Cranberry Vanilla Energy Bites
on Nov 27, 2015, Updated Aug 01, 2024
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These Cranberry Vanilla Energy Bites are a healthy, gluten-free, vegan and paleo snack that helps curb your sugar cravings!
So did you all get your fill of turkey, mashed potatoes and pie? As always I ate way too much and all I have to say is thank God for stretchy pants! Now that Thanksgiving is over I’m sure many of you, including myself are starting to think about Christmas.
One of my favorite things to give are homemade edible gifts. Cookies, quick breads, candied nuts, I love making them all! Of course the hardest part is not eating them before I give them away.
To help keep my sweet tooth in check yet still fell like I’m treating myself, I’ve been keeping a batch of these Cranberry Vanilla Energy Bites on hand.
Last year around this time I shared a recipe for Cinnamon Apple Energy Bites and you guys must have really liked them because they are still one of my top recipes.
I thought creating a new cranberry vanilla flavor would probably be beneficial for the upcoming month of all things sugar and spice and yeah it’s all nice until you step on the scale in January, am I right?!
Don’t think I won’t be sharing any holiday treats in the weeks to come, because I will, and yes I encourage you to try them all, just remember, moderation. I feel like I have to repeat that to myself on a daily basis as all the Christmas cookies and candies start rolling in.
So, these cranberry vanilla energy bites, I’m seriously crushing on them! They taste like cookie dough, but you won’t find any butter or refined sugars in these little bites.
The only ingredients they contain are cashews, almonds, dried cranberries, dates and vanilla. They are perfect for snacking, refueling after a workout (which we all need after all the cookies), or a healthier dessert option.
Making the energy bites does require a high speed blender or food processor and you will have to work the mixture a bit to get it to for into a ball, but it’s worth it!
If you find that the bites aren’t coming together in the blender add a tablespoon or two of water and continue to work the mixture off the sides and down into the bottom of the blender. You may find it’s easier once the mixture is fairly ground up to scoop it out and work it together with your hands. These little bites are a life saver this time of year!
Cranberry Vanilla Energy Bites
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raw cashews
- 1/2 cup raw almonds
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, unsweetened if you want them to be paleo
- 1/2 cup chopped medjool dates, about 6-7 dates
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- In a high speed blender or food processor add the cashews and almonds and pulse until they are finely ground, careful not to turn them into nut butter.
- Add in the remaining ingredients and blend or pulse until everything starts to come together. Scrape down the sides several times and add up to 2 tablespoons of water. You may need to remove the mixture and place it into a bowl and mash it together with your hands or a spatula.
- Form into approximately 20 balls about 2 teaspoons each. Store the energy bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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This looks amazing!!! Will certainly be trying this out this week! Thank you for sharing.
I don’t know if madjul dates are any different than pitted dates but I used the pitted. I only got 14 one and half teaspoon sized bites. I didn’t have to use any water, they came together really nice in my bullet blender. Very tasty, thanks for the info on these.
My food processor is not electri would this still work?
Hi Magali,
Without an electric food processor they probably won’t turn out. The dates need to be broken down into a paste consistency and the nuts need to be pulverized. I’m afraid it would be very difficult to do without an electric food processor.
I like taking pictures of my food and I was going to stage a few of them yours. I got through one pose and I couldn’t stand it anymore…. I ate my props. These were addicting. I need to buy more dates to make some more!!
Great recipe! I just made a batch and love the clean fresh taste with enough sweetness to feel like you are eating dessert! They are just what I was looking for in a new energy ball recipe. Thank you!
Thank you! I made these today and slightly altered by doing half cranberries and half dried cherries. Super easy and delicious!
Half cranberries and half cherries sound awesome Jill! I’ll have to try that the next time I make them.
Thanks for this recipe. They are easy to make and a great “go to” snack when I’m in a hurry. Looking forward to trying more or your creations.
What can I use in place of dates?
Hi Jennifer,
I would suggest using maple syrup. Start with a couple tablespoons and add more as needed.
You can’t taste the dates at all! Give them a try!
Hi what can I substitute for the cashews as my daughter is allergic to them. Thank you
Hi Carmel,
I think any nut would be ok to use, maybe not peanuts. My first choice would be almonds.
How long will these keep in the fridge? Assuming one manages not to stuff them all in one day?!r
They should be ok in the fridge for a week. I actually prefer to keep mine in the freezer. They’ll keep for a couple months in there.