During my summers as an undergrad in college, I worked full-time in a chemistry research lab. After waking up at 6 am to run, shower, and eat, I arrived on campus by 9 alongside the grad students. Slightly bleary-eyed, we exchanged pleasantries, slipped into long white lab coats, pulled on bright purple nitrile gloves, and slid on our safety glasses.
From 9 until 6 (minus an hour-long lunch break), I stayed in my super attractive chemistry gear. In my designated workspace—half of a 6-foot-long fume hood—I poured clear chemicals and white powders into my sparkling clean round-Christmas-ornament-shaped glassware and spent hours stirring, rinsing, evaporating, and separating the reactions’ products.
Some days, I stayed late to access the analytical equipment in the basement: huge magnets that looked like oversized R2D2’s. (One of them stood nearly 10 feet tall, and everyone had to climb a full-sized ladder to read the top!) The machines would spit out strangely shaped graphs that looked like pointy mountain peaks for us to stare at and interpret. Oddly enough, those mountain ranges actually told us whether we synthesized the correct thing!
The days after one of those late-night sessions, I always needed an extra snack break during the afternoon to help me stay awake. I easily convinced the grad students to head across the courtyard to the snack shack across the way, where they’d pick up coffee and I’d buy dark chocolate. Although my candy bar rarely gave me a good energy boost, it still motivated me to get back to work!
But these Chocolate Fig Energy Bites will definitely do both! Packed with protein and dried fruit for a quick energy boost, they’re perfect for the 3 pm munchies. They fit almost any diet—including gluten-free, nut-free, vegan, and clean eating. With their deep chocolaty flavor and fudgy texture, they practically taste like healthy brownie bites!
This low-calorie recipe is one of the simplest you’ll ever make! The hardest part? Making the fig paste. My secret trick is to hydrate the figs in the microwave; it helps soften them really quickly! Then pulse them in a food processor with the remaining liquid until thick and smooth. Easy peasy!
It’s really important to let the fig paste to cool. Stick it in the fridge to speed up the process. If it’s still warm, the fig paste will start to melt the chocolate chips, and the mixture will stick to your hands a little more as your shape the energy balls. (Not a horrible thing… But I much prefer to taste the little chunks of chocolate instead!)
Once that’s cool, simply stir it together with the oats, cocoa, and protein powder. I used Plant Fusion Vanilla Bean protein powder. It’s gluten-free, soy-free, low-sugar, vegan, and actually tastes good! I can’t stand the flavor of whey—it always induces my gag reflex—but this plant-based protein powder just tastes like vanilla with no strange aftertastes.
Now add in the chocolate chips and mold the mixture into balls. It’ll probably stick to your hands a bit, but not nearly as bad as my favorite truffles! Place the energy bites on wax paper as you finish rolling, and store them in an airtight container on the countertop for a few days… If they last that long!
With their tempting chocolate chunks and sweet earthy flavor, these Chocolate Fig Energy Bites didn’t stand a chance in my kitchen! Unlike most goodies that I re-home as soon as I finish their photo shoot, I didn’t share a single one of these bites and polished them off in less than 2 days. I even nibbled on a few as dessert after dinner instead of extra fudgy brownies—they’re that good!
Chocolaty energy snacks = ♥
These energy snacks are packed with protein and two types of chocolate. They basically taste like brownie bites! Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days—if they last that long!
- Add the figs and water to a large microwave-safe bowl, and microwave on HIGH for 1 minute. Let the mixture cool for 5 minutes before adding the hydrated figs and leftover water to a food processor. Pulse until smooth. Let the mixture cool completely to room temperature. (Place in the refrigerator to speed up the process.)
- Add the oats, protein powder, and cocoa powder to a medium bowl, and stir until thoroughly combined. Mix in the fig paste until fully incorporated. Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Lay a sheet of wax paper on a large plate. Shape the chocolate mixture into 32 balls, placing each on the wax paper after rolling.
Ohh, these look delicious! I love the idea of using figs with chocolate. It’s a combination I’ll have to try soon!
Thanks Beth! I can’t get enough figs these days, and since I’m a permanent chocoholic, it was only a matter of time before I paired the two. 😉 I hope you enjoy the combination!
What an interesting recipe! I would have never thought to use figs, so I love this combination! Great way to sneak it in!
Thanks Gayle! They’re one of my favorite dried fruits right now, and I’ll take any excuse I can to eat more. 😉
I don’t think I could have done that, chocolate and coffee or not! Wow, that is some stamina right there. I would’ve needed a whole container of these and then some! What a great use of figs, Amy, and thanks for adding in the chocolate chips 😉
Aww thank you Mary Frances! Life in lab was a lot better because of the people I worked with. It’s the main reason I stuck with it so long! (And, umm, the free AC during the 100° summers… 😉 ) You know me — I’ll add in chocolate chips wherever I can!!
Another awesome thing I need to try – figs! Yes, I’ve never had one. But I want these!
Oh my gosh, I totally wish I had planned ahead and made a batch to pack. I would’ve shared them with you at the hotel! I don’t know that I’ve had fresh figs, but the dried ones are probably my favorite fruit. I love them almost as much as chocolate, so you know that’s saying something! 😉 One of my friends recommended smearing a little PB on dried figs, and it’s honestly the best healthy “dessert” ever. I figure that might be up your alley!
I have been wanting to buy a food processor for some time now. My blender does fantastic with most things, but dates and figs get sticky…literally. These look AMAZING, and may be the push I need to make that purchase..HAHA.
I actually thought about making these using a blender — glad I didn’t! I own a 25+-year-old food processor that I “borrowed” from my parents. The lid is a little leaky, so anything liquid tends to squirt out and get ALL over the place. Not fun to clean up. 😉 But anything newer than that is probably perfectly fine! I’ve heard really great things about Ninja’s food processors, and since I absolutely adore my blender by them, they’re probably worth checking out! (P.S. Kohl’s almost always has a good sale going on that brand!)
Mmm! You know, I’ve seen these energy bite recipes floating around the web, and I’ve always been intrigued but have never tried one… because I’m afraid I’d just eat it all out of the bowl before I rolled them into balls!! This looks delicious though!
Thanks Andrea! I was definitely tempted, but I knew I needed to take at least a few photographs before inhaling all of that chocolate… 😉 I’ve been hesitant to try other energy bites because they’re usually full of unnecessary fats (which do provide a lot of calories/energy!), but I loved how light and satisfied I felt after eating these. I’m seriously contemplating keeping a permanent stash in my kitchen, and as a food blogger, you know that’s saying a lot! 😉
First recipe from your blog that I have made and I loved them. I have been looking for healthier sweets and meals that I don’t feel guilty eating.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the energy bites Karyn! I’m excited to hear what you try next!
I really want to try these – all of them! For the energy bites, do you think I could use fresh figs instead of rehydrated ones? How thick should the fig paste be? I’m wondering if I’d need to add any water in the food processor…
If using fresh, go ahead and skip the water Jennifer! Mix the paste in with the dry ingredients, and if the dough is too sticky, you can add water 1 tablespoon at a time then. I’d love to hear how the fresh figs work for you!
What do you think about using steel cut oats instead? I have a huge stock of 3-min steel cut oats on hand because I am an oatmeal fiend. I think I’m gonna try it.
I do not recommend substituting steel cut oats. They have a different texture, and they’ll stay dry and almost crunchy, whereas old-fashioned oats soften in the mixture. I’d love to hear what you think if you try the energy bites!