Who is ready for a tasty, energizing snack that tastes like dessert? That’s exactly what these chocolate hazelnut energy bites are: a perfectly nutritious treat. The rich, bittersweet, assertive flavor of cacao is the perfect complement to the sweet dates and nutty hazelnuts. For extra creaminess, this recipe calls for raw almond butter, which takes the flavor over the edge.

Before you begin the blending process, it’s important to soak the dates. You don’t have to soak the dates, but it can be beneficial. It all depends on the moisture content and quality. Some dates are very hard and they are tough to blend. Medjool dates, however, are very soft and moist, making the blending process easy and smooth. If you don’t buy Medjool or sayer dates, consider soaking them for about 10-15 minutes.

Similar to almonds, hazelnuts are excellent sources of vitamin E, healthy fats, protein, and dietary fiber. They may improve insulin sensitivity, support heart health, reduce inflammation, and promote regular bowel movements. Health benefits aside, hazelnuts offer a unique flavor profile and are very filling. They blend easily and are great for making energy bites. Their creaminess actually aids the energy ball formation process because everything sticks together incredibly well. Think of hazelnuts like the binder of this recipe, and the dates are the reinforcement.

Pro Tip: When you are ready to form the energy bites, wet your hands with water. This is important if you don’t want the mixture to stick to your hands. Trust us when we tell you that this is a step you don’t want to avoid. Lastly, make sure to line your container or baking sheet (or whatever you put the energy bites on) with parchment paper to avoid sticking.