Apart from my slow-cooker jambalaya, it’s been a while since I’ve posted a legitimate recipe. While these Healthy Brownie Bites are hardly complicated enough to fit that category, I have to share something with you all!

Maybe it’s that high metabolism of mine, but having healthy snacks on hand is necessary for my—and my peers’—survival. Being able to calm my sweet tooth without reaching for a Snickers or bag of M&M’s is equally important.

Thankfully, these snack-sized, naturally-sweetened brownie bites fit both bills.

Healthy Brownie Bites

yields 12 1-inch bites

Ingredients

• ½ cup pitted Medjool dates
• 1 cup raw pecans
• ¼ cup unsweetened flaked coconut
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• ½ tsp instant espresso powder
• pinch of salt

Directions

1. Soak the pitted dates for about 30 minutes and drain fully.
2. In a food processor, process the pecans until finely ground (be careful not to over-process).
3. Add in the dates, coconut, cocoa, espresso powder, and salt; process till combined.
4. Next, roll portions of the mixture into 1-inch balls.
5. Allow to firm up in the freezer or refrigerator; store in the refrigerator.

I enjoy these straight out of the refrigerator, but they’re also tasty when allowed to reach room temperature. Either way, they’re perfect ammunition for taming a snack/chocolate craving.