Dense, fudgy, and full of dark chocolate flavor, these No Bake Brownie Bites are one delicious treat and precisely what you need when craving a quick brownie fix. These little brownie balls are super simple to make and totally wholesome. Perfect snack or quick dessert!
I'm totally on the chocolate spree. After having Chocolate Avocado Smoothie for the last couple of days for breakfast and crazy-good Fudgy Walnut Brownies I made over the weekend, I'm completely hooked on the bitter-sweet dark chocolate taste. Can't imagine anything other than chocolate satisfy my needs right now.
It seems like I'm craving chocolate even more after having these treats. And No Bake Brownie Bites turned out to be the perfect chocolate fix.
These beauties are insanely delicious! Fudgy, dense, full of bitter-sweet dark chocolate flavor. So freaking amazing. And knowing that they are completely guilt-free makes me like them even more.
They are made with only a few simple pantry ingredients, free of any added sugars. Also, low in calories and quite satisfying. Perfect everyday snack or quick dessert.
Brownie Bites ingredients
As I said, these brownie bites are super simple. You will need only a few pantry ingredients:
- Walnuts are the base for these brownie balls. They are very nutritious, a good source of Omega-3, and an excellent source of powerful antioxidants that fights inflammation.
- Cacao powder. I always use unprocessed raw cacao powder that is bitter, deep-flavored, and so incredibly healthy. Cacao powder is packed with powerful antioxidants that have been linked to many health benefits. Cacao gave these brownie bits a gorgeous chocolaty flavor and made them absolutely irresistible.
- Medjool dates have a rich, almost caramel-like taste and a soft, chewy texture. You can substitute them for any regular dates you find in any store. Dates bind ingredients together but also give a natural sweetness.
- Cacao nibs (or chocolate chips). I used Yukon sweetened cacao nibs. Slightly sweetened these cacao nibs are less bitter than regular cacao nibs and a great alternative to dark chocolate chips which you totally can use here if you like.
- Coconut flour.
- Vanilla extract for flavor.
How to make No Bake Brownie Bites
To make this Brownie Bites you will need some equipment, a good food processor or chopper. But other than that, this recipe is relatively straight forward.
- Start with preparing and measuring all ingredients. I use measuring cups. All my measures are in US cups.
- Soak pitted Medjool dates in hot water for a few minutes. Drain, but reserve the water.
- I like to grind walnuts before mixing them with other ingredients. This gives a super soft texture. This step is totally optional.
- Take a high-speed food processor and add all ingredients except cacao nibs (dark chocolate chips). Process everything at high speed for about two minutes until everything is nicely chopped.
- Don't worry if the dough seems dry in the beginning. Just continue mixing. Dates will release juices and make it sticky. Scrap down the dough with a spatula if needed.
- Stop the processing and check texture by pinching the dough between your fingers. It should be sticky and able to keep its shape. If not, add a teaspoon of the reserved water. Mix again and check the texture.
- Mix in cacao nibs or chocolate chips if using.
- Using a spoon, scoop out the dough and roll it between your palms. Form a little bite-size ball. Repeat with the remaining dough.
- If you like you can dust Brownie Bites with cacao powder.
- Place balls on a plate, serving tray, or in an airtight container and refrigerate to harden.
- Makes 20-22 bite-sized balls. The recommended serving size is 2 balls.
Substitutions
- You can substitute Medjool dates with regular dates, commonly called Deglet Noor. Regular dates are smaller than Medjool dates, so you might need to use more, around 14 dates.
- I like to use raw unprocessed cacao powder but regular cocoa powder works fine too.
- You can use cacao nibs, sweetened cacao nibs, or dark chocolate chips here. Even chopped dark chocolate. Use what you have in your cabinet.
- You can substitute coconut flour with almond or oat flour. Note that it won't give such a nice fudgy texture. But it will be equally delicious and healthy.
Pro tips
If you notice that the mixture is too dry and crumbly, add a bit of reserved water, just a teaspoon. Add water little by little and check the dough.
Also, make sure you taste the dough. These Brownie Bites are lightly sweet, so if you feel like you need a bit more sweetness, feel free to add some maple syrup, raw honey, or date syrup. NOTE: If you're adding liquid sweetener, then there's no need to add reserved water. Sweetener will bind the dough and make the texture sticky.
If you accidentally added too much water or dough turns out to be too mushy, just add a little more coconut flour.
Tips for storing
- Keep No Bake Brownie Bites covered in an air-tight food container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.
- HOW TO FREEZE: Place balls in a zip-lock bag. Keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw for 5 minutes at room temperature before consuming.
These little chocolate beauties are 100% vegan, gluten-free, low in calories. Not to mention fudgy, dense, melt-in-your-mouth, chocolaty. So enjoyable!
Brownie Bites are great snack: post and pre-workout snack, after school kids snack, lunchbox snack.... you name it. They are also a great portable snack too, for trips and picnics.
They are so pretty too. You can even serve these as a dessert. Or gift-wrap them for special occasions.
Enjoy!
No Bake Brownie Bites
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 Medjool dates
- 1 cup walnuts
- 1/4 cup cacao powder
- 1/4 cup coconut flour
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup cacao nibs or dark chocolate chips
- Cacao powder for dusting
Instructions
- Soak Medjool dates in hot water for a few minutes. Drain, and reserve the water.
- Fine grind walnuts in coffee grinder or food processor (optional step).
- Add walnuts, dates, cacao powder, coconut flour, and vanilla into a food processor and process on high for about minute until dough is formed.
- Check texture by pinching the dough between your fingers. It should be sticky and able to keep its shape. If the mixture is too dry, add a bit of reserved water (just a teaspoon).
- Add in cacao nibs or dark chocolate chips. Pulse few times just to incorporate.
- Using a spoon, scoop out the dough and roll between your palms to form a small bite-size ball.
- Dust in cacao powder, if desired.
- Place balls on a plate, or in an airtight container and refrigerate to harden.
Notes
- Substitute Medjool dates with regular dates, commonly called Deglet Noor. Regular dates are smaller than Medjool dates, so you might need to use more, around 12-14 dates.
- Substitute cacao powder with regular cocoa powder.
- You can use cacao nibs, sweetened cacao nibs, dark chocolate chips here, or chopped dark chocolate.
- You can substitute coconut flour with almond or oat flour. Note that it won't give such a nice fudgy texture. But it will be equally delicious and healthy.
Nutrition
More healthy snacks to try
If you’ve tried this No Bake Brownie Bites recipe or any other recipe on Natalie’s Health, please take a minute to rate the recipe and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. I love hearing from you!
This post is originally published in February 2019. It's updated with new information and republished in February 2021. The recipe reminded the same.
These look so scrumptious and right up my alley! I'm a horrible baker so "no-bake" is my game!
These bites are so good, it's easy to forget that they are guilt free! The perfect little treat to satisfy my sweet tooth!
Guilt free chocolate??? Yes, please! These will be perfect to keep me and my kids going during these busy distant learning days!
I love love love medjool dates! I lived in Dubai for 7 years so dates are a really big thing for me and medjool are my absolute favorites. This recipe is a great natural energy booster!
Medjool dates are sooo good. I love having one or two on his own, like candy. Instant boost of energy, that's right.