These almond butter energy bites taste more like a dessert than a healthy protein bite. They are sweet, chewy, tender, and take minutes to throw together. They are also vegan (dairy-free, egg-free), grain-free (gluten-free), soy-free, and refined sugar-free.

Energy bites are really just a variation of energy bars (protein bars, snack bars, nutrition bars… so many names for pretty much the same thing).

What makes energy bites (and energy bars) so great is that they typically contain more protein, vitamins, and minerals than regular granola bars. Energy bars may have 15 to 20 g of protein per bar, whereas granola bars contain approximately 1 g of protein per bar. This is a big deal if you’re trying to refuel after a workout, build muscle, or improve physical performance.

When I buy protein bars in the store, I look for ones with:

• Plant-based sprouted protein blend. Some of the best plant-based protein sources include hemp, pea, brown rice, quinoa, amaranth, pumpkin seeds, and chia seeds. The best type of protein is sprouted because sprouting reduces the amount of carbohydrates, heightens the amount of protein, and increases the nutritional profile, making more nutrients bio-available to the body. A good energy bar should contain at least 15 g of protein per serving.
• Natural sugars. If you read nutrition labels or glance at them occasionally, you may have noticed a couple of new lines appearing on more and more products. Food manufacturers are now required to list “total sugars” and “added sugars” under “total carbohydrate”. Naturally occurring sugars are inherently present in the food. On the other hand, added sugars are the kinds created or put in during the manufacturing process. I always go for energy bars with natural sugars (e.g., from dates or dried apples) or natural extracts (e.g., monk fruit or stevia, which drastically lower the sugar content). 
• Only a handful of (real food) ingredients. The fewer and more wholesome the ingredients, the better. Of course, the only way to control the ingredients is to make your own energy bars or energy bites. 

Tips for Making Almond Butter Energy Bites

Ingredients

Energy bites are one of those recipes that are very customizable. To make these almond butter energy bites, you will need to following ingredients:

• Medjool dates: the majority of energy bites contain dates. Medjool dates are sticky and naturally sweet, acting as a binder and a sweetener. If you don’t have access to Medjool dates, you can substitute them for other dried fruit, such as figs or apricots. Just keep in mind that Medjool dates are fresh fruit. So, depending on the dried fruit you use, you might need to soak it in warm water first, so it softens and blends easily.
• Almonds and almond butter: using both almonds and almond butter in this recipe yields the most textural variety. I like almonds because they have a naturally mild, sweet, nutty taste and pair well with fruit. However, any nuts (and nut butter) work in this recipe.
• Cocoa powder: chocolate and cocoa powder pair well with so many ingredients! One of those is almonds, hence the cocoa powder. If you don’t like chocolate flavor (really?!), you can leave the cocoa powder out.
• Sprouted protein powder (optional): not all energy bites are high in protein. In fact, carbohydrates are the most important source of energy. But if you want to boost the protein content, protein powder is a great way to do that. Alternatively, you could also add hemp seeds or pumpkin seeds.

How to Make Almond Butter Energy Bites

I have made countless energy ball recipes that require just stirring all the ingredients together and rolling them into balls. This recipe requires a few more steps but is still quick and easy.

1. Process the almonds. Add the almonds into a food processor fitted with an S blade and pulse the nuts until crumbly. Be careful not to over-process the almonds; they should retain some texture. 
2. Process the rest of the ingredients. Add the dates, almond butter, cocoa powder, and protein powder into the food processor with the chopped almonds, and pulse until well combined. The mixture should be tender and slightly crumbly at first, but it should be sticky enough to hold together when you press it between your fingers. If the mixture is too dry, pulse it a little bit more or add a tablespoon or so of coconut oil to help bind everything together.
3. Roll the mixture into balls. Using a 2-Tbsp./30-ml cookie scoop or a spoon, scoop out the mixture and gently roll it into balls in between your hands. Place the balls on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. 
4. Chill. Transfer the almond butter energy bites to the fridge and let them chill until firm, for about 20 minutes.

Energy Bites Variations

There are many ways you can customize these energy bites, so feel free to get creative. You can:

• Add mix-ins: I like the simplicity of this recipe, but you can add superfoods, such as chia seeds, hemp seeds, shredded coconut, and cacao nibs, along with ingredients purely for their taste, like mini chocolate chips or dried fruit. Just make sure you maintain the ratios in the original recipe and chop any mix-ins to a small size so that the energy bites still hold together.
• Add spices and extracts: if you’d like to give these energy bites some extra flavor, add in a little bit of cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, or vanilla extract.
• Swap the nuts: use hazelnuts, cashews, pecans, walnuts, or sunflower seeds instead of almonds. The same goes for the almond butter – use any nut/seed butter you prefer. 
• Make energy bars: besides mix-ins, you can press the mixture into a parchment paper-lined 8 x 8 inch/20 x 20 cm baking dish and then cut it into bars (instead of rolling the mixture into energy balls).

More Energy Bites Recipes

I consider myself a bit of an energy ball enthusiast. These sweet treats take minutes to make, are filled with good-for-you ingredients, and make for quick, portable breakfasts and snacks. Here are a couple of recipes you might enjoy:

• Carrot cake energy bites: these raw carrot cake bites taste just like a carrot cake – slightly sweet, cinnamony, moist, and tender.
• Nut-free energy bites: recipe coming soon!

If you try any of these recipes, please, leave a comment and rate the recipe below. It always means a lot when you do.

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Almond Butter Energy Bites

These almond butter energy bites taste more like a dessert than a healthy protein bite. They are sweet, chewy, tender, and take minutes to throw together. They are also vegan (dairy-free, egg-free), grain-free (gluten-free), soy-free, and refined sugar-free.

Prep Time15 mins

Total Time15 mins

Servings: 12 bites

Ingredients

• 1 cup almonds
• 1 1/2 cups Medjool dates , pitted
• 3 Tbsp. cocoa powder
• 2 Tbsp. natural almond butter , smooth
• 1 Tbsp. protein powder (optional)*

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• Process the almond butter bites ingredients. Add the almonds into a food processor fitted with an S blade and pulse the nuts until coarsely ground. Be careful not to over-process the almonds. Add the dates, cocoa powder, almond butter, and protein powder, and pulse a few times until well combined. The mixture should be tender and slightly crumbly at first, but it should be sticky enough to hold together when you press it between your fingers. If the mixture is too dry, pulse it a little bit more or add a tablespoon or so of coconut oil to help bind everything together.
• Roll the mixture into balls. Using a 2-Tbsp./30-ml cookie scoop or a spoon, scoop out the mixture and gently roll it into balls in between your hands. Place the balls on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. 
• Chill. Transfer the almond butter energy bites to the fridge and let them chill until firm, for about 20 minutes.
• Store. Leftover energy bites keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. For longer-term storage, freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Equipment

blender

food processor

measuring cups

measuring spoons

Recipe Notes

*If you add the protein powder, use only ¾ cup of almonds.
**Nutrition information is approximate and may contain errors. Please, feel free to make your own calculations.
**Nutrition information is calculated without optional ingredients.

Nutrition Facts

Almond Butter Energy Bites

Amount Per Serving (1 of 12)

Calories 139 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Fat 8g12%

Carbohydrates 17g6%

Fiber 4g17%

Sugar 11g12%

Protein 6g12%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.