Vegan Peanut Butter Cacao Bites

Vegan Peanut Butter Cacao Bites

Last weekend was our annual friends summer trip upstate. The perfect snack to bring to the house for both hungry kids and sleep deprived parents was my energizing Peanut Butter Cacao Bites.  These are the perfect snack as they are vegan, gluten free and have no added sugar!  I use organic peanut butter with no added sugar or oil.

Not only are these snacks healthy and energizing but they remind me of peanut butter cups, a favorite guilty indulgence from childhood.

1 cup pitted dates

2 TBS peanut butter

½ cup raw cocoa beans or nibs

¼ cup of gluten free oats

½ tsp of vanilla

¼ cup toasted pecans

¼ cup tsp of water or more if mixture is too dry

¼ cup of toasted coconut (toast in skillet for 1 minute or until golden brown)

In a high-powered food processor, chop the nuts and cacao beans into a fine meal. Add the rest of the ingredients except for the toasted coconut. If mixture is too dry, continue adding water until a sticky dough is formed. Chill the dough in the refrigerator until firm (about 20 minutes) then scoop the dough by the tablespoon onto a plate and roll between your hands into a ball. Sprinkle toasted coconut on the balls and enjoy!