Friday 8 March 2013

no-bake choc fruit bites | recipe


Not that long ago, we picked up a packet mix for fruit (or energy) balls. They were pretty nice & I've been keeping a look out for a recipe to try making my own. Then I came across these, which looked good & worked very nicely. Since then, I've been experimenting with other flavours & these chocolaty ones are my favourite so far.


These are delicious & make a great snack. Despite the word 'choc' in the title, they contain very little chocolate (you can omit the chocolate entirely if you want - they are still delicious, just a bit less chocolaty) & are full of healthy ingredients. No added sweetener, vegan**, easy to make, delicious...what more could you ask for?


no-bake choc fruit bites 
recipe adapted from Texanerin
makes 24-30
75g walnuts
70g rolled oats
40g dark chocolate** (optional)
2 teaspoons chia seeds (optional)
180g dates
180g sultanas or dried cranberries
2 teaspoons vanilla essence
4 teaspoons cocoa powder
½ - 1 cup quinoa or amaranth flakes or oat bran
½ - 1 cup rolled oats

In a food processor grind walnuts, oats & chocolate (if using) add the chia seeds & set aside. Put the dates & sultanas or cranberries in the food processor & process until smooth (it may all clump up into a big ball, just process it a little more & it should smooth out). Add the vanilla & cocoa powder & process until combined.
Tip the oat & nut mixture back in & give it a quick pulse. Now you begin adding the extra grains. Start with ¼ cup of each, pulse, and see if you like the consistency. Keep adding the oats & quinoa/amaranth/oat bran a little at a time until it seems like enough. You don’t want to make your mix too dry – it should stick together when you squeeze it.
Transfer the mix to a bowl & roll & squeeze into balls. Mine are usually about 2.5 – 3cm, but you can make them any size you like. Put on a tray & leave in the fridge for 30min to harden, then transfer to a container. Store in the fridge.


**the dark chocolate I used is vegan, but some dark chocolate has dairy in it, so check the label

*I usually end up adding ½ - ¾ cup extra of each grain & you can make them with just rolled oats if you don’t have the other grains

*to make an apricot & coconut version: replace the dates with dried apricots & omit the cocoa powder & chocolate. Add ½ cup desiccated coconut with the nuts & oats. You will need less of the extra grains at the end. 

*you can easily add other seeds, lsa meal, dried fruit, whatever you like.




3 comments:

  1. I love no-bake treats and don't make them nearly often enough. Love all the health benefits to this treat and I have almost all the ingredients on hand already!

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  2. Hi! I’m new follower of your blog and would like to invite you to join me at my weekly Clever Chicks Blog Hop:

    http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/03/clever-chicks-blog-hop-25-polka-dot.html



    I hope you can make it!



    Cheers,

    Kathy Shea Mormino

    The Chicken Chick

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