Easy, healthy, no-bake Chocolate Cherry Almond Energy Balls, made with simple ingredients and are gluten-free, vegan, and refined sugar-free.
We’ve done a good bit of road-tripping this summer. Depending on where you find yourself traveling, “healthy” and “gluten-free” are two snack descriptors that don’t grace in-the-middle-of-nowhere gas station convenience stores. And if you’re not prepared, it can be a slippery slope. Enter these chocolate cherry almond energy balls.
These chocolate cherry almond energy balls, along with some super suspense/thriller audiobooks, have accompanied us on the road this summer and they fit the need for sweet, salty, and satisfying all at once. Simple ingredients—cherries, almonds, cocoa powder, dates—and a food processor, and you are quickly on your way to a healthier treat.
Now, if you want to take things up a notch, you can roll them in some extra cocoa powder for a truffle-like finish. Breakfast to dessert in seconds.
Make a Salted Plains recipe? I’d love to see! Tag your creations on Instagram with #saltedplains!
Chocolate Cherry Almond Energy Balls (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
Ingredients
- 1 cup dates pitted
- 1/2 cup dried unsweetened cherries
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder or cacao powder
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 to 3 pinches sea salt
- optional: 2 tablespoons cocoa powder for rolling
Instructions
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Place dates, cherries, and almonds in the bowl of a food processor. Process until almonds are broken down into medium chunks. Add cocoa powder, vanilla, and sea salt and process until almonds are in small pieces and mixture has become a thick.
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If the "dough" isn't coming together, try adding a one teaspoon of water at a time until it does so. I added 2 teaspoons of water to mine.
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Scoop dough with a tablespoon and roll into a ball with your hands. If rolling in cocoa, place 2 tablespoons cocoa powder in a small ball and roll ball in cocoa until coated. Place completed energy balls in an airtight container and keep in the fridge or freezer.
Ashlea says
So true about the traveling! Hard to find good snacks! I was just starving half the time!
Tessa says
It is so tough. Gummy worms are my weakness – so anything I can do from buying a bag is a good idea! ;) I hope you like these, it’s like cherry pie meets brownie! <3
Abby @ Heart of a Baker says
GAH I LOVE THAT GIF! Ok going to stop yelling now, but really, so good! I also fall into the trap of ‘it’s vacation, so I can eat ‘insert bad food here’ and it’s fine!’ Energy balls all the way!
Tessa says
Hahaha, yell all you want! ;) Thank you! It is soooo easy to fall into that trap, especially in the summer! xoxo
jacquie says
bites look great and I do so hear you about the problems with healthy vegetarian options while traveling. Can you share any good audiobook recommendations?
Tessa says
It can be frustrating, can’t it? This summer while traveling we listened to the “I Hunt Killers” trilogy by Barry Lyga, but in the past we have listened to Tana French books. Those are also suspense/mystery type books! I find that the suspenseful genre keeps my attention better in the car! ;)
Traci | Vanilla And Bean says
Yes, yaasss, yesssss to grab n’ go snacks Tessa!! Hooray! Whenever we travel, a cooler always goes with us.. even on the airplane (via backpack). Depending where in the world we are, food choices can get pretty sketchy for sure. I love these little bites; packed with goodness. I also love how they roll themselves! Does it work the same for getting all the ingredients into the house from the store, then into the food processor? Love it!
Tessa says
YES! We take a cooler with us too. Hahaha, I wish the ingredients got themselves from the store to home to the food processor all on their own – I’d have so much time on my hands! <3
suzi says
what if we added oats and rolled in dark chocolate? yes???!!