Major Yum Choco Crispy Peanut Butter Energy Bites

On Sunday's I like to go out to my local co-op, (Hi Lakwinds in Minneapolis!) have a cup of their wonderful coffee and a small treat.  They have wonderful free magazine issues and I sit, read and enjoy.  What a great way to recharge and start my week!
Last week, I tried some energy bites and I thought they were pretty good, but as I am prone, I try to think of how I can make it better.  If kept in the fridge they are crispy, but if warmed to room temp they are soft and chewy. They are my new favorite thing to snack on. This is so much fun! 


1/2 cup raw cashews, finely chopped or pulsed in processor
1/4 c raw sunflower seeds
1/4 c sesame seeds
dash sea salt
2T whey or plant protein (optional)
2T magic mix (see my blog for recipe)
1/2 c chocolate crispy cereal (I used Love Grown Comet Crispies)
1/2 c unsweetened coconut, put 1/4 c aside
1/4 cup organic, no sugar peanut butter
1/4 c Brown Rice Syrup ( I used Lundberg's)
6 pitted medjool dates, softened in warm water,



Combine all the dry ingredients (using 1/4 cup of the coconut) in a bowl and stir to combine.

In processor, put (drained) dates and a couple of tablespoons of dry mix. Make into a paste.  Add this to the dry ingredients along with the peanut butter and rice syrup. Mix until well combined.  There is only one way for me to do this...with my hands. Get in there and get dirty! 

It will be a little sticky.

(I have to admit that when I was done, I ate it off my fingers because I didn't want to waste it! My family walked by and just shook their heads.  Just another day with mom in the kitchen)

There are two ways you can proceed:
1. Roll into individual balls and roll in reserved coconut.
2. Line a square pan with parchment.  Spread reserved coconut on a plate and roll the whole thing around in the coconut.  This will help you press it and also make it look nice.  Refrigerate at least 1 hour.  Lift parchment out of pan and cut into squares.
Store in a container in the fridge.  Warm a little at room temp if you'd like them softer. 
People will fight over these!