I seriously could write an entire post about my love for today’s guest blogger. Meg from Beard and Bonnet is not only one of my favorite gluten-free bloggers, but I am so incredibly lucky to have Meg as a neighbor and a close friend. My love for this lady cannot be explained in a simple intro to a blog post. I have to say, besides being away from my husband and my pets so much this month during yoga teacher training, it is almost as hard being away from Meg. We talk soo much throughout the day, through texts, on the phone or on a walk through the neighborhood. If you haven’t checked out Meg’s amazing site Beard and Bonnet before, I can tell you, it is chock full of creative gluten-free and vegetarian recipes and some of the most beautiful photography you have ever laid your eyes on, so after you check out this amazing treat, get on over there and check it out.
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Hello again Tasty Yummies friends, it’s Meg here from Beard and Bonnet. I am so happy to be here with you again today while Beth is finishing up her yoga training.
I am the type of person that will schedule so many things into each day that I have little to no wiggle room for when life actually happens. You know, the inevitable last minute errand that pops up, or when your kid comes down with a cold and you’re suddenly tied to your house until they are no longer a walking petri dish. Yep, I am one of THOSE people. I am almost always in a full on dash to the next thing, and it’s not that I don’t want to enjoy every moment it’s that I want to enjoy all of the moments and then some. You know, I want to seize the day with a vengeance and never look back and say ‘I wish I had just made time to…’ please, tell me I am not the only person that lives like this!
As you can imagine, some days are spent running from here to there without much time for stopping and making lunch, so for those days I happily settle for a smoothie and a handful of energy bites like these. Granted these are stuffed with vegan marshmallows and chocolate chips, but there are fresh dates and raw walnuts in there too. These smore’s energy bites fill me up without weighing me down so I can keep about the business of crossing things off of my “to-do” list without having to sacrifice lunch.
These bites are not only great for eating on the run, but they are perfect to pack into lunches too. My kids and husband loved this recipe SO much that I had to make two batches just to get these pictures made! Not that I am complaining about having an extra plate full of tasty smore’s energy bites waiting for me in the fridge.
[print_this]No-Bake Smore’s Energy Bites (Gluten Free and Vegan)
Makes 2 dozen bites or approximately 5 full size bars
- 1 cup chopped and pitted fresh Medjool dates
- 1 cup raw walnuts
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 cup gluten free and vegan mini chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup chopped, gluten free and vegan marshmallows (Dandie’s also makes gluten free and vegan mini-marshmallows, if you can find those simply toss in a ½ cup without chopping)
Place the chopped dates and walnuts in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the “S” blade. Process until a sticky dough has formed and the pieces of nuts and fruit are all similar sized pieces. Add the cinnamon and sea salt then process to combine well. Add in the mini chocolate chips and chopped vegan marshmallows then pulse just until combined. Be careful not to over process at this point. Shape into equal sized bars, or roll into bite sized balls and wrap in parchment paper or plastic wrap.
These should keep in the refrigerator for about a week or in an airtight container in the freezer for up to a month.[/print_this]
24 Responses
Meg, you just blew my world. I LOVE these! Thanks for hosting her Beth 🙂
Thanks so much Gabby!!! It’s very nice to meet you.:)
You are both some of my favorites, super L O V E that the two of you are neighbors. It’s like out a little food-blogger movie world.
Meg – these look amazing and it’s a great sweet treat recipe to give to my clients.
XO SHERRIE
Awww Sherrie,
Thank you soooo much! I adore you:)
Hi! These sound scrumptious! I just have a question regarding the marshmallows, I noticed they contain carrageenan which I have read conflicting reports about. Do you know of any marshmallows (or do you have a recipe) that do not contain carrageenan? Or perhaps you know of a substitute ingredient for the marshmallows? My pediatrician insisted this ingredient is especially bad for for breast feeding mothers/babies, so I am unable to consume it in any capacity. Thank you!
Hi Stephanie,
Ok, so I found 2 links for homemade marshmallows, although one uses gelatin so they are no longer vegan and one is vegan, but calls for a small amount of corn syrup which is a scary ingredient itself.
Vegan Marshmallows: http://www.inhabitots.com/how-to-make-homemade-vegan-marshmallows/
Corn syrup free marshmallows: http://lexieskitchen.com/lexies_kitchen/2012/11/8/maple-syrup-sweetened-marshmallows.html
Neither of them contain carrageenan so they might be a better fit for you. However, if you are concerned about the marshmallows you could always leave them out and the energy bites will still be delicious. You can’t really beat the duo of chocolate and cinnamon. Back to the marshmallows in the recipe, there are only 5 or 6 large marshmallows chopped up to equal the 1/2 cup measure so if you make a batch of homemade marshmallows, you won’t need that many to make this recipe. I hope this helps!
Thank you so much! I am going to try these tonight and maybe take them to a super bowl party! 🙂
Yay Stephanie!!! I hope you love them and have a great time at your Superbowl party. 🙂
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you know i tried the vegan marshmallows and gave them a chance. was not impressed. thats just me. so wondering about substitutes… brown rice syrup?
Hi Suzi,
Hmmm.. that’s too bad that you didn’t like them. You can simply leave them out and the energy bites will still be delicious. The dates are really sweet on their own so there is no need for brown rice syrup.
I have dandies on hand; score!
Woohoo!! Get it Suzanne:)
Gah, I need these now! haha. But, seriously, these look delicious and further support my love for medjool dates!
I hope you enjoy them, Brandy! I really love dates too…just can’t find enough ways to use them:)
I didn’t have any marshmallows so I substituted coconut flakes..they were divine!!! Love this recipe, thanks! 🙂
Oh Tracey, that is an amazing idea!! I think I will try mine that way next time too.
I pinned this recipe a few days ago because it looked yummy. I finally made them this afternoon and they turned out amazing. What a tasty and super easy recipe!
Yay Allison! That is so amazing. I am glad you liked them:)
These look amazing!! I will make these for the children for sure, thank you! Look forward to checking out your friends site as well.
Peace & Raw Health,
Elizabeth
Elizabeth, I hope your children love them as much as mine do! I was able to trade a few of these energy bites for unloading the dishwasher the other day with my 12 year old. SCORE!
I used unsweetened coconut instead of marshmallows, and loved them. I actually made a second batch last night already, using cashews instead of walnuts. Loved them both!!!
Look at you developing new energy bite recipes Monica!! I love it. I am going to have to try cashews next time.
Hi Beth,
I would love to make these but I am actually allergic to dates. Do you have a suggestion for a substitution.
Thanks!