This No Bake Chocolate Hazelnut Energy Bites Recipe is made with oats, hazelnuts, cocoa and sweetened with dates — they are the perfect healthy snack for lunches or school or work! They are so easy to make — includes a step by step recipe video.
I think one of the worst parts of being a food blogger is having to think about back to school in the middle of summer.
And because I’m a little obsessive and like to work ahead (you know, so I can enjoy my summer), I actually start thinking about back to school in Spring!
Since these Lemon Blueberry Energy Bites are the only energy bites recipe on The Recipe Rebel, I decided I needed another! And I know that people are often looking for ways to swap out peanut butter in school snacks for other types of nuts (if they are allowed), so I wanted to come up with a recipe that doesn’t use it as a base.
As much as we all love peanut butter here, my daughter is going into a nut-free Kindergarten room this fall (my first in school!) so I’m going to be thinking a little more about nut-free snacks. These do use hazelnuts, but I know that in a lot of cases it’s strictly peanuts that aren’t allowed, and because they’re so darn delicious, I wanted to share them anyway. We’ll continue to enjoy these at home and throughout the rest of the summer as an on-the-go snack!
Tips and Tricks for this Energy Bites Recipe:
- The hazelnuts I bought didn’t come peeled, so I peeled them using this method by Jamie of My Baking Addiction and it worked perfectly! But please, please — use a really big pot.
- You can definitely swap out the hazelnuts for another nut you have on hand (or one that doesn’t require peeling), but I was going for that “Nutella” vibe, so that’s why I chose hazelnuts.
- Which brings me to my 3rd point — these do not taste like Nutella. Eating one of these is not like eating a big old scoop straight out of the Nutella jar — I wanted them to be a healthy snack, reminiscent of those Nutella flavors 🙂
- Feel free to add in extra nuts, dried fruit, mini chocolate chips or a scoop of protein powder for some extra pizzazz!
- These balls also have 5% of your daily iron, in just one! This is great for someone like me who always tends to be low in iron.
No Bake Chocolate Hazelnut Energy Bites Recipe + VIDEO
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups hazelnuts peeled, divided
- 1 cup pitted dates 26-27 dates
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons liquid honey
- 1 1/2 cups large rolled oats divided
Instructions
- In a food processor, add 1 cup hazelnuts, dates, cocoa powder, honey, and 1 cup oats. Process until a smooth, pliable ball forms.
- Remove ball to a bowl. Chop and stir in remaining ½ cup hazelnuts and ½ cup oats.
- Roll into 1″ balls (I got about 24). Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, in the fridge for 7 days, or freeze for 3-4 months.
Notes
Nutrition Information
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Kay says
I was wondering if you could use something in place of the dates. I really would like to try these.
Ashley Fehr says
You could try leaving them out and adding in a bit more honey, or another dried fruit you think would work well
Awdur says
Are these deglet noor dates or medjool?
Ashley Fehr says
I use medjool
Jess @ Sweetest Menu says
Oh yum! I NEED these in my life! They look and sounds amazing Ashley. I need a few guilt free snacks in my life and anything with hazelnuts has my name on it! Pinned x
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Jess!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
Snacks like this are my favorite! Love the chocolate hazelnut combo of these!
Ashley Fehr says
Me too! Thanks Jessica!
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
I would TOTALLY eat the entire batch of these little energy bites in zero time flat! Loving the combo of chocolate and hazelnuts, Ashley! Kinda like a Nutella truffle. 🙂
Kim says
HI Mrs Fehr! With Joel’s allergy we know all about peanut free baking here. I use WOW Butter, it seems to be the closest to peanut butter substitute I have come across. It has the same color, texture, taste and even comes in chunky. Disclaimer, I have been without peanut butter in my house for almost 20 years so I may be easy to trick!
An added bonus is that they have included peanut free stickers under the label. These would be great for using in school lunches.
I can’t believe you have someone starting school already!
Ashley Fehr says
Oh that’s so good to know! I haven’t tried any other nut butter substitutes but it’s so great that there are other options that are just as good 🙂 It is a little crazy! I’m not sure I’m ready for it 🙁
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
That’s so exciting that your daughter is starting kindergarten this year! And I love that you used hazelnuts in these bites. I love making new flavor combos of energy bites, and this one sounds like a winner. You can’t go wrong with no-bake and chocolate!
Ashley Fehr says
Right?!? And healthy! Lol. For all those hangry children and pregnancy cravings 😉
Ushmana Rai says
Ashley, I really love how you’re trying a healthy substitute for Nutella.
Sure ,Nutella is delicious and sweet but the amount of nutrients in your recipe wins! These chocolate hazelnut energy balls look like little balls of happiness descended from heaven, perfect for when you’re working out and need a quick bite!
Loved the quick and simple recipe! Keep posting! xx
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Ushmana! We definitely enjoy it on occasion but having healthy snacks around is so important!