Description

These Brownie Protein Bites are a delicious and nutritious snack made from Medjool dates, sunflower seed butter, protein powder, and cocoa powder. They can be enjoyed as a quick energy boost, perfect for on-the-go snacking or post-workout refueling. The bites can be enjoyed plain or dipped in rich dark chocolate for an indulgent twist. With no baking required, they are easy to prepare and packed with natural sweetness and protein.

Ingredients

Scale

Filling

1 cup Medjool dates (about 13 dates), pitted
⅓ cup sunflower seed butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
⅓ cup protein powder (such as chocolate or vanilla flavor)
¼ cup cocoa powder
Pinch of salt

Chocolate Coating (Optional)

½ cup dark chocolate
½ tsp coconut oil

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Instructions

Soften Dates: Remove the pits from your dates and soak them in hot water for 5 minutes. This softens them, making them easier to blend and giving the filling a chewier texture.
Blend Initial Mixture: Drain the water from the dates, then place them in your food processor along with the sunflower seed butter and vanilla extract. Blend until the mixture looks like a thick, sticky caramel.
Add Remaining Ingredients: Add in the protein powder, cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt. Blend again until fully combined, stopping to scrape down the sides of the food processor as needed.
Form Bites: Scoop the dough for the filling and roll into balls, each about one tablespoon in size.
Chill Bites (Optional): You can eat the balls as-is, or place them on a lined baking sheet and pop them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes to chill and firm up for easy chocolate dipping.
Melt Chocolate: In a small microwavable dish, combine the dark chocolate and coconut oil. Melt on high in 20-30 second intervals, stirring well between each, until smooth.
Dip Bites: One at a time, dip the chilled balls into the melted chocolate, fully coating them or partially dipping as you prefer. Place the coated bites back on the lined baking sheet to set.

Notes

If you don’t have a food processor, a high-powered blender can work to combine the ingredients.
Use gluten-free protein powder to keep the bites gluten free.
The coconut oil in the chocolate coating helps create a glossy finish and smooth texture.
Store finished bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week, or in the freezer for longer storage.
You can customize these bites by swapping sunflower seed butter for other nut or seed butters like almond or peanut butter.