These Energy Bites put a wholesome twist on the classic snack by sneaking in a surprising ingredient—black beans. Not only do they add plant-based protein and fiber to keep you feeling full, but they also act as a natural binder to hold everything together. Naturally sweet fruits like dates and apricots replace refined sugar, while walnuts and chia seeds bring satisfying crunch and texture. Once you’ve tried the base recipe, it’s easy to swap in your favorite dried fruits, nuts, or seeds to make them uniquely yours.
When processing the dried fruit and nuts, aim for a chunky-smooth texture—blended enough to hold together but with small bits still visible for crunch. Since the mixture is sticky, pause to scrape down the sides of the food processor to keep it even. If it clings to your hands while rolling, simply dampen (not soak) your hands with a little water, and shaping the bites will be much easier.
Ingredients
-
1 cup no-salt-added canned black beans, rinsed
-
½ cup dried pitted Medjool dates, chopped (about 8 dates)
-
3 tablespoons smooth natural peanut butter
-
½ teaspoon salt
-
1 cup walnuts
-
¼ cup raisins, coarsely chopped
-
¼ cup dried apricots, chopped
-
¼ cup unsweetened dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
-
¼ cup chia seeds
-
3 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut
Directions
-
Combine 1 cup beans, ½ cup dates, 3 tablespoons peanut butter, and ½ teaspoon salt in a food processor; process until fully combined, about 45 seconds, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed.
-
Add 1 cup walnuts and ¼ cup each raisins, apricots, cranberries, and chia seeds; pulse until the mixture comes together but still has a few small chunks, about 8 (1-second) pulses, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed.
- Shape the mixture into 16 balls (about 2 tablespoons each); place on a large plate. Place 3 tablespoons of coconut in a shallow bowl; roll the balls in the coconut until evenly coated, gently pressing to adhere. Serve immediately or transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
