No-Bake Coconut Almond Snack Balls!

No-Bake Coconut Almond Snack Balls!

I LOVE me some no-bake treats. Almost instant gratification with these bad boys (minus a little chilling time). These have a natural sweetness with dates, but I do add a little agave to mine to make the dough stay together better. They are truly a healthy treat or midday snack when you need a little pick-me-up. 
Enjoy! 

Makes: 20 snack balls
Time: 5-10 minutes, plus 30 mins to chill dough

Ingredients:
1/2 cup almonds
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup pitted dates
1/2 cup toasted coconut*
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 t. vanilla
2 T. ground flaxseed
2 T. melted coconut oil
3 T. Agave or honey

Directions:
1. Get your food processor and a big mixing bowl ready . Toss almonds and oats in food processor and blend under powdery, then place in mixing bowl. 
2. Add dates and just a tiny bit of water (a teaspoon-ish) to food processor and blend until dates are fully combined and mushed together. Then, add to mixing bowl.
3. Add remaining ingredients to mixing bowl and stir, stir, stir until everything is combined.
4. Let chill in freezer for up to 30 minutes to allow dough to harden (makes it MUCH easier to roll into balls).
5. Once chilled, scoop spoonfuls and roll into balls...then enjoy your healthy snack!

*To toast shredded or powdered coconut, preheat oven to 300F, spread coconut evenly on baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes. Take out and use a spatula to mix the coconut around. Bake for 3-4 minutes longer, checking frequently to make sure it doesn't get too brown! Let cool.

YUM! 

Almond Date Bars

Almond Date Bars

Hi bakers! 

If you’ve never considered yourself a “date” person or even tried them before, I’m telling you, get on board! They are oh-so sweet and add a fantastic texture to dessert bars, cookies, etc, PLUS they are good for you…what?! 

These bars take a little work with your food processor, but you don’t have to bake them, which is the best part! Quick, delicious, protein-packed with almonds and almond butter, and curbs your sour-patch kid sugar craving with rich, dark chocolate drizzled on top.

Ingredients:

Crust

1 cup raw almonds

1 cup pitted soft dates

dash of sea salt

2 T. almond butter 

1 t. vanilla

2-4 T. water (to make dough less crumbly)

On top

1 cup dark chocolate

2 T. coconut oil

1 T. almond butter

Now, to make it:

1. Toss almonds into food processor and pulse until fine. Then add in dates, salt, almond butter, vanilla (If too crumbly, add in 1 tablespoon of water at a time).
2. Press almond/date dough into bottom of 8x8 pan. 
3. Melt on stove, coconut oil and chocolate, stirring constantly until fully melted. 
4. Pour evenly on top of dough.
5. Let harden in freezer for an hour or so before cutting into your bars. 
6. ENJOY!