DATE & ORANGE ZEST ENERGY BITES
Serves: Makes 20 balls
 
INGREDIENTS
  • 1 and ½ cups pitted Medjool dates
  • ⅔ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • ⅓ cup chopped dark chocolate
  • ⅓ cup pistachios, roughly chopped
  • ½ cup almonds, roughly chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • A teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • ½ teaspoon orange zest
  • Cacao powder, to roll the balls in (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. Add the pitted dates to a food processor or high-speed blender and process for a few minutes, until it comes together in a ball with a dough-like consistency.
  2. Add the rolled oats, dark chocolate, pistachios, almonds, chia seeds, vanilla extract, coconut oil, and orange zest to the dates and process again, for 3-5 minutes until you have a sticky mixture. You might need to check on it in the middle to scrape the sides.
  3. Remove the mixture on to a tray. Lightly knead it to ensure it is well combined.
  4. Use a tablespoon sized scoop and gently roll the mixture in your palms to form into balls. Roll them in cacao powder if desired.
  5. Pop them in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before you eat! You can store them in an airtight container in the fridge upto a week or 10 days.
*Note:
*I used 50% dark chocolate for this, but you can substitute it for any dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or choco chips.

*Cacao powder is unsweetened, raw cocoa powder. You can very well substitute it for regular cocoa powder or skip it altogether.
Recipe by Sprig & Vine at http://sprigandvine.in/date-orange-zest-energy-bites/