How's that title for alliteration!? This is my favorite zero waste snack. These brownie bites are super quick and easy to make... plus, they're mega chocolatey.
The brownie bites contain no processed white sugar, instead they're sweetened by dates. They're dense, fudgey, and super satisfying.
I make them almost every week. They tend to show up in my instagram stories, and I get a ton of DMs for the recipe.
I have shared the recipe on my Instagram feed, but it takes quite a bit of scrolling to get to. I figure, if it's so popular it should have it's own place, right here, on the blog.
Plus, I can answer some of the questions I normally get.
The bliss balls are pretty filling. I eat one or two and I'm left feeling satisfied and my sweet tooth satiated.
Walnuts are high in heart-healthy alpha linoleic acid (ALA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid, and the dates are full of fiber both of which help you feel full.
Dates are also packed with loads of vitamins and minerals like calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and zinc.
It's a dessert or snack you can feel great about eating!
Are they a snack? dessert?
I eat them for breakfast, for a snack, and dessert! They're great any time of the day, the dates do have quite a bit of natural sugar and it does put a little spring in your step.
I wouldn't recommend eating one right before going to bed.
You might also like: Cookie Dough Bliss Balls & 5 Zero Waste Snacks
My mixture didn't come together?
After making this recipe a whole bunch, I've realized it really relies on the freshness of your walnuts. Fresh walnuts have a lot of natural oil allowing them to breakdown very easily. The older they get, the harder it is to break down.
Just by eating a nut, you'll be able to tell how fresh it is. They're really soft and you can taste the oil some of it might even rub off on your finger tips.
If the nuts are crunchier and you can't feel or taste the oil, you might be better off subbing 1/2 a cup of nut butter or breaking the walnuts down into nut butter before adding the rest of the ingredients.
Check out my guide to making nut butter.
I only have dried dates?
Soak the dried dates in water for a couple hours then you can use them for the recipe.
Can I use any type of nut?
Yes, you can use any type of nut or nut butter - even sunbutter! This recipe is very forgiving and it doesn't have to be followed exactly. Sometimes, I even throw in a little bit of coconut butter for a tropical feel.
There are no rules. Be crazy.
Brownie Bite Bliss Balls
Ingredients, Makes 12, 10 Minutes
- 12 pitted dates - fresh not dried!
- 1 cup of oats
- 3/4 cup of raw walnuts
- 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder
- pinch of salt
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Steps
- Throw in a food processor and process until it becomes a solid ball.
- Roll into smaller balls should make about 12
- I sprinkled sesame seeds on top to make them look pretty, although it's entirely unnecessary.
All of these ingredients are fairly common in bulk bins. If you're struggling with finding these items package free check out my guide on what to do when you don't have any bulk bins.
