolate 🙂
Faith says
Ah, overheating my Vitamix was one of the scariest things ever, cause I didn't know if I would be able to send it in to be fixed since I live in China. Then I discovered the reset button! For me, I found making the energy bites worked best on a low speed so that the ingredients bounced up and down until they were combined. At first, I started out at a higher speed and stuff would just get stuck in the blades. Just a suggestion!
oscar says
I decided to invest in a food processor. I will get it tomorrow perhaps...
I have one, but it's from the US and I can't use it in Europe without converting the electricity over 🙁
Faith says
Ah, electricity conversions...the bain of my existence!! Hope your new one works like a champ!