No-Bake Chocolate Coffee Energy Bites
on Feb 18, 2014, Updated Feb 21, 2025
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These no-bake chocolate coffee energy bites are easy to make in minutes with just 4 ingredients.
About the Recipe
If you love coffee and chocolate, you will love these little treats! They’re perfect for snacking on-the-go, before a workout or for dessert. Here are a few reasons to love this recipe:
- Vegan and gluten-free.
- No added sugar or oil.
- Easy to make in 10 minutes.
- 4 simple ingredients.
- Great for travel, hiking, camping, road trips and lunch boxes.
- Freeze well.
If you love trying easy no-bake recipes like this, we love these no-bake banana bread bites and no-bake pecan pie balls too. You can also try this flavour combo in these Coffee Energy Bars and Coconut Coffee Protein Balls.
Ingredient Notes
This list is not complete. Please see the recipe card at the end of the post for the complete ingredient list with measurements and detailed instructions.
- 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!
How to Make Coffee Energy Bites
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.
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.
More Recipes to Try!
Energy Balls
No-Bake Cashew Coconut Balls
Energy Balls
No-Bake Cinnamon Energy Balls
Energy Balls
No-Bake Pecan Pie Balls
Energy Balls
No-Bake Banana Bread Balls
No-Bake Chocolate Coffee Energy Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews, 140 g
- 3 tbsp coffee beans, 20 g
- 1 cup packed. soft pitted dates, 225 g
- 1/4 cup finely chopped dark chocolate or vegan chocolate chips, 35 g
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.1 cup raw cashews, 3 tbsp coffee beans
- 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.1 cup packed. soft pitted dates
- Add the chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate and pulse a few times to mix throughout.1/4 cup finely chopped dark chocolate or vegan chocolate chips
- Use your hands to roll the dough into 12 balls.
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.