Chocolate Coffee Energy Bites
These no-bake chocolate coffee energy bites are easy to make in minutes with just 4 simple ingredients.
If you love coffee and chocolate, you will love these sweet, little treats! They’re perfect for snacking on-the-go, before a workout or for a healthier dessert option.
Features
- Quick and easy recipe: you’ll need just 4 ingredients and 10 minutes to make them.
- Dietary features: vegan, gluten-free, no added sugar and oil-free.
- Travel well: Take them hiking, camping, road tripping or pack them up for lunch.
Ingredient Notes
A complete list of ingredients with amounts and full instructions is located in the printable recipe card below. This section covers ingredient and substitution considerations.
- Dark chocolate – use any dark chocolate or dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Dates – any variety works as long as they’re soft and moist, if your dates are overly dry, soak them in hot water for 15 minutes then drain well before using in the recipe.
- Cashews – use plain, raw cashews with no added oil or salt. You can substitute almonds, walnuts or pecans.
- Coffee beans – the recipe calls for whole coffee beans but you can use ground coffee if that’s all you have – be sure to use decaf beans if you’re sensitive to caffeine or want to enjoy these later in the day!
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1. Place the cashews and coffee beans in a food processor and break down into a coarse, grainy flour. It’s ok if there are some large bits left behind.
Step 2. Add the dates and mix into a thick, sticky dough. You should easily be able to pinch the mixture between your fingers.
Step 3. Add the chocolate chips or dark chocolate and pulse a few times to mix them throughout
Quick Tip: If the dough seems too crumbly, add 1 tsp of warm water and process again. That should do the trick but if not, repeat as needed until you have a rollable dough.
Use your hands to roll the dough into balls. Enjoy for a sweet treat!
FAQs
Nope. Feel free to substitute almonds, pecans, walnuts or any mixture of those.
You can make them with no added sugar by using sugar-free chocolate chips like Lily’s or using cacao nibs.
Storing
- Fridge: In a sealed container for up to 2 weeks.
- Freezer: In a sealed container or freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. They don’t freeze solid so can be enjoyed straight from the freezer.
- Room Temperature: If taking to-go, they’re okay up to a few days (or longer if kept cool). If it’s warm, they’ll get soft so try to keep somewhat cool.
Related Recipes
- Pecan Pie Energy Bites
- No-Bake Double Chocolate Salted Mocha Cookies
- Vegan Coconut Mocha Protein Balls
- Lime & Coconut Energy Bites
- Hazelnut Cacao Energy Balls
Did you try this recipe?
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I’d love to hear about it! Click here to leave a review and be sure to tag me @runningonrealfood if you post it on social media.
No-Bake Chocolate Coffee Energy Bites
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 12
- Category: Snack
- Method: Food Processor
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
You only need four wholesome ingredients to make these healthy, no-bake chocolate coffee energy bites!
Ingredients
- 1 cup (140 g) raw cashews
- 3 tbsp (20 g) coffee beans
- 1 cup (225 g) packed. soft pitted dates
- 1/4 cup (35 g) finely chopped dark chocolate or vegan chocolate chips
Instructions
- Place the cashews and coffee beans in a food processor and break down into a coarse, grainy flour. A few larger bites left behind are ok but it should be fairly fine overall.
- Add the dates and process into a thick, sticky dough. You should easily be able to pinch the mixture between your fingers. If it’s too crumbly (this can happen if your dates were too dry), add 1 tsp warm water and process again. Check to see if you can squeeze the dough together, if not, repeat 1-2 times as needed.
- Add the chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate and pulse a few times to mix throughout.
- Use your hands to roll the dough into 12 balls.
Notes
Be sure to use decaf beans if you’re sensitive to caffeine or plan to consume these later in the day.
The dough can also be pressed into a parchment paper-lined pan and then cut into energy bars if you prefer.
Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freezer for up to 3 months. Okay at room temperature for 1-2 days if taking to-go, longer if kept cool.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 148 calories
- Fat: 7 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Protein: 3 g
Keywords: chocolate coffee energy balls, coffee chip energy balls
I just finished making the Coffee Energy Bites and they turned out as they should! Delicious!! Super easy to follow the instructions. I tripled the recipe and used half cashews and half walnuts. Visually they turned out darker (because of the walnuts) but they tasted amazing. In my freezer now for a quick grab and go! Thank you!
Thanks Yasmeen! Glad you enjoyed them!
The recipe sounds sounds delicious and similar to the ones I have at my gym. However, how many calories are in each energy bite? I realize I could use less chocolate to reduce calories but take a guess as to how many calories in a bite.
Not a bite but a Bite!
It’s just at the bottom of the recipe, 148 calories per bite if you make the recipe as written. Thanks.
Loved these so much! Easy and delicious. Would peanuts work just as well?
Yep! Glad you enjoyed them.
