These Quinoa Power Bites, also referred to as “energy bites” and “energy balls”, are vegan energy balls made with quinoa flakes, almond milk, almond butter, chopped almonds and Medjool dates.  They’re super delicious and so quick and easy to make.

These Quinoa Power Bites (also called "energy bites" and "energy balls") are made with quinoa flakes, almond butter, almonds and Medjool dates

The thing that holds these moist, nutty, chocolate energy balls together is the quinoa flakes.   You can find quinoa flakes in the cereal section of your local health food store (where oatmeal, buckwheat, and other hot cereals are located).
These Quinoa Power Bites (also called "energy bites" and "energy balls") are made with quinoa flakes, almond butter, almonds and Medjool dates

What We Love About These Protein Energy Bites

  • Made with healthy ingredients
  • Delicious chocolate flavor 
  • Naturally sweetened with dates
  • They provide a mid-afternoon boost of energy
  • They’re so easy to make

Energy Bites Recipe

This is one of my favorite heart healthy snack recipes to make – for all of the reasons listed above!

  • 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup crunchy almond butter or another nut butter 
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup almond milk
  • 1-1/2 cup quinoa flakes (I use Ancient Harvest Quinoa Flakes)
  • 1/4 cup raw almonds, chopped
  • 1/2 cup almonds, finely blended into crumbs in a food processor

Variations:  You can substitute the almond butter with peanut butter or another nut butter of your choice as well as another nut of your choice instead using chopped almonds.  

How To Make Energy Bites

These date energy balls come together in about 75 minutes start-to-finish.  This includes 15 minutes prep time and 60 minutes for the mixture to chill in the refrigerate before rolling into balls.

  1. In a food processor blend 1/2 cup almonds until finely crushed and powder-like.
  2. Pour into a shallow bowl and set aside.
  3. Wipe the processor clean.
  4. Blend the dates and water in a food processor or blender until smooth and makes a paste.
  5. Transfer the date paste to a medium size saucepan.  Heat over medium-low heat and add the almond butter, salt, cocoa powder and coconut oil.
  6. Stir for a minute or two just until well blended and heated through.  Remove from heat.
  7. Add the vanilla extract and almond milk to the mixture and stir until blended.
  8. Fold in the quinoa flakes and 1/4 cup chopped almonds until completely incorporated.
  9. Refrigerate the mixture for a least an hour until chilled and set before rolling into balls.
  10. Using an 1-inch ice cream scoop, roll into 1-inch balls then roll the balls in the crushed almonds.

These Quinoa Power Bites (also called "energy bites" and "energy balls") are made with quinoa flakes, almond butter, almonds and Medjool dates

Benefits Of Quinoa

Quinoa contains large amounts of flavonoids (plant pigments/antioxidants), including Quercetin.  Quercetin is a potent flavonoid which is found in many plants and foods, such as red wine, onions, green tea, apples and berries.  Quecertin is good for treating high cholesterol, diabetes, cataracts and inflammation.  And…  Quercetin is also used to increase endurance and improve athletic performance.  Quinoa is one of the most protein rich foods we can eat. It’s high in fiber and contains all 9 essential amino acids. Quinoa also contains magnesium, potassium, zinc, iron, and lysine (which is needed for tissue repair).  If you’re wanting to incorporate more quinoa into your diet, I tend to share a lot of  easy quinoa recipes here at The Harvest Kitchen that are tried and true.

These Quinoa Power Bites (also called "energy bites" and "energy balls") are made with quinoa flakes, almond butter, almonds and Medjool dates

More Healthy Snack Recipes

Quinoa balls made of quinoa flakes and almonds
Yield: 16 servings

Quinoa Power Bites

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Additional Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

These Quinoa Power Bites (also called "energy bites" and "energy balls") are made with quinoa flakes, almond butter, almonds and Medjool dates.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/4 cup crunchy almond butter or another nut butter 
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/4 cup cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup almond milk
  • 1-1/2 cup quinoa flakes
  • 1/4 cup raw almonds, chopped

For the Topping

  • 1/2 cup almonds, finely blended into crumbs in a food processor

Instructions

  1. In a food processor blend 1/2 cup almonds until finely crushed and powder-like.
  2. Pour into a shallow bowl and set aside.
  3. Wipe the processor clean.
  4. Blend the dates and water in a food processor or blender until smooth and makes a paste.
  5. Transfer the date paste to a medium size saucepan.  Heat over medium-low heat and add the almond butter, salt, cocoa powder and coconut oil.
  6. Stir for a minute or two just until well blended and heated through.  Remove from heat.
  7. Add the vanilla extract and almond milk to the mixture and stir until blended.
  8. Fold in the quinoa flakes and 1/4 cup chopped almonds until completely incorporated.
  9. Either transfer the mixture to a bowl or leave in the pan and cover.
  10. Refrigerate the mixture for a least an hour until chilled and set before rolling into balls.
  11. Using an 1-inch ice cream scoop, roll into 1-inch balls.
  12. Roll the balls in the crushed almonds until lightly covered all over.
  13. Store in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator.

Notes

Nutritional Source FORBES