Who needs candy when you have something as delicious as these chewy, fudgey, and crunchy energy bites? Regular candy packed with sugar gives you a quick rush of energy and then a crash not soon after, leaving you feeling crummy and ready to snack on the next sugary snack, only to repeat the cycle over and over.

A healthy and naturally sweet snack like this packed with fiber will slow down the release of glucose into the blood stream and won’t cause any blood sugar roller coasters! In fact, these will leave you feeling amazing and ready to take on the rest of your day. They’re filled with tons of fiber, nutrients and antioxidants too. WOO. This recipe doesn’t have to be an exact science with ingredients, so  feel free to make substitutes including nuts, flax seeds, raisins, sunflower seeds…

Cocoa Fresh Energy Balls

Yield: about 15 bites

Ingredients:

-3/4 cup of plain oats
-2 tbsp. cocoa powder or 1 tbsp. raw cacao powder
-2 tbsp. chia seeds
-1/4 cup of pumpkin seeds
-about 15 dates
-bowl of warm water (for soaking dates)
-2 heaping tbsp. almond butter

Method:

Soak the dates in warm water for about 10 minutes, and remove pits if they are not already pitted, and set aside. Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl (oats, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, and cocoa powder). Place the dates in a food processor until they become a paste, for about 30 seconds to a minute. Add in the almond butter and process for another 30 seconds or so until smooth. Add the dry ingredients and process until all ingredients are chopped and incorporated into the mixture. Roll into bite sized balls and place on a large sheet pan. Freeze for about 2 hours, until hardened, then put in the refrigerator for about an hour, and they are ready to eat! NOURISH and ENJOY xo