Fruit & Nut Energy Bites
Ingredients:
8 - 10 dates (Deglet Noor variety) or 6 Medjool dates
1-1/2 cups almond meal
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup almond butter (or other nut butter)
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
2 tbsp. coconut flour
1 tbsp. arrowroot flour
1/2 tsp. sea salt
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup chopped nuts (pecans, cashew, macadamia, etc.)
1 cup dried fruit, roughly chopped (cherries, figs, apricots, etc.)
Directions:
Soak the dates in warm water for 20 mins. to soften them up. Drain, then add to the bowl of a food processor with the almond meal, coconut oil, almond butter, maple syrup & vanilla extract. Pulse until smooth & sticky. Add in the remaining ingredients & pulse again until a dough forms. Scrape out into a bowl & roll into small balls (slightly smaller than golf balls) or pat into a greased 8x8" pan for cutting into bars. (If putting in a smaller pan, it's best to put wax or parchment paper between layers to keep them from sticking together). Refrigerate & store for up to 1 week. Makes approx. 16 balls.