Recipe ReDux: Brownie Bites

This month’s Recipe ReDux theme is “Bars and Bites for Brown Bags.” It’s actually very fitting that this comes at a time when I’m running around like crazy (to be fair, when am I not?). You see, for two weeks every summer, my family goes down the shore. This year, I’m back and forth during the week so that I can go to work. This means that my fridge is annoyingly empty yet I have little desire to fill it.

But I still have to make my lunch so that I have anything to eat at work. That’s where these brownie bites come in! These bites are delicious, packed with seedy goodness, feel like a decadent indulgence, and can happily hang out in my fridge or freezer while I ignore them half the week.

Similar to my no bake oatmeal cookies, these brownie bites start with nuts and dates. The dates keep things together while the nuts add some heft. Then I add seeds. Here, I chose a mixture of chia and hemp seeds because, well, they happen to be in front of my face when I made these. Sesame or flax seeds would also work well, or replace the seeds with the equivalent amount of ground walnuts and call it a day. Finally, some cocoa powder and vanilla are added in to round out all the flavors.

Take the mush, roll it into balls, pop them in the fridge, and consider dessert for the week made. For me, I like to eat these as my afternoon indulgence snack. You know, around 3 pm when you’re not really hungry but you need a quick break from work? Yea, that’s when I eat these. It’s like a quick piece of paradise in the middle of the afternoon.

What snacks go into your lunch box?

Brownie Bites
Makes 16 bites

Ingredients:

1/2 cup ground walnuts

1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 tablespoon hulled hemp seeds
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
10 Medjool dates, pitted
2 tablespoons water

Additional cocoa powder, for coating (optional)

Instructions:

1. Add all the ingredients into a food processor and pulse until a sticky dough is formed.

2. Scoop out the dough by the heaping tablespoon and roll each section into a ball. Roll the balls in cocoa powder if desired.

3. Store the brownie bites in the fridge or freezer and serve cool.

Enjoy!

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