Cinnamon Cashew Protein Bites (gluten-free, no-bake)
In my constant quest for wholesome, well balanced snacks, I’m happy to report that these Cinnamon Cashew Protein Bites make the cut! Each bite is balanced with fiber, healthy fats and 7g of protein (about the same as an egg!).
I love these for their light texture as compared to the gooey texture that I find many existing energy balls/bars have as a result of their use of dates as the main ingredient. These bites do still use dates as an ingredient in the base but we have some yummy cashew butter to create a softer, fluffier texture and to keep the blood sugars stable.
These make a great on-the-go snack too!
These have the perfect balance of cinnamon flavour, sweetness from the dates and are rounded out with a pinch of pink Himalayan salt. They’re a great little pick-me-up!
So, let’s breakdown some of the key health ingredients here that will keep your body thriving and your taste buds happy:
Cashew Butter – a great source of iron as well as magnesium. Magnesium is known as the anti-stress mineral and helps to relax the muscles and digestive tract.
Medjool Dates – contain the highest source of antioxidants among other dried fruits as well as a good source of fiber to get things moving along the digestive tract.
Raw Honey – a powerhouse for the immune system! Raw honey contains 27 minerals and 22 amino acids in addition to some amazing anti-bacterial properties. It is strained and unpasteurized in order to maintain these powerful properties unlike traditional pasteurized, filtered honey.
I hope you give these a try and love them as much as I do! If you do make them, please let me know or tag me on instagram @happyhealthcc. I’d love to see your creations!
Ingredients
Cinnamon Cashew Protein Bites:
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Yields: 9 bites (Tim Bit sized)
6 medjool dates (pitted)*
1/2 cup cashew butter
1 tbsp raw honey
3 tbsp whole almonds (roasted)
1/4 cup hulled hemp hearts
1 tbsp plain protein powder
2 tbsp collagen powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp pink himalayan salt
Optional Coating:
1 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut (to roll the bites in)
Add dates to a food processor and pulse to chop into small pieces
Next, add the cashew butter and raw honey. Pulse to combine.
Add the roasted almonds, hemp hearts, protein powder, collagen, cinnamon and salt. Pulse again and process until everything is incorporated and there are still a few large pieces of almonds (we want these for crunch!).
Roll into balls about the size of a Tim Bit (roughly 1 heaping tbsp each).
Place shredded coconut on a plate and roll each bite to coat.
Enjoy on the spot or on-the-go! These are best stored in the fridge for about a week as they do soften slightly at room temperature but are still great at room temperature for 2-3 hours.
*Original recipe was made in a mini food processor and you may need to double the recipe if you have a large cup food processor.
**If your dates are dry, give them a soak in hot water for about 10 minutes to re-soften prior to use.