Healthy German Chocolate Bliss Balls
“Coconut People”
I thought we were all coconut people. I had no idea coconut was like the cilantro thing: people have really strong opinions about it and aversions to it.
So I guess this recipe’s not for everyone. But for the coconut lovers among us (hay fam!), here’s a nutty-choco treat inspired by German Chocolate Cake. What I love about energy balls is that they are super meal prep friendly. You can enjoy them during the week like we did, or whip up a batch to freeze, then thaw a few here and there when you need a lil su’um.
Consider these a “fiber treat.” Not much protein in these German Chocolate Energy Bites, but you are getting antioxidants from cacao powder and omega 3’s from chia seeds. Both are great sources of fiber, too.
If you struggle to hit that 25g fiber per day (or 30 for the guys), don’t these sound a little more exciting than steamed broccoli??
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What’s Inside German
Chocolate Bites?
Natural sweeteners and whole food ingredients, woop woop! These German Chocolate energy bites are made with almond meal and shredded coconut, which sets them up to be nice and dense (my favorite texture in a dessert).
These energy bites are naturally sweetened with date syrup and a touch of almond extract. If you can’t find date syrup, check out the recipe notes for some alternative options.
Work your wonders, cacao. Cacao is the closest thing to a superfood we’ve got. It’s a little hard to work with since it’s naturally pretty bitter (does anyone else like that bitterness? Just me, k). However, cacao plays well in smoothies paired with fruit or in treats that can balance it out with sweeter ingredients.
Why do I love cacao so much? Because it’ chock full of iron, polyphenols, and fiber. It’s a natural energy booster and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Top it off!
I kept the icing pretty simple by melting dark chocolate chips with a smidgen of coconut oil. Some people are content eating their energy bites naked, but I am a sucker for that chocolate “crack” you get when you sink your teeth into a treat. Plus the chocolate shell and toasted coconut shavings make for some darling photos.
As always, I love seeing you guys preppin’ food and taking names. If you make these energy bites (or any of my other meal prep recipes), let me see! Tag me (@whatsformealprep) in your photos or send me a message. Til next time, may your santoku be sharp and your dishes light.
macros
94 cal per ball | 4g F | 15g C | 1g P | 2g Fiber
German Chocolate Cake
bliss balls
(Energy Bites)
Makes about 12 balls
Energy Ball Ingredients
1 cup almond flour
1/4 cup old fashioned oats
1/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut
3 tbsp cacao powder
1 heaping tbsp chia seeds
1/2 cup date syrup or brown rice syrup (see notes)
3 drops almond extract (less is more)
2 tbsp coconut oil (melted)
Icing Ingredients
1/4 cup melted dark chocolate chips + 1 tsp coconut oil
Shredded coconut (can be toasted, see instructions)
Instructions
Optional first step – toasting coconut: Toasted coconut will make these bites taste a little nuttier, if you prefer. Spread your coconut in an even layer on a cookie sheet then BROIL in your oven on LOW for 5 minutes until light browning occurs. Flip then broil another 3 minutes. Keep an eye on it since coconut can burn quickly.
Add dry ingredients (almond flour, oats, coconut flakes, cacao powder, and chia seeds) into a food processor and run for 30 seconds until combined.
On the lowest setting, run the food processor and drizzle in wet ingredients over the dry mixture slowly. This will help the binding along.
Continue processing on the lowest setting until you start seeing a ball or cluster forming.
From here, scrape the sides if needed, then pulse the mixture until there aren’t any dry spots.
Remove batter from food processor. Roll it into 1.5-inch balls and refrigerate until firm (at least 15 minutes).
To make the icing, melt together chocolate chips with coconut oil and mix until smooth. This can be done with a double boiler over the stove or in your microwave for about 1 minute.
Storage: German Chocolate energy balls can be enjoyed up to 7 days if kept in the fridge. You can also freeze them up to a month and thaw as needed.
Recipe Notes
Alternative Sweeteners: Date syrup is a little pricey and hard to find, but it brings the most caramel-like flavor to these energy bites. Brown rice syrup is my second choice. You could also try:
Maple syrup
8 pitted dates (will be more crumbly)
Don’t use a dry sweetener in here (like sugar or stevia) since the stickiness does all of the binding.
