Molasses Spice Energy Bites

Try this no-bake molasses spice energy bites recipe for a sweet and spicy, chewy and crispy snack full of healthy ingredients.

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These molasses spice energy bites were inspired by the molasses crinkle cookies my granny used to make. I remember her scolding me for eating the dough balls before she could pop them into the oven. The dough had a lovely, sweet, spicy flavor, and the baked cookies were wonderfully crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside.

I made the cookies for my children before I became concerned about ingredients like shortening. Yep, Granny’s recipe called for three-quarters cups of the stuff that’s loaded with trans fats. But Granny wasn’t known for healthy cooking. I loved her dearly, but this was the lady who made me sugar and butter sandwiches on white bread. (The sweet gritty butter filling was delicious!)

Energy Bites (aka Energy Balls)

The no-bake energy bite fad caught my attention on Pinterest. I liked the idea of quick and easy treats that require no baking—especially with warmer weather headed our way. As I began to try different recipes (GimmeSomeOven.com shares some great combinations), I started to wonder if I could create molasses spice energy bites reminiscent of Granny’s cookies.

Blackstrap Molasses

While it’s best to steer clear of vegetable shortening, blackstrap molasses is a sweetener that actually has some nutritional value. It is a concentrated byproduct left over from the third boiling of sugar syrup during the process of refining sugar cane into table sugar. It is rich in:

• Manganese
• Copper
• Iron
• Calcium
• Potassium
• Magnesium
• Vitamin B6
• Selenium

Blackstrap molasses’ dense nutrient content elevates it to superfood status and makes it a popular dietary supplement.

Molasses Spice Energy Bites

In addition to the health benefits that accompany the distinct molasses flavor, these molasses spice energy bites also include the following:

• Dates
• Oats
• Walnuts
• Hemp seeds
• Chia seeds
• Flax seeds
• Ground cinnamon, ginger and cloves

Each of these ingredients is a nutritional powerhouse in its own right. So, while these energy bites are not low in calories—if you are counting calories—they are well worth the calories from a nutritional perspective.

Easy To Make

You’ll want to soak the dates in hot water for about ten minutes before you pulse them in the food processor.

Add the remaining ingredients and pulse until the contents begin to clump—be careful not to over-process.

Allow the dough to sit in the fridge for about ten minutes, and then roll into balls about the size of a walnut. I find washing my hands a few times makes the rolling process go more smoothly.

You can serve the bites right away or store them in the refrigerator to snack on throughout the week.

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Molasses Spice Energy Bites

Prep Time 25 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 9

Ingredients

• 1 cup Medjool dates about 8 whole dates, pitted
• 1½ cups old fashioned rolled oats *
• 2 Tbsp. unsulphured blackstrap molasses
• ½ cup hemp seeds
• ½ cup chopped walnuts
• 1 Tbsp. chia seeds
• 1 Tbsp. ground flax seeds
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ground ginger
• ½ tsp. ground cloves
• ¼ tsp fine sea salt

Instructions

• Soak dates in hot water for approximately 10 minutes, drain, and then add to a food processor fitted with the S blade.
• Pulse the food processor a few times until dates form a chunky paste.
• Add remaining ingredients and pulse until contents are mixed and begin to clump. (You may need to stop and scrape the sides a few times.)
• Scrape dough into a bowl and let sit in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes.
• After chilling dough, form into walnut sized balls by scooping dough with a spoon and rolling it between your hands. (You may find it helpful to wash your hands each time you have rolled about 4 balls.)
• Enjoy immediately or store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a week.

Notes

*Be sure to use gluten-free oats if you are sensitive to gluten.

The recipe makes about 1 1/2 dozen energy bites. The serving size is about two bites.

Note: Nutrition information is a rough estimate for special dietary needs. I subscribe to the theories presented in the book Whole and believe we should focus on eating a variety of whole foods instead of counting calories or keeping track of individual nutrients.

Nutrition

Calories: 234kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Sodium: 69mg | Potassium: 272mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 86IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 3mg