These Whole 30 Chocolate Coconut Bites are an easy, healthy snack recipe! Naturally paleo, packed with nuts + seeds, low in sugar + high in protein! They’re also gluten-free, dairy free, soy free and free of refined sugar!
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These Whole 30 Chocolate Coconut Bites are seriously one of my favorite snacks to make. They’re quick to make, packed with protein, are made with minimal ingredients and just SO yummy!
I started making these healthy bites years ago when searching for an easy snack I could meal prep and take on the go. When you do Whole30, it can get boring and expensive to eat the same things over again in terms of ’emergency foods’. Rather than buying compliant bars, I decided to make my own!
Now, before we go ANY further – if you’re doing a Whole30 I want to caution you. These bites are not meant to be used as a treat, or as dessert. If you think these bites may trigger any cravings or your sugar dragon – please wait until you’re done with your Whole30 to make them!
If you’re someone who likes to have RX bars on hand for an ’emergency snack’ but you don’t want to pay for pricy bars, this is a great alternative to help you save some $$. RX Bars are an approved ’emergency snack’ on Whole30. Throughout any Whole30 I’ve done, I’ve relied mostly on home cooked real foods, but there were a few times where I needed something in a pinch, and usually turned to RX Bars. The last round I did, we happened to have a lot of dates lying around in the fridge, which are whole30 approved, so I figured it was worth trying to make my own RX Bars to save some $$.. just in a bite form!
If you’re not on a whole30, you can enjoy these bites at your leisure. They are a little bit sweet from the dates, but I definitely would classify these as a snack more than dessert (even though the chocolate and coconut combo may make it feel like it’s a dessert!) I like to eat these bites before a workout or when I’m on the go and need something quick!
As with all of my snacks, I wanted these to be low in sugar, high in protein. I pulled together some of my favorite NOW Foods protein packed nuts/seeds to build the base, added in a few different things.. and the result was a bite that tasted basically like brownie batter! I recipe tested these a few times to play with the amount of sugar/protein/fat in them, and I feel like this is the perfect ratio. You’re going to love them.
Tips for making the perfect energy bite:
- Add in hemp seeds. With 10g of protein per serving, these little seeds added extra protein without giving the bites a weird consistency that a protein powder would.
- Use dates. I honestly had never cooked with dates until a few months ago, but they’re a great natural sweetener + act as the perfect binder in these.
- Liquid coconut oil works wonders. If your bites have every turned out grainy or dry, it’s probably because they were lacking enough oil. I just used a little bit of this and it made these soft + chewy.
- Use a softer nut like pecans for the base. I’ve found that almonds/cashews are a little harder which means they don’t blend as well and can give the bites a gritty taste.
In addition to tasting great, these were super easy and affordable to make. NOW Foods has a lot of affordable options for raw ingredients that go great in these bites. Many pre-packaged Whole30 snacks can get expensive, so if you’re looking for a simple, quick treat – these are you going to be perfect for you!
How long do these energy bites last?
These bites will last up to 1 week if stored in an airtight container in the fridge. (they may last longer depending on the climate where you live/your fridge!)
Substitutions for this recipe:
You can omit the collagen peptides
You can replace the collagen peptides with protein powder (this will not be Whole30)
You can sub dates for other dried fruit like apricots or raisins
Looking for other Whole30 Bite Recipes?
Check out this list of 20 Whole 30 Energy Bites You Have to Try or this list of 30 No Bake Energy Balls
Whole 30 Chocolate Coconut Bites
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raw pecans
- 1/2 cup pitted dates (approx 5-6 large dates)
- 2 tablespoons hemp seeds
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut extra for rolling bites in
- 1 tablespoon liquid coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon almond milk
- 1 tablespoon collagen peptides
Instructions
- In a food processor or NutriBullet, pulse pecans until flour like consistency
- Add dates to mixture + pulse again.
- Add remaining ingredients + blend until combined
- Roll into 1 inch balls and roll in additional coconut flakes if desired
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week days
Notes
Substitutions for this recipe:
- You can omit the collagen peptides
- You can replace the collagen peptides with protein powder
- You can sub dates for other dried fruit like apricots or raisins
Nicole Bradshaw says
Is there a substitute for collagen peptides? I don’t have them but would like to try this recipe. I’m just not sure what purpose they serve- flavor, texture, glue? Thanks!
The Clean Eating Couple says
Hi Nicole – The collagen peptides are in the recipe to add protein. You can make the recipe by omitting them or replacing with your favorite protein powder (however they won’t be Whole30 if you add protein powder!) 🙂
Jackie says
Made these to have for snacks last week – they were so good I made them again today! Awesome for when you need something quick or if you have a sweet tooth.
The Clean Eating Couple says
I’m so glad you liked them, Jackie!! They’re one of my favorite snacks too!
Sabren says
The nutrition facts; is it for the whole recipe or each bite?
The Clean Eating Couple says
The nutrition facts say that it is for 1 bite. Hope that helps!
Bethany says
Holy cow these are amazing!! I’m Day 8 of my first Wholw 30 round and made these for pre workout snacks- so tasty! Thanks!!
The Clean Eating Couple says
I’m so glad you like them, Bethany! I like them for pre-workout too because I don’t like a big meal before working out!
Rebecca says
I just made these today. I omitted the collagen peptides and the hemp seeds and they still turned out great! I enjoyed them and shared them with three friends who all gave the recipe a thumbs up! Definitely will make these again.
The Clean Eating Couple says
Hi Rebecca- So sorry I didn’t see your earlier comment until just now! I’m glad these worked out with the substitution you made 🙂 Enjoy!!
Rebecca says
Not to worry! Sometimes we need to follow our instincts in these cases to try and figure out what works. Last night I made these again. I substituted coconut milk for the almond milk and that worked too:)
Lee says
Delicious
The Clean Eating Couple says
So glad you like them Lee!
Cheryl says
Oh wow these were killer and so needed on my Whole30.
I cannot get more than 20 small balls so I think I may have made them too big but to me they’re perfect! So great for after dinner treat or pre-workout.
Michelle Peterson says
These sound great but my son has a nut allergy. Do you think substituting a seed like sunflower or pepitas for the pecans could work?
The Clean Eating Couple says
I’m not sure if that would work. Pepitas are dryer than pecans, so it might get crumbly. I would probably google a nut free energy bite recipe 🙂
Lauren says
Can i make these without the hemp seeds and chia seeds?
The Clean Eating Couple says
I’m not sure how it would turn out but you’re welcome to try it!
Julie says
What can I replace the dates with?
The Clean Eating Couple says
I don’t recommend replacing the dates because they’re the main ingredient. Sorry!