These are absolutely amazingly good! Easy to make and so satisfying. I used a combination of cocoa nibs and dark chocolate chips (trying to cut refined sugar). Next time I will chop the chocolate chips because I skipped that step this time. Can’t wait to make them again! Thanks for sharing.
★★★★★
Could I use Ground coffee instead of coffee beans for this?
Yes! Enjoy!
I soaked my dates in freshly ground coffee 1st for half hour, I also added half almond and half cashews ( as didn’t have enough cashew, I added no shu chocolate chips(no sugar) and they were absolutely amazing.
Great idea to soak the dates in coffee! That sounds amazing. Thanks for the tip and review, glad you enjoyed them!!
This looks delicious. Can I use instant coffee in place of the beans as that’s all I have at the moment. How much would I use ?
I think that would be ok but I can’t guarantee the flavour or texture since I haven’t tried it. I’m not sure exactly how much to use but if you have a scale I’d suggest using the same amount, 20 g, or approx. 3 tbsp. Let me know if you give them a try!
We made these tonight and they’re delicious! The coffee beans add a great crunch. I think I might have processed them a little too long though because they’re very sticky…I think the cashews may have turned into cashew butter.
Love these!
Any nutritional info available for them?
Do you think figs would work in place of the dates?
Hmm, ya I think they would work okay. I’m not sure about fig and coffee together though! I find figs have a much more distinct flavour than dates…Let me know if you try it!
This sounds great..going to #Pin it. Not a big ‘date’ person… going to try dried plums (prunes), I think should work as well… what do you think, Deryn? I use in my morning oatmeal. 🙂
Hi Flo, that should be okay as long as they’re fairly moist. If they’re too dry they won’t hold together. Enjoy!
These are delicious, thank you for sharing! I also added about a tablespoon of chia seeds and a small pinch of salt to get a slight salted choc flavour. Yum!
Great additions! I was thinking about a little salt too, sounds perfect! Thanks for letting me know, glad you enjoyed them 🙂
Wow how did I never think to put coffee in an energy bite?? Seems so logical but never occurred to me! These sounds delicious, like a mocha in energy bite form, what could be better?
They are like mocha in energy bite form! So yummy!! I’ve been obsessed with coffee desserts lately but I love how simple these are to make 🙂
I don’t like dates. Can I substitute something else instead? 😀
Hmmmm, you could try raisins or dried cherries but I can’t guarantee the taste and texture will be the same. Dried cherries might be good! Let me know if you have any other questions!
Can i use almonds instead of cashews? What’s a good substitute for chocolates since I don’t have any on hand.
Rolled oats seem to be a good addition too. Hmm…
You can use almonds…if you don’t have chocolate, just leave it out. You can add some oats if you like, you may need to adjust the other ingredients to get the right consistency though. You can also browse all my energy ball recipes here for ones that use oats or don’t call for chocolate.
Oooh yum! It’s strange that I really don’t like coffee to drink but I love it in desserts! I guess it’s the sweetness. These look amazing.
I love coffee every which way but isn’t it just the best in desserts!? So yummy!
My husband will be ALL.OVER.THIS! He loves Snack Bites – and these would be totally perfect for him to have right before a long run or big workout (he’s at the gym as I type this!). Ahhh … so awesome to kick start the day with a delicious and healthy snack!
They’re awesome pre-workout! I’ve been having one as a pre-6am Crossfit snack everyday!
These are definitely getting made asap. I only have ground coffee beans. Do you think 1 and 1/2 tablespoon would be a good equivalent?
Hmmm, ya I think that would be okay! You could always start with 1 tbsp and add more if you like 🙂
Reporting back: I went with the 1 tbsp of ground coffee and probably could have done more but it still had the flavor and was good for the first try (definitely making these again). I also subbed cacao nibs for the chocolate since I’ve been trying to lower my sugar intake. I halved your recipe and it made 10 balls. Can’t wait to have these as a midmorning pick me up tomorrow! Thanks, Deryn.
Oh, that’s great Katie! I might have to make some for tomorrow too! I think I’ll add a little vanilla and salt to my next batch..mmmm. Enjoy! 🙂
These look awesome! Can’t wait to try them.
These look absolutely amazing! Thanks for sharing, I’ll have to make these ASAP!
Wow, wow, wow! I am beyond excited to try these. Coffee+chocolate? Yes! Pinned.
Absolutely delish! Changed a few simple things. I used Caramel flavored coffee beans (didn’t have regular beans) pre ground them a bit, then added, as I left the texture a little chunky, I also added 2 Tbs. of chia, hemp and flax seeds blend. As it was a little dry to bond everything, I added 1/4 cup virgin coconut oil. I could eat these all day! The Coffee and choc. Blend is amazing Thank you!
★★★★★
So awesome, Carole!! Love your add-ins. It sounds great! Glad you enjoyed the recipe.