An easy, delicious, snack recipe, these Nut and Seed Protein Bites with Maple-Sweetened Dark Chocolate are great on-the-go or as a simple dessert.
Every time the academic year comes to a close I find myself in a transitional lurch. From super structure and routine I am catapulted into the complete opposite before I even know what’s happened. Sounds wonderful, you say? It is, to be sure. But my obsessive need to be doing gives me a guilt trip like no other when routine disappears. We’ve already spent several nights in a row staying up late to watch way too many episodes of The Fall on Netflix. Consequently, (my night owl husband unfazed) the next morning doesn’t start nearly as early as I’d hoped. And man, the guilt starts creeping on in.
I need to chill the f— out and enjoy, right? Probably. Most definitely. This week, as I have been planning and executing a new routine, these little nut and seed protein bites with maple-sweetened dark chocolate have been my answer to keeping my hands busy. Pressing the mixture between my palms, sprinkling the tops with sea salt, and giving each a coat of maple-sweetened chocolate was methodic and comforting.
I am especially digging the extra oomph of protein that the hemp hearts provide, in addition to the almonds, cashews, pistachios, and almond butter. I may just start throwing them in everything. Their neutral flavor adapts to its surroundings with a nicely added crunch. And if you don’t have these same nuts on hand, feel free to sub for nuts you do. While they didn’t seem to last long around our house this week, I would keep the protein bites in an airtight container for a longer keep.
Also, this week I was so happy to take part in ex-Presso’s Food for Thought series where I shared about my journey to becoming gluten-free. The other stories in this series are so interesting and inspiring. I recommend you check them out!
Protein Bites with Maple-Sweetened Dark Chocolate (Gluten-Free, Vegan)
Ingredients
Nut and Seed Bites
- 1 cup raw almonds chopped
- 1/2 cup raw pistachios chopped
- 1/4 cup heaping raw cashews, chopped
- 1/4 cup hemp hearts
- 1/4 cup unsalted almond butter
- 1/4 cup maple syrup grade B preferred
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon sea salt plus additional for sprinkling
- cooking spray
Maple-Sweetened Dark Chocolate
- 8- ounce unsweetened chocolate bar chopped
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup maple syrup room temperature
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. On a baking sheet, spread almonds, pistachios, and cashews and toast in oven for about 5 minutes. Watch carefully so they don't burn. Pistachios seem to toast up quicker than the other nuts.
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Set toasted nuts aside and allow to cool. In a small saucepan, combine almond butter and maple syrup on low heat. Once thoroughly combined, whisk in vanilla extract and sea salt. Place nuts in a large bowl, add hemp hearts and almond butter mixture. Stir until nut mixture is evenly coated.
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Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Spray your hands with cooking spray, and using a small spoon scoop nut and seed mixture and form a ball with your hands. Place on baking sheet. Spray your hands with cooking spray intermittently so that mixture does not stick to hands. Repeat until entire mixture has been formed into balls. Sprinkle additional sea salt over each bite. Place baking sheets in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes or until bites have firmed up.
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Once the bites have chilled, place the chopped chocolate in a glass or microwave safe bowl and microwave for 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval. When chocolate has melted, whisk in vanilla extract, maple syrup, and salt. Working quickly while chocolate is melted, dip the bottoms of the bites in the chocolate and place them back on the baking sheet with parchment. I find using a small spoon to scoop up the melted chocolate and place the bottoms of the bites on the spoon works best.
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Place baking sheets back in the refrigerator until chocolate has hardened. Transfer to an airtight container to store.
Recipe Notes
Adapted from my No-Bake Granola Bars with Maple-Sweetened Dark Chocolate.
Lindsey | Mabel & the Wooden Spoon says
AHHH! I’m SO excited about this recipe. These days, I need quick, protein-packed snacks I can eat with one hand and these look perfect. I hope you’re able to find some much needed rest and relaxation in the days ahead. Slowing down is so hard.
Tessa says
Oh yay! They are satisfying and one or two have held me over for quite a bit. I hope you and your new babe are doing well!
Harriet Emily says
One word – YUM! Oh my. These look sooooo incredibly tasty. They’re all my favourite things combined into one! I looooove all of the nuts you used – pistachios are my favourite nut, and work so amazingly with chocolate. I definitely have to make these. Thank you for sharing!
Tessa says
Thank you, Harriet Emily!! I’m in total agreement with you, pistachios and chocolate are such a great match. I just checked out your blog and am already a fan. :) So glad you stopped by!
Sarah @ SnixyKitchen says
These photos are just too stunning Tessa. I can’t stop looking. And boy do I know that stay up way too late and get nothing done guilt when the academic year ends! (And now I’m looking up The Fall and wondering why I’m not watching it already…)
Tessa says
Thanks so much, Sarah!! Hahaha, YES, you need to start watching The Fall stat. And then you’ll ask yourself why you are watching something so suspenseful right before bed, and then you’ll do it again the next night! :)
Hannah | The Swirling Spoon says
OK I also succumbed to The Fall addiction recently (how good is it?!) but I also now feel as though I need to go and buy lots of white silk blouses to fill my wardrobe so I can glide around like Gillian Anderson. And these look like little clusters of total bliss!!!
Tessa says
SO good!! Hahaha, that is hilarious. Great point, I did notice that I do not have a single white silk blouse! It also makes me feel like she can do anything in high heels. Thank you, Hannah!
Christine // my natural kitchen says
When I was a student, I had that perpetual guilt AT ALL TIMES. I totally know the “I should be doing something right now” feeling all too well. It goes away with time but I seriously still struggle with how to chill the f— out haha ;) I really love these treats! I’ve been trying to limit grains lately but still definitely want to have treats around, and these look perfect. Plus, all ingredients I have on hand so definitely making these after dinner! We binge-watched The Fall too – so good!
Tessa says
Hahaha, oh man, chilling the f— out is not my strength! It has gotten better as I’ve gotten older…but still. ;)
I hope you like these little treats! They satisfy my craving for sweet and crunchy and I like knowing what/how much sweetener has gone into it.
Yay for The Fall! So. good. xo.