Toasted Coconut Energy Bites

I always seem to have a surplus of dates, and never know what to do with them (except eat them straight out of the bag like an animal). So, I thought, why not make some quick little energy bites for a quick preworkout snack?! Dates are a superfood for so many reasons.

Full of fiber, great for hormonal health and fertility, and a fantastic natural sweetener, I recommend eating dates to anyone who is trying to wean themselves off of artificial sugars and wants to eat a high-fiber yet tasty sweet treat at the end of the day.

If you're looking for a simple but delicious recipe to satisfy your sweet tooth, and an easy one to prep ahead, this is the one for you!

INGREDIENTS:

• Approximately 30-40 pitted organic medjool dates

• 1/2 cup organic coconut flakes, toasted

• Sprinkle of flaky sea salt

• 1/4 sugar-free organic chocolate chips

• Dash of cinnamon

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large bowl, soak your dates in room temperature water for about 10-15 minutes to soften them up.

2. In a saucepan over low heat, lightly toast your finely shredded coconut flakes.

3. In a food processor, add your dates and blend until they turn into a thick paste. I add tablespoons of water periodically to get it to blend easier.

4. Once your dates are well mixed into a paste, add that paste into a bowl with your coconut shreds, a sprinkle of sea salt, and a dash of cinnamon. Mix again until well combined.

5. Then, add your chocolate chips and mix again.

6. Now it's time to make your energy balls. I like to wet my hands with cold water so that the ingredients don't stick to my hands as I roll out the bites. Take about a tablespoon of your mixture and roll into a ball. Place on parchment paper and let sit for 10 minutes.

7. Once you're all done rolling out the balls, store your date bites in the fridge and serve cold, whenever you want a quick boost of energy and carbs. Buon appetito!