Salted Caramel No Bake Energy Bites
Salted Caramel No Bake Energy Bites with Dates, Oats, & Cashews
These salted caramel no bake energy bites may be tiny…but they’re packed with tons of nutritious fuel! Because, we don’t just want to eat a healthy snack. We want a snack that will actually leave us feeling full and satisfied. (That is, unless we’re snacking just to snack and not because we’re hungry…)
You don’t have to let those late-day cravings or an afternoon slump get you off track! Since these are no bake energy bites with dates, you get plenty of natural sugars for sweetness. And, a convenient midday boost of energy!
But, you also get long lasting energy from the slow digesting carbohydrates in the oats. Plus, between the oats and the cashews in these healthy vegan energy bites, there’s plenty of fiber and some wholesome fats to keep you feeling full!
Hold Up…Where’s the ‘Salted Caramel’ in these No Bake Energy Bites??
Obviously, actual salted caramel could not fit into a healthy energy bites recipe. It’s pure sugar! But, we can create that same, crave-able salted caramel flavor in our no bake energy bites. And, it’s all thanks to an unexpected duo of nutritious ingredients: dates and tahini. Say whaaaat? You better believe it!
Usually, we see dates at their wrinkliest and driest. But, they’re actually a fresh fruit that grows on the date palm. (And, they’re still pretty wrinkly even when they’re fresh.) Because they’re very high in natural sugars, dates are scrumptiously sweet and super sticky. And, that sweetness produces a surprisingly caramel-like taste.
Then, to really put the ‘salted’ in these salted caramel no bake energy bites, I threw a bit of tahini into the mix! Now, most people know tahini as an ingredient in hummus. But, it can add creamy, savory, salty goodness to loads of other recipes.
In reality, tahini is just sesame seed ‘butter’ or paste—like peanut butter or almond butter. On its own, tahini tastes fairly bitter. But, paired with the super sweet dates in these no bake energy bites, it adds just the right amount of savory flavor!
No Bake Energy Bites make Healthy Snacking EASY
Too often, we make excuses (myself included!) for choosing not-so-fuel-filled snacks. Or, we rely on ultra-processed foods because being healthy is too hard. And, yes, prepping healthy homemade snacks does take some extra time, effort, and consideration.
But, there are SO many ways to keep things simple. Prime example: these salted caramel no bake energy balls! You only need a food processor and a few basic ingredients—many or all of which you probably already have at home. No baking, no cooking, just healthy vegan snacks that you can prep in minutes. Great for vegan meal prep snacks or packed school lunches!
Craving More Easy Vegan Recipes?
Check out my 100+ Healthy Vegan Recipes eBook for more easy snacks like this!
Salted Caramel No Bake Energy Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup dates, soaked in warm water (about 1 hour)
- ½ cup roasted salted cashews
- 2 Tbsp tahini
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 sprinkle of pink Himalayan sea salt
- 1¼ cups rolled oats
Instructions
- In a food processor, blend all ingredients (except for oats). Process into a dough, about 1 minute)
- Transfer to a mixing bowl and stir in oats.
- Refrigerate mixture for about 15 minutes.
- Roll into about 1-inch balls. (I used a 4-teaspoon cookie scoop.)
- Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours before enjoying!
- Yields 15-20 no bake energy bites.
