GF Chocolate Almond Butter Protein Bites
GF Chocolate Almond Butter Protein Bites
What I love about GF Chocolate Almond Butter Protein Bites
The idea of these little protein bites is absolutely revolutionary! Whoever came up with them is a genius. I mean, how many times do we get home from work and just need dinner like RIGHT NOW because we’re so hungry. Well, these protein bites were made for those times! When you just need to grab something quick to curb your appetite while you prepare dinner or running from here to there, these are great to have on hand.
Not only do they solve a problem, they’re delicious! They’re primarily sweetened with dates plus a little maple syrup but have no refined sugar in them! They’re also gluten-free. They’re made with so many nutritious ingredients from chia seeds to protein powder to give your body the boost that it needs … and a few chocolate chunks for fun because why not!
What you will need to make GF Chocolate Almond Butter Protein Bites
Here’s a list of ingredients that you will need:
Dates - You will need 8 pitted dates for this recipe. The dates, once chopped up, act as a glue to hold these protein bites together. They also add some sweetness.
Oats - I like to use sprouted oats when possible for easier digestion and absorption in the gut. I recommend large-flake, rolled or old-fashioned oats for this recipe.
Almond butter - You can use any kind of nut butter here, but I love the combo of almond butter and chocolate. So tasty! I also recommend using a smooth nut butter as opposed to a chunky nut butter.
Protein powder - This recipe calls for unflavoured/plain protein powder. I prefer to add my own sweetness and flavour with real ingredients like maple syrup, dates and vanilla extract. I find the vanilla protein powders can taste a little artificial. If all you have is vanilla protein powder it can work but the protein bites may be quite a bit sweeter. If you are going to use vanilla protein powder, you can omit the vanilla extract.
Maple syrup - I try to use natural sugars whenever I can and maple syrup is the perfect sweetener for these protein bites! And you don’t need much, just 1/4 cup!
Dark chocolate - I recommend using 70% or darker chocolate bar for this. Roughly chop it before adding to the food processor and then the machine will do the rest.
Coconut - Coconut also pairs so deliciously with chocolate! I added it for extra texture and flavour. I recommend using unsweetened, shredded coconut.
Chia seeds - Anytime I am making protein bars or bites I always add chia seeds for fibre, healthy fats and nutrients. They’re considered a superfood eh!
Hemp hearts - I also love to add hemp hearts for protein and other nutrients like omega-3s. Be sure to use hemp hearts, not hemp seeds.
You will also need a few pantry basics:
Pure vanilla extract
Sea salt
Required equipment:
Food processor
Mixing bowl
GF Chocolate Almond Butter Protein Bites
GF Chocolate Almond Butter Protein Bites
Ingredients
- 8 pitted dates
- 1 cup rolled or large-flake oats
- 3/4 cup smooth almond butter
- 1/4 cup real maple syrup
- 1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate
- 1/2 cup unsweetened, shredded coconut
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1 scoop plain/unflavoured protein powder (5 tbsp)
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tbsp hemp hearts
Instructions
- Add the dates to a food processor and pulse a few times until they are broken down into small pieces. Add the oats and pulse again until they're slightly broken down as well.
- Then, add the almond butter, maple syrup, chocolate chunks, shredded coconut, vanilla extract and salt and process on low speed until everything is combined and mixed into one large ball. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the protein powder, chia seeds and hemp hearts to the bowl with the other ingredients and mix with your hands until everything is combined.
- Using a small cookie scoop, make 18 protein balls, squeezing and compressing with your hands to make them firm and compact.
- Store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Enjoy!
