Chocolate Espresso Energy Bites (Almond Butter Stuffed!)

Need a delicious and energizing pick-me-up to get you through the afternoon? Look no further than these incredible Chocolate Espresso Almond Butter Stuffed Energy Bites! These no-bake bites are packed with wholesome ingredients like dates, almonds, pecans, cocoa, and espresso powder, with a surprise creamy almond butter center, all finished with a drizzle of dark chocolate. I absolutely love making energy bites like these Chocolate Espresso Energy Bites - they taste incredibly decadent but are actually quite healthy, naturally sweetened, and perfect for satisfying cravings. They are the perfect quick snack or healthy dessert, ideal for beating that mid-afternoon slump, especially on a Monday like today, May 5th!

Why You'll Love These Chocolate Espresso Energy Bites

• Energizing & Delicious: Combines natural energy from dates and nuts with a kick from espresso powder and rich chocolate flavor.
• Healthy & Wholesome: Packed with fiber, healthy fats, and antioxidants. Naturally gluten-free and easily vegan.
• No-Bake & Easy: Simple food processor method - no oven required!
• Decadent Surprise: The creamy almond butter center is an irresistible treat.
• Perfect Portable Snack: Great for on-the-go energy, pre/post workouts, or healthier snacking.

Ingredients for Chocolate Espresso Energy Bites

Here's what you'll need to make these energizing no-bake bites. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

Energy Bite Base

• Medjool dates, packed and pitted (Dried Fruit/Sweetener)
• Almonds (raw) (Nuts)
• Pecans (Nuts)
• Unsweetened cocoa powder* (or Cacao powder) (Flavoring)
• Cinnamon (Spice)
• Espresso powder (Flavoring)
• Vanilla extract (Flavoring)
• Pinch of salt (Seasoning)

Filling & Drizzle

• Almond butter (natural, drippy kind) (Nut Butter)
• Dark chocolate, chopped (or chips) (Chocolate) (Use dairy-free/vegan if needed)
• Coconut oil (Fat)

(Note refers to original recipe suggestion on cocoa type) (Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)

Variations

I love the chocolate-espresso-almond butter combination, but feel free to customize these Energy Bites:

• Different Nuts/Seeds: Use all almonds, all pecans, walnuts, cashews, or add sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds (pepitas).
• Different Nut/Seed Butter Filling: Stuff with peanut butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, or tahini.
• Add Coconut: Mix shredded unsweetened coconut into the base dough or roll the finished balls in coconut.
• Omit Coffee: Leave out the espresso powder for a purely chocolatey flavor.
• Add Protein Powder: Mix in a tablespoon or two of chocolate or vanilla protein powder (you might need a tiny splash of water or oil if the mixture gets too dry).
• Make it Spicy: Add a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper along with the cinnamon.

How to Make Chocolate Espresso Energy Bites

Making these Chocolate Espresso Energy Bites is easy with a food processor:

Make the Base Dough

1. In my food processor, I first pulse the almonds, pecans, cocoa powder, cinnamon, espresso powder, and salt until the nuts are very finely ground, almost like a coarse meal.
2. Next, I add the pitted Medjool dates and the vanilla extract to the food processor.
3. I pulse a few times to break up the dates, then process continuously until the mixture starts to come together into a sticky dough ball. This might take a minute or two depending on the strength of my food processor and the stickiness of my dates. Scrape down the sides if needed.

Stuff with Almond Butter

1. I roll the prepared date and nut dough into 12 equal-sized balls (about 1-1.5 tablespoons each).
2. Working with one ball at a time, I slightly flatten it in the palm of my hand.
3. I place a tiny spoonful (about ¼ - ½ teaspoon) of the natural, drippy almond butter into the center of the flattened dough.
4. Carefully, I fold the dough up and around the almond butter, squeezing it together gently to seal the almond butter inside.
5. I roll the ball gently between my palms again to make it smooth and round. I place the stuffed ball on a plate or baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. I repeat this stuffing process with the remaining 11 dough balls.

Drizzle with Chocolate and Chill

1. Now, I melt the dark chocolate. I place the chopped dark chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl.
2. I microwave it in 30-second increments, stirring well in between each interval, until it's just melted and smooth. Mine usually takes just under a minute and a half total. Be careful not to overheat!
3. I stir the teaspoon of coconut oil into the melted chocolate until smooth. The coconut oil helps make the chocolate smooth and perfect for drizzling, and creates a slightly softer shell.
4. Using a fork or spoon, I drizzle the melted chocolate mixture over the tops of the Chocolate Espresso Energy Bites on the parchment paper.
5. I place the entire sheet into the freezer for about 30 minutes to allow the chocolate drizzle to set quickly and the bites to firm up.

Store and Enjoy!

1. Store in refrigerator or freezer.
2. Enjoy!

Tips and Tricks for the BEST Energy Bites

Here are my secrets for making perfect Chocolate Espresso Energy Bites:

• Use Soft, Pitted Dates: Medjool dates are ideal as they are naturally soft and caramel-like. Ensure all pits are removed! If your dates feel dry, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes and drain well before using.
• Process Nuts First: Grinding the nuts and dry ingredients first ensures a finer texture before the sticky dates are added.
• Don't Overfill: Use only a small amount of almond butter for the filling, otherwise it will be difficult to seal the balls.
• Natural, Drippy Almond Butter: This type works best for the filling consistency. Stir it well if separated.
• Melt Chocolate Gently: Avoid overheating chocolate to prevent seizing. The coconut oil helps create a smooth drizzle.
• Freeze to Set: Freezing briefly helps the chocolate drizzle harden quickly and firms up the bites nicely.

How to Serve

These Chocolate Espresso Almond Butter Stuffed Energy Bites are perfect served chilled! Enjoy them:

• As an Energy Snack: The perfect grab-and-go snack for a mid-day slump or pre-workout fuel.
• Healthy Dessert: A satisfying way to curb sweet cravings with wholesome ingredients.
• With Coffee or Tea: A delicious little treat alongside your favorite beverage.
• Packed Lunches: A nutritious addition to lunchboxes.

Serve straight from the refrigerator or freezer (let thaw just a minute or two if rock solid from freezer).

Make Ahead and Storage

These energy bites are perfect for making ahead!

• Storage: Once the chocolate has set, store the Energy Bites in an airtight container.
  • Refrigerator: They will keep well for up to 2 weeks.
  • Freezer: For longer storage, keep them in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
• Serving: They are delicious straight from the fridge or let them sit for a few minutes if coming from the freezer.

FAQs about Chocolate Espresso Energy Bites

• Can I use different nuts or seeds?
  • Absolutely! Walnuts, cashews, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds can be substituted for the almonds and/or pecans.
• Can I make these nut-free?
  • Yes! Use sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds instead of almonds/pecans in the base. Use sunflower seed butter or tahini for the filling. Ensure your chocolate is nut-free if needed.
• What if my dough is too sticky or too dry?
  • If too sticky to roll, add a tablespoon more of ground nuts/oats (if varying) or cocoa powder, or chill the dough longer. If too dry and crumbly, add another soaked date or a teaspoon of melted coconut oil/water and process again briefly.

Enjoy these delicious, energizing, and surprisingly easy Chocolate Espresso Almond Butter Stuffed Energy Bites! They are a fantastic healthy treat.

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