Healthy Gingerbread Energy Bites

These Healthy Gingerbread Energy Bites are a vegan and gluten-free holiday snack you can feel GOOD about! They also make an amazing homemade gift that is easy and cheap to make. Kids love these too. 

These Healthy Gingerbread Energy Bites are the holiday snack 2020!

I know it's hard to be good to your body at this time of year - especially with how extra 2020 has been - and even when you stay strong and resist that triple-fudge slice of heaven, you end up feeling like a total scrooge while everyone around you just... frolicks. Read on, you poor soul - for some guilt-free holiday snack time!

You know what? I'm feeling snacky today; are you feeling a little snacky? Just a little bit snacky; you see - the most adorable little mini-snackies just popped up on my Pinterest feed and - ARGH, why is everything so snacky!?!?

I swear: December exists for the sole purpose of waving delicious temptation in front of my face. I feel like the only way to not be inundated with gingerbread, indulgent cakes and holiday cookies right now is to set all your devices on fire and move into the zombie bunker that your creepy neighbor insisted on building this year.

I just can't take it anymore! But wait, what's that you say? Healthy little snacks that will satisfy my December cravings without stressing my waistline or my blood-sugar? Tell me more!

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Internet, I give you: Healthy Gingerbread Energy Bites! These delightful little fellows are going to be both the angel and the devil on your shoulders this holiday season. They're perfectly addictive, packed full of holiday spice, and naturally sweetened - no added sugars at all.

The key to this energy balls recipe is the dates. Dates provide an easy-to-work-with base and an excellent vehicle for both the chocolate and the spice mixture we're going to throw in. They also provide all the sweetness you could ask for so we're not having to put any extra sugars or sweeteners in there.

And they don't have to be expensive! Just about any supermarket will have some no-name dried, pitted dates in the baking section, or some fancier Medjool ones near the produce aisle or bulk bins.

This Healthy Gingerbread Energy Bites recipe is super-quick to throw together and requires no baking - just chilling. What could be easier? You can keep these out on the counter for up to three days (if they last that long) or keep them chilled in the fridge for up to a week.

How to make Gingerbread Energy Bites:

Step 1 & 2 - In a food processor, add dates, pecans, molasses, cacao powder, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and allspice along with salt and pulse to a crumb-like consistency.

Step 3 - Roll mixture into 1-inch balls and place onto a wax paper or parchment-lined baking sheet. Store in the freezer for 20 minutes or until chilled (you can also chill them in the fridge but it takes longer).

Step 4 - Remove truffles from freezer and if desired, use one of the options for coating below: Add cacao powder to a plate and roll each truffle in the powder until coated OR Melt chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small saucepan over low heat, whisking frequently until melted (or melt in the microwave in 30 seconds increments, stirring between each increment). Either drizzle melted chocolate on the balls (pictured) or place the balls, one at a time, into the melted chocolate until coated. Remove and return truffles to parchment-lined baking sheets.

How to store these:

• Store in the refrigerator to keep chilled.
• They also freeze very easily, just make sure they're well wrapped and give them plenty of time to thaw because frozen dates and nice teeth do not get along!

Tips:

• This recipe works with Medjool dates or regular pitted dates.
• You can just drizzle them with chocolate or coat them completely but this will obviously make them less healthy.
• Instead of pecans, you can use walnuts.
• If you don't have all the individual spices handy, use 1 ½ tbsp gingerbread spice mix.
• Be sure to not overmix the mixture, especially if you're using very fresh and "moist" Medjool dates.

5 from 7 votes

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Healthy Gingerbread Energy Bites

These Healthy Gingerbread Energy Bites are a vegan and gluten-free holiday snack you can feel GOOD about! 

Course Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword easy gingerbread truffles, gingerbread snack, healthy energy bites

Prep Time 15 minutes

Chilling 20 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Servings 16

Calories 75 kcal

Ingredients

• 1 cup Medjool dates pitted (about 8-10 dates)
• 1 cup pecans toast them then let cool for flavor town
• 1 tablespoon molasses
• 1 tablespoon cacao powder
• 1 tablespoon powdered ginger
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ¼ teaspoon allspice
• big pinch of salt

Optional coating:

• 2 tablespoons cacao powder for dusting OR
• ⅓ cup dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate
• 1 ½ teaspoons coconut oil

Instructions

1. In a food processor, add dates, pecans, molasses, cacao powder, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and allspice along with salt and pulse to a crumb-like consistency.
2. Roll mixture into 1-inch balls and place onto a wax paper or parchment-lined baking sheet. Store in the freezer for 20 minutes or until chilled (you can also chill them in the fridge but it takes longer).
3. Remove truffles from freezer and if desired, use one of the options for coating below:
4. Add cacao powder to a plate and roll each truffle in the powder until coated
5. OR Melt chocolate chips and coconut oil in a small saucepan over low heat, whisking frequently until melted (or melt in the microwave in 30 seconds increments, stirring between each increment). Either drizzle melted chocolate on the balls (pictured) or place the balls, one at a time, into the melted chocolate until coated. Remove and return truffles to parchment-lined baking sheets.
6. Store in the refrigerator to keep chilled.

Recipe Notes

• You can use Medjool dates or regular pitted dates.
• You can just drizzle them with chocolate or coat them completely but this will obviously make them less healthy.
• Instead of pecans, you can use walnuts.
• If you don't have all the individual spices handy, use 1 ½ tbsp gingerbread spice mix.

Nutrition Facts

Healthy Gingerbread Energy Bites

Amount Per Serving (1 piece)

Calories 75 Calories from Fat 45

% Daily Value*

Fat 5g8%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Sodium 1mg0%

Potassium 126mg4%

Carbohydrates 10g3%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 7g8%

Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 17IU0%

Vitamin C 1mg1%

Calcium 14mg1%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

If you tried this Healthy Gingerbread Energy Bites Recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe below and let me know how it went in the comments – I love hearing from you! You can also follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook for more deliciousness and behind-the-scenes!

More energy bites recipes:

• Paleo Pumpkin Pie Energy Bites
• Healthy Chocolate Hazelnut Energy Bites
• Granola Bites
• Banana Bread Energy Bites
• Pistachio Cranberry Energy Bites