No-Bake Protein Bites

No-Bake Protein Bites:

Lemon Coconut

Ingredients

1. 8 Medjool dates, pitted

2. 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

3. Zest and juice of 1 large lemon

4. 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

5. 1/2 cup almond flour

6. 1 scoop (30g) vanilla protein powder (I used Vega Vanilla Protein + Greens)

7. Pinch of salt

8. 1/4 cup almond milk (plus more, if needed)

9. Unsweetened shredded coconut, for rolling

Directions

Place dates, applesauce, lemon juice, lemon zest and vanilla in a large food processor. Process until dates look nearly pureed and mixture is very-well combined.

Add coconut flour, protein powder and salt. Process until mixture forms a smooth ball of “dough.” (If mixture looks too dry, add almond milk. If it looks too wet, add coconut flour.)

Roll into 12 balls. Place about 1/2 cup shredded coconut in a small bowl and roll balls in coconut, if desired. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Apple Pie Protein Balls

Ingredients

1. 1/2 cup sliced almonds

2. 1/3 cup walnuts or pecans

3. 1/4 cup rolled  oats

4. 3/4 cup chopped dried apple slices, lightly packed (UNSWEETENED OR DEHYDRATED AT HOME)

5. 1/2 cup pitted Medjool dates

6. 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

7. 1 teaspoon lemon zest, finely grated (OPTIONAL)

8. 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

9. 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated

10. 1/4 teaspoon salt

11. 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut, finely shredded

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°F (177ºC). Place the almonds, walnuts and oats on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until lightly toasted, 8 minutes. Set aside and allow the mixture to cool completely.

Place the apples and dates in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add the toasted nuts and oats, vanilla, lemon zest, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and pulse until the mixture is finely chopped and forms clumps, about 30 pulses.

Roll the mixture into 14 balls, about 1 tablespoon each. Roll the balls in the coconut. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 1 month.