Chocolate cranberry orange energy bites are the perfect mid-morning or post-workout snack. Full of healthy fats and natural sweetness, these will squash your sweet tooth in a healthy way.
Who loves an easy and healthy snack that they can throw together in just a couple of minutes?🙋🙋 Even better when it can be made in just one appliance.
Chocolate cranberry orange energy bites check off all of those boxes: healthy ✔ easy ✔ one appliance ✔
I was really inspired by these no bake energy balls from Claudia Canu that were healthy, bursting with chocolate flavor, and the perfect little Christmas snack.
The simplicity of her ingredients {and one appliance} inspired me to create a healthy chocolate version of my own.
Chocolate cranberry orange energy bite simple ingredients
I love starting out with dates when it comes to creating truffle like energy bites. They add the perfect amount of natural sweetness, and are nice and sticky to help hold things together.
Next, I wanted some healthy fats to make these energy bites perfect for a pre or post workout snack. Cashews and natural peanut butter definitely did the trick! Cashews are high in magnesium, which is great for those who workout. Magnesium is needed to maintain good muscle function.
Of course we need to add in some dried cranberries for these cranberry energy bites. They add a great amount of sweetness that pair so well with the chocolate. When chopped up in the batter, their sweetness is really enhanced.
For the chocolate portion, I added my absolutely favorite chocolate protein powder. It’s so incredible for all of its added nutrients {that I haven’t seen from other protein powders}. Things like moringa, matcha, spinach, kale, spirulina and so many more. Check it out for yourself {it also comes in vegan}!
One appliance for chocolate cranberry orange energy bites
The best part about these chocolate cranberry orange energy bites is that they can be made completely in the food processor.
If your dates are nice and soft {which is the best way to have them}, letting the food processor run on high for 2-3 minutes will break all of the ingredients down. This will help you form them into perfect little energy balls.
Just roll into 16 balls and place in the refrigerator to chill.
Then comes the best part…more chocolate! I only dipped each ball half way into the melted dark chocolate {great for its antioxidant powers}. The balls already have a great chocolate flavor on their own, so I didn’t want to overpower them with too much additional chocolate.
Chocolate cranberry orange energy bites treat
These bites make for an absolutely perfect treat, whether that’s after lunch, before or after a workout, or even simple dessert.
Not only do they make for a great snack for yourself, but they’re beautiful on a cookie tray for Christmas gift giving. Then you can tell all of your friends that they actually have a healthy snack to enjoy!
Looking for more perfect energy bites? Check these out:
Cranberry Pistachio Energy Bites
- ½ cup pitted dates
- ½ cup unsalted whole cashews
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. orange extract
- ¼ cup chocolate protein powder
- ½ cup natural peanut butter
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ⅓ cup dark chocolate chips*
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In the bowl of a food processor, add all ingredients, except the cranberries, and blend until smooth and combined.
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Stir in the dried cranberries.
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Roll into 16 balls and place on a baking sheet and in the refrigerator to chill.
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In a microwave safe bowl, add the chocolate chips and microwave for 15-20 seconds at a time, stirring after each time, until melted.
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Half dip the cranberry orange balls in the melted chocolate and place back on the baking sheet to dry. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
*Note: if making this a dairy free recipe, use dairy free chocolate chips
