Healthy Energy Bites with Dates, Apricots, Cashews, & Coconut

These healthy energy bites with dates are a delicious no bake treat! They’re super quick and easy to make with wholesome ingredients including, apricots, cashews, coconut, citrus zest, and spices. Gluten free, paleo, and vegan~they’re perfect for hiking or anytime you need a quick energy boost!

Wanna’ know the inspiration behind these healthy energy bites with dates and other yummy stuff???

Trader Joe’s, of course.

Last week, after our ski trip to Revelstoke, I needed groceries {for my 2 starving teenagers-ha!} so I headed to Trader Joe’s to stock up on bananas, yogurt, eggs, OJ, organic coffee {for me!}, cheese, ready-to-eat salads, and trail mix.

While I was picking out the trail mix, I saw a bag of Cashew Apricot Date & Nut Bites with Coconut & Citrus, and knew I had to try them.

Total impulse buy.

Who can relate???

Anyhoo, I tried them out on my hike to the top of Cowles Mountain, and not only were they absolutely delicious, they also gave me the perfect boost of energy my weary body desperately needed.

Side note: If you’re in San Diego and looking for a relatively quick hike  {~3.6 miles round trip} that will still give you a great workout, you should definitely do the Cowles Mountain hike.

It’s dog friendly {just don’t take your pup when it’s really hot!}. and has some pretty spectacular 360 degree views of San Diego. Here’s a link with more info & directions: Cowles Mountain Trail, San Diego. 

Back to these yummy, healthy energy bites with dates…

After I tried the Trader Joe’s version, I knew I had to experiment with making them at home, and you know what?

It doesn’t happen a lot, but I nailed it on the first try!

This recipe is SO easy…

All you need are cashew nuts, dried apricots, dates, shredded coconut, citrus zest, and spices, along with a food processor, and 10 minutes to spare.

You’ve got this, right?!

I know you do ~ let’s make some healthy {delicious} energy bites!!!

Healthy Energy Bites with Dates, Cashews, Apricots, & Coconut

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Servings: 20 energy bites

AUTHOR :EA Stewart, RD | Registered Dietitian Nutritionist

These healthy energy bites with dates are a delicious no bake treat! They’re super quick and easy to make with wholesome ingredients including, apricots, cashews, coconut, citrus zest, and spices. Gluten free, paleo, and vegan~they’re perfect for hiking or anytime you need a quick energy boost!

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Ingredients

• 2 cups cashew nuts raw, unsalted
• 1 cup dried apricots
• 1/3 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1/4 cup chopped dates
• Zest from 1 orange ~ 1 teaspoon
• Zest from 1 lemon ~ 1 teaspoon
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions

• Combine cashew nuts, apricots, coconut, and dates in a food processor bowl. Pulse ingredients until mixture is crumbly.
• Add citrus zest, spices, and salt to mixture. Pulse ingredients to combine well, and process on high speed until mixture starts to stick together.
• Line a tray with parchment paper. With clean hands, shape mixture into ~ 20 1-inch balls.
• Store in refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Or, store in freezer for up to 3 weeks.

Notes

Recommended products & kitchen tools…

• Zest fresh citrus like a pro with a microplane grater~I use this all the time too add a burst of flavor to foods, without adding a lot of salt/sodium.
• This shredded coconut is a staple at our house. Not only is it perfect in these energy bites, I also love to sprinkle it on yogurt, add it to smoothies, and use it to make the most amazing raw coconut caramel pecan caramel frosting ~ SO good!
• I love these glass storage containers for storing my energy bites, plus, pretty much everything!

COURSE :Dessert, Snack

CUISINE :American, Gluten Free, Mediterranean, Paleo, Vegan

Nutrition

Serving: 1energy bite | Calories: 102kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 17mg | Potassium: 181mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 4.7% | Vitamin C: 0.2% | Calcium: 0.9% | Iron: 6.2%

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Not only are these energy bites a nourishing snack to pack on a hike, they’re also a perfect treat in the afternoon with a cup of tea, or, a light and healthy after dinner dessert.

Bonus! These healthy energy bites are a good source of plant-based iron, magnesium, heart healthy monounsaturated fats, potassium, and vitamin A.

So, what’s stopping you from making a batch, and sharing them with your friends today???

Want more healthy energy bite recipes that are super easy to make? These are a few of my favorites…

CHOCOLATE CHIP NO BAKE ENERGY BITES

NO BAKE COCOA LEMON ENERGY BITES & TRUFFLES

LOW CARB NO-BAKE NUTTY CARAMEL ENERGY BITES

Let’s Chat!

1. Have you tried the Cashew Apricot Date and Nut Bites from Trader Joe’s?
2. What do you like to snack on when you go hiking?
3. Any yummy new finds from Trader Joe’s???

If you enjoyed this post, I’d love for you to share it with your family and friends, and give the recipe 5 stars. Thank YOU so much for your support in helping me spread the word that healthy IS delicious!

EA Stewart

Hi There! I’m EA, an integrative registered dietitian nutritionist in sunny San Diego. I create easy, DELICIOUS gluten free recipes & low FODMAP recipes for a wide variety of diets: anti-inflammatory, low carb, Mediterranean, paleo, vegan, vegetarian, & more. My nutrition specialties include wellness nutrition, digestive health (celiac disease, IBS, IBD, SIBO), autoimmune disease, & optimal aging. Learn more about my nutrition philosophy and my nutrition coaching services, or get in touch~I’d love to connect with you!

Thanks so much for sharing!