No-Bake Almond Butter Bites

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If you need a no-bake snack that will fit your schedule, whatever the day holds, then make a batch of these lightly sweet No-Bake Almond Butter Bites. They are the perfect quick-snack. Made with flaxseed and chia seeds, and then coated in either coarse sugar or more shredded coconut, these bites are easy to make! Recipe tips, tricks, and substitutions included! {Paleo and/or vegan}

Spiriteds, sometimes my favorite baking recipes are actually the no-bake recipes. Thank you for understanding. Like, I want a sweet treat, but I don’t have the time or energy in that particular moment to bring a baked good to fruition. 

So, it’s no-bake recipes to the rescue. Here’s to letting it be easy.

If you are the same, then may I highly suggest these No-Bake Almond Butter Bites? They are absolutely comforting and so satisfying. Three out of four in our family are head-over-heels in love with them. The fourth family member is still firmly on her heels, head held high. But she will periodically nibble on them when she wants a quick bite. And, honestly, she’s got the right approach. These No-Bake Almond Butter Bites meet us where we are, wherever we are in our day.

Our foursome loves to make a batch and coat half in coarse raw sugar and the other half in more shredded coconut. It provides extra variety without reinventing the recipe every time. Also, no one has to remember to turn off the stove because no stove is involved. Thanks to the the coconut oil, these bites hold their shape as they chill. 

Are you ready to no-bake your way through the week, one lightly sweetened bite at at time? Then let’s do this!

No-Bake Almond Butter Bites are

• Vegan and/or paleo (depending on the liquid sweetener you use)
• No-bake (as the recipe title indicates)
• Lightly filling, sweet, and satisfying
• Easy to store and perfect for nibbling on throughout the day

No-Bake Almond Butter Bites are ideal for workday snacks, after school snacks, and even a quick bite at breakfast. They’ll fit your schedule however you need them to!

No-Bake Almond Butter Bites ingredients

• 100% pure maple syrup. This sweetener is perfect with almond butter and is vegan and paleo. But you could also use agave nectar (vegan) or 100% pure honey (paleo).
• Coconut oil. Measure after melting to get the right amount.
• Almond butter. Select a variety that is roasted and unsweetened.
• Dates. Pitted and finely chopped.
• Flaxseed. Ground and ready to go.
• Chia seeds. Admittedly, I love any excuse to add chia seeds to my diet. So I include 3 tablespoons in this recipe. You can adjust up or down, depending on your preference.
• Shredded coconut. Unsweetened and without added ingredients.
• Optional coatings:  Additional shredded coconut or coarse raw sugar.

How to make No-Bake Almond Butter Bites

1. To a high-speed blender, add the 100% pure maple syrup, melted coconut oil, almond butter, dates, flaxseed, chia seeds, and shredded coconut. Pulse several times to combine the ingredients. Stop the blender and scrape the sides of the container. Carefully check under the blades for any stuck ingredients. Then blend on LOW until all ingredients are combined.
2. Transfer the mixture to a wide bowl, cover, and chill for at least 30 minutes to as long as overnight.
3. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Roll the almond butter mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on the cookie sheet. If the almond butter mixture is too firm to handle, then let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes, just long enough to soften for rolling.
4. Coat each almond butter bite in either coarse sugar or additional shredded coconut. Place back in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to let the coating set. Then transfer to an airtight container, placing parchment paper in between each layer of No-Bake Almond Butter Bites and refrigerate.
5. Consume within 1 week. 

Recipe tips and tricks

• Use a high-speed blender. I find a heavy-duty, high-speed blender is useful. This is especially true if the almond butter is thick and challenging to work with.
• If the coconut oil separates from the other ingredients while it chills, that’s okay. You can either knead it back into the mixture or work with the mixture as is. I find that a little lost coconut oil doesn’t alter the outcome of the recipe.
• Once they are made, let the bites sit for a while to allow the chia seeds to absorb some of the liquid in the recipe. Chia seeds are a little sticky and mess, but they pack a lot of nutrients in a relatively small serving. As they sit, they’ll absorb some of the moisture in the bits, which should soften them.

How to soften Medjool dates for recipes

If the dates are really firm, then carefully chop them into small pieces. If they are really hard, then try the “hot cup method” of softening. I got the idea from Food & Wine’s article Does It Hack? Softening Butter Under a Hot Glass. There is a mention of putting butter under one’s armpit to soften it, and the author’s reaction to the suggestion had me in stitches. We won’t be putting the dates under our armpits, unless that feels appealing to you and yours.

