These were the best-tasting accident I’ve ever laid mouth on.
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.
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.
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.
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
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 10 mins
- Yield: 12 1x
Description
These flavorful protein-packed bites are loaded with fiber and protein for a filling and tasty snack.
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
- 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.
- 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).
- Roll into 12 balls.
- 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”]
I have been LOVING lemon desserts and Larabars lately, so I bet these are super duper fantastic!
I never really know what you use my coconut flour for! These are perfectly yum!
I never really know what you use my coconut flour for! These are perfectly yum!
Holy shinto, I want to lay mouth on the whole batch. Seriously a brilliant accident, indeed. Hope you had a wonderful 4th, dear!
Holy shinto, I want to lay mouth on the whole batch. Seriously a brilliant accident, indeed. Hope you had a wonderful 4th, dear!
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 ?
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!
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 ?
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!
Just pinned these guys… I’ve never made lemon-y energy bites. So true about TJ’s going on whatever is trending.. but I really want to buy some of their riced cauliflower. How long until they have pre-spiralized veggies?
OMG you should totally suggest those!! How amazing would that be? It’s only a matter of time…
Just pinned these guys… I’ve never made lemon-y energy bites. So true about TJ’s going on whatever is trending.. but I really want to buy some of their riced cauliflower. How long until they have pre-spiralized veggies?
OMG you should totally suggest those!! How amazing would that be? It’s only a matter of time…
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
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
Definitely adding these bad boys to the rotation soon! Does the coconut flour give it a strong coconut flavor?
They honestly don’t taste coconutty at all 🙂
Definitely adding these bad boys to the rotation soon! Does the coconut flour give it a strong coconut flavor?
They honestly don’t taste coconutty at all 🙂
These bites are definitely the epitome of serendipity.
★★★★★
You neeeeeeed!!!
These bites are definitely the epitome of serendipity.
★★★★★
You neeeeeeed!!!