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Lemon Coconut No-Bake Bites

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These were the best-tasting accident I’ve ever laid mouth on.

Lemon Coconut No-Bake Bites #paleo #vegan #glutenfree

When I make a recipe for the blog that uses a lemon, it means I have to buy an entire bag of lemons considering I’ll need about three for the photo shoot alone. Same thing goes for any recipe that uses fruit. It’s all about the colorful peaches and cherries and bloobs in the background striking a pose.

So naturally I had a crisper drawer full of lemons (among a million other fruits) leftover from an upcoming lemonade post that I had absolutely no idea what to do with. Since I like having snackities around that satisfy my sweet tooth without being packed with added sugar, I decided to get my lemon no-bake bite experiment on. Stocking up on this Vega Vanilla Protein + Greens when Whole Foods Upper Arlington had a crazy protein powder sale didn’t hurt the need for no-bake bites, either.

Lemon Coconut No-Bake Bites #paleo #vegan #glutenfree

And then came the coconut flour. Ohhhhh the trendy heavenosity that is coconut flour. I grabbed a bag a couple weeks ago at the nation’s capital of food trends, Trader Joe’s. I swear, the second a food goes viral you can count on Trader Joe’s making their own version. Hemp seeds. Kale chips. Chia seeds. Riced cauliflower. Cashew meal. Quinoa pasta. The list goes on and on!

If coconut flour intimidates you, don’t let it. Since it’s literally just super ground up coconut, using it in recipes in place of traditional flour adds boatloads of fiber (and a bit of plant-powered protein, too) without all the carbohydrates of traditional wheat flour. It’s also lower in fat than nut flour like almond meal.  Did I mention it costs about three dollars?

Mmmmhmmmm.

Lemon Coconut No-Bake Bites #paleo #vegan #glutenfree

Wondering the nutrition stats for these bad boys? Well it depends what protein powder you use (this one and this one are my faves), but each bite has around 80 calories, 1 gram of fat, 4 grams of fiber, and 3 grams of protein. STELLAR, if I do say so myself.

Now that you’re all hot and bothered about coconut flour, you’ll find yourself wanting to use it in muffins and cookies and two-minute raspberry mug-cakes galore. But be weary!! This stuff soaks up liquid like a sponge, so you’ll need to use more eggs and liquid than you’re used to. It’s most definitely not a cup for cup substitute for traditional flour.

Lemon Coconut No-Bake Bites #paleo #vegan #glutenf

These bites actually taste like lemon cake. Like, I swear.

Don’t believe me? My roommate tried one and screamed “HOLY SHINTO” and then said “mmmmm” so many times in a row that I thought something was wrong with her. She then proceeded to tell me that she can’t make them because she’d eat the whole batch in one sitting.

I guess you’ll just have to go make them and get back to me.

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Lemon Coconut Protein No-Bake Bites

★★★★★ 5 from 3 reviews
  • Author: Alexis Joseph, MS, RD, LD
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 10 mins
  • Yield: 12 1x
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Description

These flavorful protein-packed bites are loaded with fiber and protein for a filling and tasty snack.

Scale

Ingredients

  • 8 Medjool dates, pitted (I love Natural Delights)
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup coconut flour
  • 1 scoop (30g) vanilla protein powder (I used Vega Vanilla Protein + Greens, see Shop page)
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/4 cup almond milk (plus more, if needed)
  • Unsweetened shredded coconut, for rolling

Instructions

  1. Place dates, applesauce, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla in a large food processor. Process until dates look nearly pureed and mixture is very-well combined.
  2. Add coconut flour, protein powder, and salt. Process until mixture forms a smooth ball of “dough.” (If mixture looks too dry, add almond milk. If it looks too wet, add coconut flour).
  3. Roll into 12 balls.
  4. Place about 1/2 cup coconut in a small bowl and roll balls in coconut, if desired. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

[Tweet “The perfect afternoon snack! Lemon Coconut No-Bake Bites @TheHummusapien #vegan #glutenfree #paleo”]

Lemon Coconut No-Bake Bites…these quick and easy treats taste like lemon cake! Made with coconut flour, they're gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and kid-friendly. Hummusapien.com

Comments

  3. TJ’s has the best price for coconut flour. It is kind of ridiculous…And yeah my TJ’s was sold out of rice cauliflower and they weren’t going to be restocked with it until the end of July…CRAZINESS! Cannot wait to give these a try…Thanks for sharing! xoxo

    Reply

  5. hey girl, these sound delicious! I’ve made a lot of your recipes over the past year since I found your blog, and they’ve never disappointed. My only question for you is, I don’t like to buy protein powder as I find it to be too expensive. Is there a good substitute I could use in order to make those balls without changing their awesome-ness ?

    Reply

    • Hey, Erika! Hmmm good question! I haven’t tried anything else, but I’m thinking maybe you could sub oat flour or almond meal? The protein powder is sweetened with stevia so I would add maybe a tablespoon or two of coconut sugar (or 10ish drops liquid stevia) to help sweeten it. Hope that works!

      Reply

  9. Ha! I know exactly what you mean about having to buy produce for the background. I kinda sorta hate that part but at least, in your case, you were able to turn them into little amazeballs! The lemon coconut combo sounds so good! And coconut flour and I are not very good friends but I’m hoping one day soon we can make up and be besties. ;)

    Reply

  16. Um. Just made these. DEAD.

    I know this is a pretty bold statement, BUT.. These may just be the best no bake bites I’ve come across. The texture is seriously like cookie dough! I’m making my second batch tonight and bringing them this weekend to visit my mom!

    Reply

  17. Did you use dried or fresh dates? I hope dried since that’s what I have! I’m sure they’ll be delicious like your other recipes I’ve tried. My friends love it when I make the mini flourless raspberry chocolate muffins.

    Reply

  18. love, love, love these! such a fresh and definitely summer appropriate treat :) little tip – i put mine in the freezer, and they tasted just like a lemon ice cream bite of some sort! very delish

    Reply

  19. Hello,

    Saw this on Pinterest and although I’m not a vegan, I’m always looking for healthy recipes and these look so yummy!

    What I’m afraidabout though, is that I’ll eat them all in one shot and I’ll have to workout for three hours afterwards! lol

    All jokes aside, how many of those bites would it take to be considered one portion?

    Thank you :)

    Reply

  20. minor grammar issue – weary is tired and wary is cautious. . war·y – feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problem. I think these yummy muffins are designed for energy, so we don’t need to be weary, just WARY of dryness … lol!
    “Now that you’re all hot and bothered about coconut flour, you’ll find yourself wanting to use it in muffins and cookies and two-minute raspberry mug-cakes galore. But be weary!! This stuff soaks up liquid like a sponge,…”

    ★★★★★

    Reply

    • Hmmm dates are what help it stick together so they’re pretty essential. You could try a sticky sweetener like brown rice syrup, honey, or maple syrup, but you’ll need something to thicken it…maybe almond meal or oats?

      Reply

  23. Is it safe to eat coconut flour, in cooked. I have heard some flours can be toxic if eat raw, except for tigar nut flour?

    Reply

  24. I bought the ingredients for these based on the comments. I’m not sure what the comments are based on because they tasted too much like protein powder. Very disappointing.

    Reply

  26. Thank you so much for this recipe! This is the first vegan recipe I have ever tried and after tasting these babies I will be making more! They do tast just like lemon cake, they are super doughy, and actually good for you. Keep the recipes coming?

    ★★★★★

    Reply

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