If you are familiar with our recipe section, you know that we love energy bites. These simple raw vegan treats are great for cleansers because they provide healthy fats, protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. Enjoy one or two of these as an afternoon snack and you won’t even think about grabbing a coffee or energy drinks. Even though these bites contain dates, the slow release of sugar into your system helps you avoid energy spikes or crashes.
Don’t mind the green color; that’s just the color of pumpkin seeds. These are spirulina- and wheatgrass-free! If you are daring and want a little taste of the ocean or greens, go ahead and add those ingredients. We cannot promise that they will taste great, though. We can promise that snacking on these energy bites will provide you with magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, and potassium, all of which are in pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin seeds are also rich in antioxidants, such as flavonoids and phenolic acids. These antioxidant compounds were associated with an ability to help reduce the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women, according to one study.
Once you blend the pumpkin seeds and dates, form the mixture into bite-size balls with your hands. Place them on a plate or baking tray lined with parchment paper and place them in the freezer. After about 30 minutes, remove them from the freezer and then roll the energy bites in pulsed pumpkin seeds. That is an optional step and you’ll notice that they look like that in the recipe photo.
- Prep Time:15m
- Total Time:15m
- Serves: 16 servings
- Category: Full Body Cleanse Approved, Appetizers & Snacks, Raw, Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Ingredients
- 1 c pumpkin seeds (plus more for optional rolling)
- 1 c dates, pitted
Instructions
- Ideally, soak the pumpkin seeds in water for an hour to make the blending process easier.
- Rinse and drain the seeds before adding them to a food processor with the dates. Pulse until well combined, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed to fully incorporate the ingredients.
- The mixture is done blending when it resembles a dough-like consistency.
- Line a baking sheet or plate with parchment paper to avoid sticking. Form about 14-16 balls with your hands from the blended mixture and place on the parchment paper. Place the bites in the freezer for 30 minutes to harden.
- While the energy bites are hardening in the freezer, you have the option of pulsing some additional pumpkin seeds. Pulse them until they resemble finely chopped nuts, even though they are seeds. Pour the blended seeds on a plate for rolling.
- Remove from the freezer and roll the energy bites in the pulsed seeds, if you want, or simply enjoy them right away. Store leftover energy bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks, or in the freezer for up to two months.
