Cashew Coconut Power Bites + 2 Easy Variations
Power Bites are a healthy, affordable snack that is an easy to make alternative to store-bought energy bars.
Store bought energy bars certainly have their place. With two growing boys and a busy schedule, I’ve purchased my fair share. But whether you are looking to manage the ingredients or save on costs, sometimes making your own is a good option.
I invented these Power Bites for my book Practically Green: Your Guide to EcoFriendly Decision-Making. This was actually well before the big energy bites craze stared to hit Pinterest. Heck, it was even before Pinterest! Anyway, I think you’ll love them!
These little energy boosting bites come in handy for everything from a mid-morning snack to a pre-workout boost to something to tide us over on a long car ride. The recipe in the book (see excerpt below) has three variations but I bet you could think of a few more.
Power Bites have only 4 ingredients – dates, some type of nuts, either another dried fruit or chocolate, and some type of flavoring or spice. Pretty simple! In this recipe, I used dates, cashews, organic unsweetened coconut and vanilla.
The directions couldn’t be easier. Just blend all ingredients together in a food processor or blender until everything is a small crumb size.
Press the mixture together into 1 inch balls. Then immediately pop one in your mouth for quality control!
Here’s the recipe straight from my book – with three variations. Chocolate Peanut Power Bites are my boys’ favorite! The Cherry Almond ones are crazy good and the Coconut Cashew version (pictured here) are a perfect no-sugar sweet treat!
What would you put in your Power Bites?
I have made energy balls like this but never with dates. Usually my ‘sticky binding thing’ is a nut butter. I have been wanting to try one with dates so thanks for the recipe!
What I love about the dates is that they are naturally sweet – so there’s no need to add any other sweetener!
These look delicious! I’ll admit, I’m super lazy and never cook with nuts 🙁 But I need to start, maybe the summer is a good time. And these seem simple enough. Thanks for sharing!
They are simple – that’s for sure. Hope you love them as much as I do!
I have been looking for a power booster like this. I just need to figure out something other than dates. I can’t eat dried fruit these days.