Those of you who follow along with me on instagram will know that over the last few months I have developed a soft spot for certain clean eating protein packed snack bars.

Ok so maybe it’s more than a soft spot . . . possibly borderline addiction.

OK it may possibly, just slightly be turning into full blown, all out, intervention style addiction.

I mean I have to have one every. single. day. If its not a quest protein bar it’s raw revolution. Sometimes both.Ok maybe not both in one day but I may have considered it . . . on more than one occasion.  I couldn’t possibly choose between them, they are just so good.

But if I think about how much money I may possibly be spending on this little . . . habit of mine . . . yeah let’s just not think about that. Let’s just make something delicious, healthy and intensely chocolatey to take their place . . . not permanently just taking a little break. You know . . . some healthy separation . . . absence makes the heart grow fonder and all that right . . . ?! Well at least it gives me some time to save up for my next fix.

Simple, healthy, fudgey chocolate energy bites studded with sweet, buttery hazelnuts, just yes!

You guys . . . these Chocolate Hazelnut Bliss bites are insane! Seriously heavenly. Absolutely ddddiiivvviiiinnnnneeeeee!!!!

So chocolately, so fudgey, so simple to make and did I mention they are also totally healthy?

These chocolate hazelnut bliss bites are sweetened naturally with dates and a splash of vanilla, so theres no added sugar. They are also antioxidant rich with the addition of dark cocoa powder and just a sprinkling of dark chocolate chips. The chocolate flavour is intensified with a pinch of instant espresso, all blissfully mellowed out and tied together with some subtly sweet, buttery goodness from the hazelnuts. Like I said, heavenly!

These Healthy Chocolate Hazelnut Bliss Bites will satisfy the strongest of chocolate cravings, guilt free with no post sugar crash.

Perfect with your morning coffee

Perfect as part of your pre workout power up

Perfect for your post workout reward

Perfect to pull you through that dreaded afternoon slump

Perfect little post dinner indulgence.

Simply blend, roll, eat and repeat.

Simple ingredients, simple to make, simply guilt free (not to mention simply money saving ;))

Simply perfect ♥

Healthy Chocolate Hazelnut Bliss Bites
Makes approx 55 healthy blissful bites of energy packed deliciousness

Ingredients –

3/4 cup almonds

6 large dates (I use medjool)

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

2 Tablespoons of cocoa powder (I love to use Hershey’s special Dark ♥)

1/4 teaspoon of instant espresso granules

a pinch of salt flakes

2 Tablespoons of raw hazelnuts, skins removed – roughly chopped and lightly toasted (toasting is totally optional)

2 Tbsp dark chocolate chips

Method –

1 – Place a fry pan over low/medium heat and toss in your hazelnuts. Toast your hazelnuts for a 2-3 mins until slightly golden and smelling divine. Be sure you  shake the pan occasionally to stir them around so they don’t catch and burn. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. This step is totally optional but I love the flavour of the slightly toasted hazelnuts.

2 – Place almonds in a food processor and pulse until they look crumbly.

3 – Add dates to the almond mix and pulse until they start to combine with the almonds.

4 – Add vanilla, cocoa powder, salt flakes and espresso powder and pulse again until a sticky dough starts to form.

5 – Add chocolate chips and hazelnuts pulse a few more times until just combined.

6 – Transfer your giant chocolate hazelnut bliss ball to a larger bowl and using your hands, roll approx 1 Tbsp of mixture unto little rounds then pop them  directly into your mouth a sealed container (or even just a ziplock bag) and store in the fridge until your ready to devour

Enjoy xoxo

____________________________________________________________________________

Question of the day –

What is your all time, hands down, all time fave snack? Store bought or homemade, feel free to share links to recipes or special treats 🙂 Sharing is caring remember