No baking required to make these Gingerbread Energy Bites! These gluten-free, Paleo + vegan energy bites are made with dates, pecans, and gingerbread spices – they’re the perfect healthy snack to fuel your day.
Happy Friday! And, happy December…! When did that happen? I swear this year has gone by in about two blinks. I can’t believe we’re already firmly into holiday season, with cookies and candies and treats abound!
And I’ve got lots of those coming up, but today I’ve got a healthier snack…it still tastes like a treat, though :)
Have you jumped on the energy bite/protein ball craze? The ones made with dates/nuts/seeds/oats/other healthy goodness? I’ve made them before a few times, but none of the recipes have ever made their way on here…until now!
Because I can get down with gingerbread and gingerbread flavored everything, and these taste JUST like gingerbread, but in a chewy, healthy energy ball! Even better? They can be made start to finish in 15 minutes, maybe 10 if you’re quick or skip the chocolate drizzle.
There’s no baking necessary here – all the work is done in your blender or food processor. I used my Vitamix and it mixed everything up in a flash (as it always does). The dates are blended up first into a sticky paste, and then pecans, molasses, salt and spices are added.
That’s all! It’s pulsed together until it comes together in a sticky ball, with bits of pecan pieces. That sticky dough is rolled into balls and if you’d like, drizzled with dark chocolate.
The molasses, along with the cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, make these taste just like the gingerbread cookies we know and love. To be honest, the chocolate drizzle isn’t needed – it just made these look at lot prettier than the round, brown balls they looked like pre-drizzle. You can opt for or against the chocolate drizzle.
These are an irresistible snack to have for breakfast, or as a pre- or post-workout snack, or even as dessert 😍 if you’re a gingerbread fan, you’re going to go nuts for these! Enjoy :)
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Remember to #bakerita if you try the recipe!
Gingerbread Energy Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted dates about 12
- 1 cup toasted pecans
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon cloves
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 oz. dark chocolate to drizzle (optional)
Instructions
- Roughly chop the pitted dates and add them to a high-powered blender or food processor (I used my Vitamix). Blend until they're broken down into small bits or a paste.
- Add the toasted pecans, molasses, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves and pulse until combined. The pecans should be in small bits - be careful not to over-process or the oils will start to separate. If this happens, just dab off the excess oil with a paper towel.
- Roll into 1-inch balls and place on a cookie sheet.
- Finely chop the dark chocolate and melt in the microwave. Place the melted chocolate into a zip bag or piping bag, snip the corner and drizzle over the energy balls. Let chocolate harden in the refrigerator.
- Keep stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator or freezer.
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
December 2, 2016 at 4:46 amI can’t believe it’s already December either, time needs to slow down! These energy bites look delicious, Rachel! I love the gingerbread flavor and the fact that these cuties are no-bake! Sounds perfect to enjoy this season!
Rachel says
December 2, 2016 at 7:20 amIt’s nuts how fast this year has gone by! Thanks so much, Gayle.
Bethany @ Athletic Avocado says
December 2, 2016 at 5:17 amYAYYYYY for the start of gingerbread season! I’m all about the gingerbread craze, give me all things gingerbread flavored and I am a happy camper! These little energy bites look amazing! Like a pre-workout healthy cookie ;)
Rachel says
December 2, 2016 at 7:20 amI love gingerbread so much too, Bethany! Thanks so much girl :)
Amanda says
December 2, 2016 at 1:19 pmWow, 15 minutes! Now that’s the kind of treat I need for the holiday season. And it doesn’t hurt that it’s gingerbread, which is my favorite flavor of the season. Yum!
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
December 2, 2016 at 5:49 pmI am all about energy bites! Especially perfectly festive ones like these!! These are perfect for gift wrapping fuel or last minute shopping stamina. :)
Rachel says
December 4, 2016 at 7:32 amMost definitely! Thanks so much Alyssa.
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says
December 3, 2016 at 5:56 amWOW! These are so perfect! I’m totally down with gingerbread and energy bites and the fact that they are a healthier treat is just a bonus! I’m actually doing some holiday baking this weekend and these need to happen. I often gift baked goods to my mom, mom in law and grandmother every year and these would be a lovely addition! Pinned! Happy weekend :)
Rachel says
December 4, 2016 at 7:32 amThese are so quick to make they’ll be fuel for the rest of your holiday baking! :) Your baking day with your mom, mother in law and grandma sounds like a blast. Thanks so much, Dawn.
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says
December 3, 2016 at 2:42 pmYes! Love these for a quick treat on the go.
Rachel says
December 4, 2016 at 7:33 amThanks so much Nicole!
Bianca T says
December 12, 2016 at 8:22 pmjust made these…I LOVE THEM. thank you!
Rachel says
December 13, 2016 at 6:34 amSo happy to hear that Bianca! Enjoy :)
Kathryn says
December 19, 2016 at 1:19 pmGingerbread is such a favourite of mine, thanks for sharing :)
Kathryn | nimblenote.blogspot.com
Noa says
December 3, 2017 at 10:09 amDO you use freshly ground ginger or dried?
Rachel says
December 4, 2017 at 9:35 amI use dried ground ginger.
Ariel says
December 14, 2017 at 3:40 pmOMG, so easy and so yummy. The taste of gingerbread cookies but without all that refined sugar.
Rachel says
December 14, 2017 at 3:55 pmSo glad you’re loving them Ariel!
Nina says
January 22, 2018 at 12:40 pmDo you think toasted pumpkin or sunflower seeds would work in place of the pecans?
Rachel says
January 22, 2018 at 2:26 pmHmm haven’t tried it so I can’t make any guarantees, but yes I’d think that it would be fine!
Jennifer J says
June 11, 2018 at 3:52 pmWhat can I use instead of dates. They are not allowed on the low fodmaps diet?
Rachel says
June 12, 2018 at 8:42 amDates are the base of this recipe so they can’t be replaced or the recipe would be very different. You could MAYBE try dried figs or something like that but I can make no guarantees that it will work since thats’s not how the recipe was intended to be made.
Marie says
August 9, 2018 at 10:26 pmThese were amazing! I originally made these as a fun snack for my grain sensitive daughter and my lactose intolerant husband as a healthy treat that they could share. I wanted to consume the entire double batch I made as soon as I had finished. I did add a table spoon of raw sugar to my batch to sweeten it to my taste and did not drizzle any chocolate on my goodies.
My 6 yo is addicted to these. She told me today that her friend offered her a sweet treat with grain in it. She explained to the other child that she had these energy balls inside and that they were much healthier than that treat, “They actually give you energy.”
Rachel says
August 10, 2018 at 8:31 amThat is the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard!!! So thrilled they’re a hit with the whole fam, and I have a huge smile on my face from your sweet daughter’s comment :) you’re raising her right! Thanks so much for sharing your feedback with me.
Alice Sales says
December 16, 2018 at 2:44 pmI love this recipe. I made a triple batch for Christmas. I’m a big chocolate fan so I rolled them in dark chocolate.
Rachel says
December 16, 2018 at 5:50 pmSo thrilled you’re loving them, Alice! Love that you gave them a chocolate dip.