For reference, I put 2 cups of water in a 4-cup measuring cup and microwaved it (date-free) for 2 1/2 minutes. Then I poured the water out, placed the dates on a flat cutting board, and tented the cutting board with the empty-but-still-warm measuring cup. I plugged the spout with a napkin and left it for a solid 20 minutes. It actually worked!

If condensation from the measuring cup transfers to the dates, then pat them dry. Now chop them as you would for the recipe. If you don’t want to waste water, then reserve it for watering plants or making tea. I’m partial to Lemon Ginger Tea, Apple Peel Tea, or Homemade Pineapple Iced Tea.

Recipe FAQs

• Can I sub other nut or seed butters? Yes, absolutely! As you do, pay attention to the consistency. You may need to mash any thick, unwieldy nut/seed butters.
• Can I sub another liquid sweetener? Also yes and absolutely!  It will alter the flavor somewhat but should still be delicious! Keep an eye on how viscous or sticky the sweetener is (looking right at you, 100% pure honey!). Some that are really thick will require extra blending to combine everything together. In addition to 100% pure honey you could also use agave nectar. Whatever you sub, you’ll need it in liquid form and at the same amount as what is listed to maintain the balance of wet and dry ingredients.
• What if I don’t have or don’t want to use coconut oil? Could I try something else? I have not tried this. And I would hesitate to make a switch because you’ll need the coconut oil to hold everything together. Coconut oil firms as it chills, which keeps the bites intact instead of running all over the place.
• Is it possible to double the recipe? This depends on how thick the nut or seed butter is and how up-to-the-task your blender is. I make these No-Bake Almond Butter Bites just one batch at a time to prevent my blender from overworking.
• Can I make these using a food processor? We tried making them in a food processor and found the blades didn’t pull the ingredients together that well. However, you may have better luck, depending on the consistency of the almond butter and the machine you are using.

More quick snacks!

If you are in the mood for no-bake snacks that go with you on the fly, then tuck Gluten-Free Almond Butter Oatmeal Bites and Chocolate-Drizzled Matcha Energy Bites into your recipe tin for a rainy day. Or a sunny day. Cloudy days also work.

Spiriteds, stay well and stay wild. Jump into the fun when you can, and always remember I’m glad you’re here. ❤️

No-Bake Almond Butter Bites

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If you need a no-bake snack that will fit your schedule, whatever the day holds, then make a batch of these lightly sweet No-Bake Almond Butter Bites. They are the perfect quick-snack. Made with flaxseed and chia seeds, and then coated in either coarse sugar or more shredded coconut, these bites are easy to make! Recipe tips, tricks, and substitutions included! {Paleo and/or vegan}

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Chill: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 15 bites 1x
• Category: Appetizers and Snacks
• Method: No-Bake
• Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup 100% pure maple syrup
• 1/4 cup melted coconut oil (measure after melting)
• 1 cup almond butter
• 4 Medjool dates, pitted and finely chopped
• 1/4 cup ground flaxseed
• 2–3 tablespoons chia seeds
• 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
• Optional coatings: Coarse raw sugar or shredded coconut

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Instructions

1. To a high-speed blender, add the 100% pure maple syrup, melted coconut oil, almond butter, dates, flaxseed, chia seeds, and shredded coconut. Pulse several times to combine the ingredients. Stop the blender and scrape the sides of the container. Carefully check under the blades for any stuck ingredients. Then blend on LOW until all ingredients are combined.
2. Transfer the mixture to a wide bowl, cover, and chill for at least 30 minutes to as long as overnight.
3. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Roll the almond butter mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on the cookie sheet. If the almond butter mixture is too firm to handle, then let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes, just long enough to soften for rolling.
4. Coat each almond butter bite in either coarse sugar or additional shredded coconut. Place back in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to let the coating set. Then transfer to an airtight container, placing parchment paper in between each layer of No-Bake Almond Butter Bites and refrigerate.
5. Consume within 1 week.

Notes

• Sub other nut or seed butters. However, pay attention to the consistency. You may need to mash any thick, unwieldy nut/seed butters. 
• In place of 100% pure maple syrup, you can also use 100% pure honey or agave nectar.
• To prevent overworking the blades while still ensuring a smooth consistency, this recipe is best prepared in a high-speed blender, one batch at a time.
• Please see the blog post for additional tips and suggestions, including how to soften hardened Medjool dates.