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These salted chocolate brownie bites are quick and easy to make and are bursting with rich chocolate flavor.
I’m always a bit skeptical when healthier snacks claim to taste like rich desserts. But in this case, I have to say…these little guys legit taste like brownies! ♡
Barclay and I have been making them for a few weeks now and are totally hooked. The recipe calls for a simple combination of nuts (I prefer a mix of walnuts and almonds), Medjool dates, mini chocolate chips, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Just blend everything up and either roll the mixture into balls or cut into bars. Then these delicious little bites will be ready for enjoying!
They’re naturally gluten-free and easy to make vegan, and perfect for breakfast, dessert, snack time, or anytime you’d like a healthier option for when those chocolate cravings hit. Let’s make a quick batch!
Chocolate Brownie Bites Ingredients
Here are a few brief notes about the ingredients you will need to make this salted chocolate brownie bites recipe:
- Nuts: I love using a combination of raw walnuts and almonds, whose mild and sweet flavors don’t overpower the cocoa and help these bites taste the most “brownie-ish” to me.
- Medjool dates: There are many sweeteners that you can use in energy bites, but likewise, I find that the sweet caramel flavor of Medjool dates tastes the best in these brownie bites and helps the ingredients stick together well.
- Cocoa powder: You will just need basic unsweetened cocoa powder, which will provide the majority of the chocolate flavor in these bites.
- Vanilla extract: I also highly recommend adding in a hint of vanilla extract.
- Sea salt: I’ve written this recipe using fine sea salt, which I always keep stocked in my kitchen and helps to bring out the richness of the chocolate. But if you prefer more of a fun crunch, you’re welcome to sprinkle the tops of the bites with a pinch of flaky sea salt instead of mixing it into the batter.
- Chocolate chips: Finally, I love adding in some mini semisweet chips as well for texture and an extra burst of chocolate.
Recipe Variations
Here are a few different twists that you are welcome to try with this recipe:
- Use different nuts: Feel free to use either all walnuts or all almonds in place of the 50/50 mixture. Or you could also mix cashews, pecans or peanuts into the mix.
- Use different mix-ins: Instead of mini chips, how about mini M&Ms or shredded coconut or toffee chips?
- Make them vegan: Just use your favorite brand of dairy-free mini chocolate chips to make these energy bites vegan.
- Form them into bars: Instead of rolling these into round balls, press the mixture into a parchment-lined bread pan (or another small baking dish). Refrigerate or freeze briefly to help the balls harden slightly. Then slice the mixture into your desired size/shape of bars.
More Energy Bite Recipes
Looking for more energy bite recipes to try? Here are a few of our faves:
Description
These salted chocolate brownie bites are quick and easy to make and are bursting with rich chocolate flavor.
- 1 cup (113 grams) raw walnut halves
- 1/3 cup (50 grams) raw almonds
- 1 cup (190 grams) packed medjool dates, pits removed
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, plus extra for dusting
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
- Chop the nuts. Add the walnuts and almonds to a food processor and pulse until very finely ground.
- Add remaining ingredients. Add the dates, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, sea salt and pulse until evenly combined, pausing to stir the mixture and scrape down the sides of the food processor if needed. Stir in the chocolate chips by hand until evenly combined.
- Roll into balls. Use a spoon to scoop the batter into your desired size of energy bites (mine were about 1.5 tablespoons each) and use your hands to roll them into balls. Place the balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet or plate. Use a fine-mesh strainer to lightly dust the tops of the energy bites with cocoa powder if desired.
- Refrigerate. Refrigerate the energy bites for 30-60 minutes or until slightly hardened.
- Serve. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Storage instructions: These energy bites can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 10 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
