I was inspired to make these when I was making a batch of healthy donut holes for a presentation last week.
Mmm delicious!
I had some dried cranberries left over from another recipe for a grain-free apple tart that I made recently, and I had one or two oranges in my fridge.
Oranges and cranberries go well together, especially with a hint of ginger, so I did a little experimenting and ended up with these little hunks of yumminess!
These are a quick and easy option for a grab-and-go breakfast, pre or post workout snack, afternoon snack, or even dessert, just like last week’s Paleo Pecan Pie Poppers!
These could also be called “Energy Bites” because of the combination of healthy fats and protein from the nuts and almond butter, fiber from the dates, and blood-sugar stabilizing cinnamon. The orange zest is also energizing and adds a little something special.
They are SO GOOD! There’s just enough orange flavor from the zest, and it pairs nicely with the tartness from the cranberries and mild bite from the ginger.
These little treats are addictive. You’ve been warned 🙂
Yield: 16-18 Bites
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raw almonds
- 1/2 cup raw walnuts
- 1 cup Medjool dates, pitted
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries (Try to use cranberries sweetened with apple juice instead of sugar)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon orange zest (Use a microplane or other fine grater to grate the skin of the orange…AKA the “zest”) OR 3 drops therapeutic grade Wild Orange essential oil
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 cup raw almond butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: shredded, unsweetened coconut
Directions
- In the food processor fitted with the “s” blade, grind the almonds and walnuts until finely ground.
- Add the dates, cranberries, spices, orange zest and salt and grind until blended.
- Add the almond butter and vanilla extract and process again until completely mixed.
- Form into balls about 1 inch in diameter, and, if you like coconut, roll in shredded coconut.