This summer, I’ve been taking quite a bit of time skimming through all my old blog posts – identifying recipes that need to be re-photographed, posts that need some SEO optimization, etc. The other day I was working on my old dark chocolate cherry brownies post, and that flavor combo totally inspired today’s new recipe! These chocolate cherry energy bites are a new favorite around here.
Side note – if you’re a fellow blogger, isn’t it crazy how much you learn in just a few years?! I’m looking back at these old posts that have no good keyword, crappy cell phone images, short word counts… If only I knew then what I know now about doing this successfully (or at least trying to!) 😉
Anyway – back to these chocolate cherry energy bites. I am obsessed with these as a snack/dessert. One or two of these energy bites is enough to satisfy a sweet treat craving. But it contains healthy ingredients that you can feel good about eating every day!
There are only 5 ingredients in these bad boys. Oats, walnuts, dates, cherries, and dark chocolate. That’s it!
That chocolate and cherry combo is a quintessential summertime pairing to me. Fresh sweet cherries are only in season for such a short time up here that I like to take advantage of them while I can. Our local farm even has cherry picking going on right now. And nothing goes better with them than chocolate.
Using dark chocolate means you give your body a boost of polyphenols – plant-based compounds that have beneficial effects in your body. Research is still relatively new, but there have been positive effects on anything from cardiovascular health to the gut microbiome to inflammation. Yes, dark chocolate is totally good for you to include in your diet. {PS – If you like science, check out this research study for a great review of the data.}
And for my runners and triathletes out there? These are a bomb snack option. They’ve got carbs to fuel your muscles and healthy fats to keep you full longer. I love these for quelling hunger between meals.
If you want, you could even add a protein powder to them to boost the protein content – you’d probably just need a few more cherries to balance out the moisture content so the recipe works.
If you’re a hiker or ultra runner, these types of energy bites could even be used out on the trail or course (depending on your tolerance to real foods and fats, of course). The chocolate in this recipe probably would get a little melty, but you could check out my apple peanut butter energy bites or my Hungarian cookie energy bites for other options.
Lastly – what active mama doesn’t love snacks that the whole family can get into?! My son definitely loves these as much as I do. They’re a great dessert option for him. {Now if only I could get him to hold still and smile for a photo with ’em at the same time, lol.}
Give ‘em a try and let me know what you think!
Made with just 5 nutritious ingredients, chocolate cherry energy bites make a healthy sweet treat snack!
- 1 cup rolled oats (if gluten free, look for certified GF oats)
- 1/2 cup walnuts (whole shelled)
- 1/2 cup dates, pitted and chopped in half
- 1/2 cup cherries, pitted
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips (Enjoy Life brand is dairy free)
Add all ingredients to a food processor. Pulse several times until everything is well combined. Roll mixture into 12 balls and store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to several days.
Nutrition analysis (approximate for 1 energy bite):
120 calories, 5 g fat, 18 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 11 g sugar, 2 grams protein, Vitamin A: 0%, Vitamin C: 1%, Calcium: 2%, Iron: 7%
Abbey Sharp says
July 10, 2017 at 11:28 amChocolate and cherries is a match made in heaven. These look awesome.
Chrissy Carroll says
July 16, 2017 at 4:51 pmRight?! One of the classic summer flavor combos!
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
July 10, 2017 at 12:16 pmAll of my favorite ingredients in one place and super easy too
Chrissy Carroll says
July 16, 2017 at 4:51 pmYes! Hope you get a chance to make them my friend 🙂
Fiona @ Get Fit Fiona says
July 10, 2017 at 5:34 pmThese look like the perfect on the go snack to have ready. And I totally agree with you, the cherry and chocolate combination is always delicious.
Chrissy Carroll says
July 16, 2017 at 4:52 pmThey are definitely perfect for grabbing one out of the fridge quick when you need something to tide you over. I love making a big batch and storing them to snack on over the next few days!
Paul says
July 10, 2017 at 5:51 pmI love all things cherry!
Chrissy Carroll says
July 16, 2017 at 4:52 pmMe too Paul!
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
July 10, 2017 at 7:40 pmMy bestie loves the chocolate + cherry combo so I might have to make these for her the next time she visits! Yum!
Chrissy Carroll says
July 16, 2017 at 4:52 pmYay! I hope you get a chance to surprise her with them!
Mikki says
July 10, 2017 at 10:21 pmThese look so delicious and simple to make.. and your little one is adorable.
Chrissy Carroll says
July 16, 2017 at 4:53 pmThank you for the compliments on the recipe – and my son! 😉
Natalie says
July 11, 2017 at 9:12 amHahah It’s TOTALLY crazy how much we evolve in just one year, I now 😀 I’m in process of going through my old posts and optimizing too. Like, what’s that.. bloggers summer mode?! hahah Anyway, I’m glad you pulled out this chocolate cherry brownies out and did this raw version because I’m absolutely crazy about that cherry-choco combo. These bites are perfect for summer 🙂 Yumm!
Chrissy Carroll says
July 16, 2017 at 4:54 pmYES. I’m looking back at things from two years ago that have no keyword, no good photos, no pin image. I have like 200 posts to optimize, lol.
Ilka says
July 11, 2017 at 7:57 pmEnergy balls ae my favorite snack ever! Made with cherries and chocolate is super yummy!
Chrissy Carroll says
July 16, 2017 at 4:54 pmMe too! I love making all different flavor combos!
Kim Kremer says
July 11, 2017 at 9:53 pmI am constantly amazed at how adorable your kid is. <3
I've read enough to convince me of the physical benefit of eating dark chocolate. I've never needed convincing as to the emotional benefit. My current favorite is Endangered Species 88% – just the right balance of bitter and sweet.
I'm not crazy about fresh cherries. It may be the hangover from eating my weight in them every summer. (We had a massive cherry tree in our back yard. What we didn't throw at each other, we ate.) We have a grafted sweet cherry for The Hubs and a tart cherry for me (some day, I'll have enough cherries to make my own juice; until then, I make pies). This year, we lost ALL of our cherries to Western Cherry Fly. I am a failure as an organic farmer – next year, we bomb the backyard. 😉
Chrissy Carroll says
July 16, 2017 at 4:50 pmAww, thank you! I think he’s adorable too but I’m obviously biased, lol.
I LOVE the endgangered species variety. It’s either them or green and black that has an amazing dark chocolate with espresso chips in it. SOOOO good.
Oh no, sorry to hear about the loss of cherries! I would be so sad!
Christina Bauer says
July 17, 2017 at 3:41 pmI have exactly this many cherries in my fridge right now – these look like the perfect use for them!
Chrissy Carroll says
July 18, 2017 at 7:55 amYay, hope you enjoy the energy bites!