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Home » snacks

Vegan Chocolate Orange Energy Bites

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A favorite flavor combination, these vegan chocolate orange energy bites (or energy balls, or bliss balls, or cookie dough balls, or whatever it is you like to call them) are quick and easy to make. It's so nice to have a batch on-hand for those hangry moments. Plus, they're gluten-free, plant-based, vegan, refined sugar-free, and oil-free!

Chocolate orange energy balls on a dessert plate surrounded by oranges and a jarful of the balls pouring out next to the plate.

I just have a thing for the combination of chocolate and orange.  Adding citrus to chocolate raises the bar.  When that tasty combo can be ready for consumption within 10 minutes, I call that success. It's true that, to hold their shape, it's best to chill them first. But nothing is stopping you from grabbing one beforehand; no matter its shape, it will be delicious.

Energy bites are so wonderful because they are easy to make, to grab while running out the door, to pack for lunch or a long bike ride, to get that snack and move on to the next thing.  They're filled with yummy flavor, nutrition, and a quick energy boost - all inside a little portable package.  They are a crowd-pleaser, generally satisfying all age groups (those under three and over one eating tiny pinches at a time).  In short, they are a little round real-food superhero for those moments when we need a boost.

As usual, I recommend doubling the recipe for these energy balls so you have plenty on-hand.  These babies disappear fast!

Ingredients

Just six ingredients (plus salt) are needed to make these cute little energy balls:

Rolled oats: Oats straight out of the bag or box work great. You could toast them if you'd prefer.

Medjool dates: These dates are nice and sticky, helping the balls stay together. For best results, look for dates that are still soft and not too hard and dried out.

Hemp hearts: I used to make these with chia seeds, and you can use those instead if you prefer. Flax seed meal could work as another alternative. I find hemp hearts work better texture-wise.

Oranges: Both the zest and juice from oranges are used to make these nice and flavorful! The juice helps form the ball, as well.

Cacao powder: A small amount creates a nice flavor. These are also wonderful as just orange energy bites.

Vanilla: A little vanilla brings a smooth, delicious flavor. In a pinch you could skip it, but I do recommend it.

Salt: A small amount of salt really enhances the flavors in these energy bites. It is optional, however.

The six ingredients (oats, dates, hemp hearts, vanilla, oranges, and cacao powder) plus salt, to make chocolate orange energy bites.

Instructions

This is an easy one!

Chocolate orange energy bite ingredients in a food processor.
Chocolate orange bliss ball ingredients processed in a food processor.

Just add all of the ingredients to a food processor and process until well combined. You should be able to squeeze the ingredients and they'll stick together.

Chocolate orange energy balls on a long serving plate, with processed ingredients in a food processor and finished balls in a jar.
Overhead view of a jarful of chocolate orange energy bites, surrounded by orange slices.

Wet your hands and squeeze the mixture in small amounts, forming them into balls. I like to make them around 1 ½ inches or so in size. They can be placed in a jar for storage in the fridge for up to a week.

Vegan Rum Balls
They're chocolatey, they're creamy, they're boozy - they're vegan rum balls! Such a phenomenal, flavor-packed treat that's perfect for the holidays. Made with real whole foods, gluten-free, without added oil or added refined sugar (just what's in the chocolate chips or bar). Not doing alcohol? No problem - there's an alcohol-free version included!
Check out this recipe
close up view of a chocolate rum ball with a bite out of it

Other chocolate orange recipes:

Chocolate-dipped Dried Satsuma Orange Slices

Chocolate Orange Semifreddo

Chocolate orange energy bites on a serving plate.

The Recipe

Chocolate orange energy bites (or balls) on a serving plate and in a jar.

Chocolate Orange Energy Bites

It's so nice to have a batch of these cuties on-hand for those hangry moments. So satisfying! Plus, they're gluten-free, plant-based, vegan, refined sugar-free, nut-free, and oil-free!
______________________________________
Plant diversity: 5 different plants in this recipe!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: vegan
Key Attributes: bliss-balls, chocolate, energy-balls, energy-bites, orange
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
Chill Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
Servings: 12
Fiber: 3.18g
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Equipment

  • food processor

Ingredients

  • 2 cups rolled oats if necessary, make sure the label indicates gluten-free
  • 1 cup medjool dates pits removed, a full cup, at least 12 dates
  • ¼ cup hemp hearts and/or chia seeds or flax meal
  • 3 tablespoons cacao powder or cocoa
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest approximate, from about 1 large orange (or equivalent)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • ⅓ cup orange juice from the zested orange(s)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt optional (enhances flavor)
  • 2 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)

Instructions

  • Add all of the ingredients to a food processor.  Process until well mixed, pulsing at the end to break up any bits at the top. Note: the processor may jump around a bit - keep an eye on it!
  • Wet your hands and form the dough into 1 ½-inch balls, squeezing to help the ingredients stick together.
  • Place the bites in a container and store in the fridge up to a few days.

Notes

Note: Kitchen times are approximate and will depend on various factors, like your personal kitchen speed and how many hands you have working with you. Cooking can become a centering experience that brings family together. I hope you enjoy the ride!
This recipe was updated 12/15/23.

Rough Nutrition Estimate provided by WPRM (based on generic ingredients and limited specification options)

Nutrition Facts
Chocolate Orange Energy Bites
Amount per Serving
Calories
144.47
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
4.83
g
7
%
Saturated Fat
 
1.5
g
9
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1.82
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
0.58
g
Sodium
 
49.75
mg
2
%
Potassium
 
167.81
mg
5
%
Carbohydrates
 
23.52
g
8
%
Fiber
 
3.18
g
13
%
Sugar
 
11.54
g
13
%
Protein
 
4.22
g
8
%
Vitamin A
 
54.31
IU
1
%
Vitamin C
 
3.67
mg
4
%
Calcium
 
30.61
mg
3
%
Iron
 
1.86
mg
10
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?I'd love to see! On Instagram, mention @beautifulingredient and tag #beautifulingredient!

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Welcome to a world of beautiful food!

I'm Kari, and this is where I celebrate beautiful ingredients and focus on ways to make eating more plants easier. Recipes are centered around whole foods and are vegan, cooked without the need for oil, mostly refined sugar-free and gluten-free. And so delicious!


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