Peppermint Chocolate Chip Snack Bites {vegan + gluten free}

Earlier this week, I sent out a health coaching newsletter with tips to avoid holiday weight gain (you can subscribe via the signup form on the right sidebar! –>), and one of my guidelines is to implement an 80/20 diet balance.

I’ve talked about this concept before, but it’s the idea that 80% of your calories are from nutritious, healthy choices, and for the other 20%, you enjoy whatever indulgences you’re in the mood for. I apply this to my diet not only during the holiday season but year-round, because I believe that moderation is what works in the long haul for a healthy, sustainable relationship with food… which brings me to today’s recipe!

We all know that December is ripe with food and drink indulgences. I adore baking Christmas cookies and drinking seasonal drinks like spiked warm cider, but I also balance those treats out with healthy, light meals and a very active lifestyle.

One way that I balance out my sweet tooth is whipping up recipes that are healthy and clean, but taste like dessert. I think that many of you frequent blog readers know that this is one of my specialties! Today’s recipe is a good example of this.

Made with oats, dates, hemp hearts, and cocoa, these snack balls give you a taste of peppermint cookie goodness while being healthy, vegan and gluten + refined sugar free.  

All you need to make these snack bites is 8 ingredients (including a pinch of salt) and a food processor!

At 80 calories a pop, these snack bites made the perfect little healthy holiday season dessert — for the times when you don’t want to splurge.

I’ve been loving having one or two chocolate peppermint snack bites with a cup of tea. I like drinking a Trader Joe’s peppermint green tea for a perfect pairing. It makes for one peppermint-y snack!

And since these balls are easy to throw in a bag and carry around, I’m also planning on bringing some of them with me when I travel later this month.  

I do want to reinforce that the 80/20 guideline is about balance, not deprivation. I hope that you enjoy those holiday treats guilt-free when you’re really in the mood for them. I know I will!

Peppermint Chocolate Chip Snack Bites {vegan + gluten free}

Foodie Loves Fitness

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Servings 12

Calories 80 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2/3 cup pitted dates 16-20 dates
• 2/3 cup dry old fashioned oats
• 2 TBSP hemp hearts
• 2 TBSP dairy free mini chocolate chips
• 2 TBSP brown rice syrup maple syrup or agave works too
• 1 TBSP cocoa powder
• 1/2 TSP peppermint extract
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

 

• Place all ingredients except the chocolate chips in a food processor. Pulse until it forms a doughy mixture.
• Scrape down the sides if necessary, and add in the chocolate chips. Pulse for another 10 seconds.
• Remove the mixture from the food processor and roll into 12 balls.
• Enjoy! These can be stored in the fridge or at room temperature.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 80kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 2gFat: 2gFiber: 2gSugar: 7g

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Tell me… How do you find balance in your diet during the holiday season?