Sometimes it can be hard to stop our food cravings, especially if we're stressed or when don't eat healthy food. If you need to eat something sweet, you should try these 3-ingredient raw cacao bites, they taste incredibly good and you only need 3 ingredients to make them.
Feel free to use your favorite nuts (I used walnuts, but I also love hazelnuts and almonds). I only eat unsalted raw nuts because salted and fried nuts aren't good for our health and sometimes they also have some additives or preservatives.
There are so many ingredients you can use to make these bites: spices (like cinnamon or nutmeg), seeds, superfoods or dried fruits, it's almost impossible go work with this recipe!
Medjool dates work better for this recipe, but if you can't find them or they're too expensive for you, you can use another type of dates, although you should soak them overnight and maybe you'll have to add some syrup or molasses (I adore maple syrup).
The bites are ready in only 5 minutes and you can eat them immediately. You just have to place the nuts in a food processor or a powerful blender (food processors works better) and blend until they form a crumbly mixture, add the dates and the raw cacao (unsweetened cocoa powder is okay) and blend again. Make balls with your hands and they're ready to serve!
If you can't make the balls because the dough is too sticky, you can add more nuts or let the dough stand in the freezer for 10 or 15 minutes, although if it happens, the balls will be easier to make if your hands are wet. If it's too dry, add more dates or more syrup.
I love raw cacao because is much nutritious and healthier than processed cocoa powder. It's more expensive, but it has a strong flavor, so you need to use less. Feel free to use unsweetened cocoa powder if you want.
You can store the bites in a sealed container at room temperature, but I prefer to keep them in the fridge, especially in summer.
If you make these 3-ingredient raw cacao bites, please leave a comment or tag a picture #simpleveganblog on Instagram or your favorite social network.
📖 Recipe
3-Ingredient Raw Cacao Bites
Instructions
- Place the walnuts in a food processor or a powerful blender (food processors work better) and blend until they have a crumbly texture.
- Add the dates and the cacao and blend again.
- Make balls with your hands and they're ready to serve.
- You can store the bites in a sealed container at room temperature, although I prefer to keep them in the fridge, especially in summer.
Cherrbri says
I enjoyed these and they're really easy to make. I added peanut butter to mine. I've had the ingredients around for a while and wanted to do something new with them.
***Don't forget to remove the pits from dates.*** Making this recipe was one of my first time using dates. I forgot to remove the pits and my food processor now has a hole on the side.
Iosune says
Hi Cherrbri! Thanks a lot for your comment 🙂 So glad you enjoyed them!
Janet says
How long will these keep if stored in the fridge? Can they be frozen? Thank you. I have a love for chocolate and dates, so am looking forward to trying these.
Iosune says
Hi Janet! They last for 1-2 weeks in the fridge. I've never frozen them myself, so I'm not sure... Hope you enjoy them!
Rebecca says
Hi Iosune, these sound amazing. I'm just wondering if dried dates would work instead of fresh if that's all I have on hand. Maybe if I soak the (dried) dates in hot water for a few hours and then drain the water. Obviously fresh would be optimum but if I can't get any?
Iosune says
Hi Rebecca! I used dried dates as well 🙂
Vivienne says
These are delicious but added some ground chilli flakes, as I love chilli. Will definitely make again. Great with my iced Perky Blenders coffee!!
Iosune says
Hi Vivienne! Thanks a lot 🙂 So glad you enjoyed them!
Goddess MsGraves says
Omg! These were exceptionally yummy delicious! Thank you! These help satisfy those chocolate cravings. I don’t process chocolate well but these I can eat & Enjoy!
Iosune says
Hi there! You're so welcome 🙂 So glad you enjoyed them!
Peggy says
Good...I add peanut butter and coconut too
Iosune says
Hi Peggy! Sounds great 🙂
Daniela says
Used almonds instead of walnuts and turned out great! I did add some agave to make it stickier. Thanks, this will be a staple dessert for my new raw food diet!!!!! <3
Iosune says
Hi Daniela! You're so welcome 🙂 SO glad you liked it!
Janett says
So delicious! It does taste better once it sits in the fridge overnight. By delish!
Iosune says
Hi Janett! Thanks a lot 🙂 Have a nice day!
Jackie-Anne says
I've made these three times now, roll them in coconut flakes so non sticky when eaten on the run and we LOVE them. I made them once with Brasil nuts and that was nice too.
Quick question - have you tried freezing them?
Iosune says
Hi Jackie-anne! I'm so glad you enjoyed them 🙂 No, I haven't frozen them myself, but I think it should work...
Basavaraj says
That’s great
Iosune says
Hi Basavaraj! Thanks a lot 🙂 So glad you like it!
Christina Blaker says
Amazing and delicious! Very quick and easy. My balls didn't come put as perfect but they won't last long in the fridge anyway!! Thank you!
Iosune says
Hi Christina! Thanks a lot 🙂 So glad you liked them!
Leah says
Great recipe! I used to buy these energy balls whenever I wanted something sweet. They were very costly. Just made your recipe and they tasted even better than the ones I used to buy! For more sweetness I added (osmosis) dried apricots to the recipe. Planning on adding raisins next time too.
I just bought raw cacao nibs, so it’s 2 tbl spoons right?
Any suggestions for simple and healthy energy bars that kids could enjoy?
Iosune says
Hi Leah! Sounds great 🙂 I've never used cacao nibs to make this recipe, so I don't know, sorry! You'll find other similar recipes on the blog 🙂
Mary says
Amazing! Perfect blend of the cocoa (I didn't have cacao so used organic cocoa powder) and the walnut with the healthy sweetness of dates. Thanks for posting!
Iosune says
Hi Mary! You're so welcome 🙂 So glad you enjoyed them!
Richard says
Hi Iosune. This recipe has been a great way to make dessert time healthier. I've made it so many times. For the sake of variety, do you know of another fruit that you can use instead of dates?
Iosune says
Hi Richard! I'm so sorry, but I've only made this recipe using dates...
Denise says
I used dates and craisins and three oz of almonds
Iosune says
Hi Denise! Sounds so good 🙂
Arcement Yvonne says
I’ve made these a few times a while ago, but then lost the recipe! Yay! Found it again today and preparing to make them in a short time. They are delish and help me with my sugar cravings. Quick, easy, Healthy, delish, versatile nuts and coatings... what more could one desire. Thank you very much!
Iosune says
Hi Arcement! So glad you like them 🙂
Iosune says
Hi Mary! Of course, use any nut you have on hand 🙂
Mary says
Can you substitute pecans for walnuts?