Who knew you could eat something so decadently chocolatey whilst following a raw food diet? Featuring raw cacao and cacao nibs, these energy bites are both healthy and delicious.

Ingredients:
1 cup raw seeds or nuts of choice
1/4 cup cacao or cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp sea salt
1 cup medjool dates, pitted and chopped
1-3 tbsp water
1/4 cup cacao nibs or chocolate chips
cacao powder or unsweetened shredded coconut, optional for coating

Directions:
1. Place seeds/nuts in a food processor, and process until finely ground. Pulse in cacao, vanilla, and salt.
2. Add in the chopped dates and water, 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough comes together nicely. Process until all ingredients are distributed evenly (you may need to stop a few times and scrape down the sides and separate the dough if it forms a ball).
3. Pulse in the cacao nibs or chips.
4. Roll pieces of the dough into small, tablespoon-sized balls. You may roll them in the cacao powder, shredded coconut, or any other toppings of choice.
5. Place your energy bites in a container in the refrigerator or freezer for at least 30 minutes, then serve!

Recipe via createnourishlove.com

OK, who out there doesn't love Nutella? This energy bite recipe boosts the delicious Nutella flavor by adding in roasted hazelnuts, as well as honey and shredded coconut. Flax seeds, chia seeds, and oats add in some extra protein and fiber as well.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
2/3 cup Nutella
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup roasted hazelnuts
2 Tbsp. ground flax seeds
1 Tbsp. chia seeds
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. salt

Directions:
1. Combine all ingredients together in a food processor and pulse until combined. Cover mixture and transfer to the refrigerator, and let cool for about 30-60 minutes. (This will slightly harden the mixture and make it easier to form into balls.)
2. When mixture is cool, remove and roll into balls of your desired size. (Mine were about 1-inch in diameter.) Enjoy immediately, or refrigerate in a covered container.

Recipe via gimmesomeoven.com

Talk about having your cake and eating it too! This carrot cake-inspired protein ball recipe is still majorly healthy, even though it includes some tasty frosting.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup nut butter
1 cup quick oats
1/3 cup raisins
3/4 cup whey protein, vanilla
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
1/2 cup finely shredded carrots
2 Tbsp sugar-free honey or additional sweetener
*optional 2 Tbsp of milk

Frosting (Optional):
1/4 cup yogurt chips
1 tsp coconut oil


Directions:
1. In a large bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients (oats, whey protein, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves) Then mix in the raisins and carrots.
2. Add in the peanut butter, honey and mix until it starts to come together. Add in the milk to make the dough a good consistency to roll into balls.
3. Roll into balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Chill in the fridge and store in fridge or freezer in a sealed container.
5. For the frosting, in a small bowl add in the yogurt chips and coconut oil, microwave in 30 second increments stirring after each 30 seconds until melted.

Recipe via busybuthealthy.com

You love your protein balls for the boost... so why not add even more boost by introducing some caffeine to the equation? Honestly, you can't beat that rich mocha flavor.

Ingredients:
1/2 c raw cashews or almonds
1/2 c gluten-free oats
2 T ground flax
1 scoop vanilla or chocolate protein powder
8 Medjool pitted dates
1 tsp vanilla extract, optional
1/3c espresso almond butter, or nut butter of choice
1-2 T water, as needed*
2 T sweet cacao nibs or chopped dark chocolate
2 T chopped espresso beans

Directions:
1. In a food processor grind nuts and oats into a coarse to fine powder depending on how much texture you want.
2. Add flax and protein powder and pulse to combine.
3. Add dates, vanilla, and almond butter and process until mixture comes together add water as needed. Dough should stick together when pinched between two fingers.
4. Pulse in cacao nibs/chocolate and espresso beans. Remove mixture from food processor and roll into balls.
5. Store in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to enjoy!

Recipe via awhiskandtwowands.com

Here's another great protein ball recipe that will add a little dose of caffeine into your snacking experience. Plus, antioxidant-packed matcha green tea fits all the trends, and with good reason -- it's got a distinct yet delicate flavor.

Ingredients:
1 cup shredded coconut, unsweetened
4 Tbsp almond flour
2 Tbsp maple syrup, more or less to taste*
1 Tbsp coconut oil
1 Tbsp matcha green tea

Directions:
1. Blend everything together in a food processor.
2. Shape into 1" balls and enjoy!
3. Store in the refrigerator.

Recipe via livingwellmom.com