The time is upon us in which the great pumpkin obsession swiftly transforms into the great peppermint obsession.
It's normal. November becomes December. Fall becomes winter. Pumpkin becomes peppermint. You know and love these things.
It's time for another edition of the #MakeYourMove campaign I'm participating in with Kohl's! I promised to deliver easy, delish, plant-based recipes that the whole fam will adore and this holiday recipe does NOT disappoint. Let's get into it!
I have a wild crazy beautiful love affair with these Lemon Coconut and Pumpkin Protein No-Bake Bites. They're moist and perfect and dreamy and begging to be introduced to their chocolatey cousin. Because everyone needs a chocolate cousin, no? I get asked fairly often about which cacao I use. I buy this one from Amazon in bulk because it's raw and organic and humbelievable and for those reasons and more, I literally use it every single day (usually in the form of this blueberry cacao smoothie, duh).
So why do I put cacao in nearly everything? Welp, in short, cacoa is a dream superfood. I'm like a walking cacao advertisement. It's oozing with mood-boosting flavanols that give you the warm and fuzzies, quite literally.
To make cacao, hand-selected Peruvian cacao beans are milled at low temperature and separated from the cacao butter without the use of any harsh chemicals or solvents, thus protecting the precious nutrients, antioxidants, and flavah flaves. Cacao is one of the best sources of age-defying and disease-fighting antioxidants out there. It's also a good source of theobromine, a bioactive compound that improves blood flow. Plants are amazing, aren't they?
It also tastes incredible. I always accidentally but totally on purpose spill some on my fingers so I can lick it off. Not ashamed.
Back to the bite babies! This Cuisinart 8-cup food processor is one of my favorite kitchen appliances and it's essential for this recipe in order to process the dates. I use it all the time for no-bake bites, veggie burgers, sauces, and more. It will be your best bud in the kitch in no time, guaranteed. I store these bites in my beloved glass pyrex Tupperware. If you use your finger to scoop out the batter, try using this soft grip spatula instead. It's everything. You can refrigerate them or make a double batch and freeze leftovers.
Even though there may not be any.
When it comes to protein, my go-to is Vega Protein + Greens, or Skoop B-Strong. Be sure to pay attention to the gram measurement since the size of the scoop varies with different brands.
Step aside, peppermint crinkle cookies. I double chickpea dare you to serve these bad boys at your next holiday party. But zero judgements if you want to make a triple batch and hoard them all for yourself.
PrintPeppermint Chocolate No-Bake Bites
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Yield: 15 1x
- Category: Muffins, Bites and Bars
Description
These chocolate peppermint bites are moist, delicious, and healthy--high in fiber and protein, low in fat, and perfect for the holiday season! Paleo (non-protein version) and vegan-friendly.
Ingredients
For the protein powder version:
- 9 Medjool dates, pitted (place in bowl of warm water first if hard and dry)
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ¼ cup + 2-3 tbsp almond milk
- ¼ tsp peppermint extract
- ½ cup coconut flour (I used Trader Joe's brand)
- 2 tbsp cacao powder
- 1 scoop (30g) vanilla brown rice protein powder (I like Vega Vanilla Protein + Greens)
- 2 tbsp cacao nibs or chocolate chips (optional)
For the non-protein powder (paleo) version:
- 10 Medjool dates, pitted (place in bowl of warm water first if hard and dry)
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ¼ cup almond milk (more if needed)
- ¼ tsp peppermint extract
- ½ cup + 2 tbsp coconut flour
- 2 tbsp cacao powder
- 2 tbsp cacao nibs or chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Place dates, applesauce, almond milk, vanilla, and peppermint in a large food processor. Blend until pureed, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Add coconut flour, brown rice protein (is using first recipe), and cacao powder. Blend until a ball of "dough" forms.It should look moist, not crumbly. If it's too wet, add a bit more coconut flour. If it's too dry, add a bit more almond milk.
- Stir in cacao nibs. Roll into about 15 bites. Store in the refrigerator or freezer.
[Tweet "You need these #Vegan Peppermint Chocolate No-Bake Bites via @TheHummusapien! #ad #MakeYourMove @kohls"]
This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of Kohl's.
Suzanne Renae says
These look so amazing, but I think the idea of using dates intimidates me. I need to get over that.
Megan Ware says
I wannnt these but I also really just want them to show up on my doorstep without me having to put in any effort. I feel like I have senioritis but it's not May and I'm not in any type of school situation. What's the adult version of wanting to do nothing productive?
Brittany says
Totally trying these!!
Viktoriya says
These look so goooood. I have all of the ingredients except for the peppermint extract. ? think it'd still taste good if I replaced that with almond extract?
Kate says
This is my favorite latte! I don't have any dates, but I think I will try this raisins sometime this week!
monika says
You can always tell when people are doing paleo as a fad when they consider a recipe such at the one above PALEO. It's not. When did rice (especially brown rice powder (protein powder)) become paleo?
Very misleading...well at least for those uninformed.
Mary @ Fit and Fed says
I like how you have a protein powder version and a non-protein powder version. I do the same with my energy bites. I feel they taste a little better without the protein powder, yet you often do want the protein powder for balance with the fat and carbs (like after a workout).
masala girl says
thank youuuu <3 you & Arman have now officially convinced me to buy coconut flour, haha.
She Rocks Fitness says
Um.....YUMMY in my TUMMY!!!
jenni schaffer says
Plants ARE amazing!!! (and so are you!) xoxo
Sara @ Oats & Rows says
These look heeeeavenly!