Healthy Chocolate Cacao Nib Truffles {gluten-free, vegan}

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You guys know how much I love healthy excuses for eating chocolate, right? I'm a particularly big fan of sneaking dark chocolate into healthy snacks, like coconut balls and protein bars. So really, this recipe is right up my alley. Today we're mixing that dark chocolate with a little cocoa powder, cacao nibs, almonds, and oats to make a mid-day energy snack that also functions as an (almost guilt-free) dessert!

The best part is that literally every single ingredient in these little energy balls/healthy truffles has some sort of nutritional benefit - except maybe the agave, which is used in such a small amount it's negligible. They follow the same concept that's become super popular in the past few years (aka blend dates with nuts/oats/other flavors to make a pasty mixture that will hold together in a bar/ball shape), but with a little bit of an indulgent twist because we're dunking each one in dark chocolate. It makes it slightly less snack and slightly more dessert, all while using whole-food ingredients and remaining gluten-free & vegan: win-win-win. They're not super sweet or rich, but definitely make for a satisfy-your-cravings type treat when the mood strikes. And did I mention they're easy to make? SO easy.

I mean really, why are you even still reading? Go pull out your food processor & let's eat some healthy truffles!

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Healthy Chocolate Cacao Nib Truffles {gluten-free, vegan, refined sugar free}

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A healthy, satisfying snack that tastes like dessert, with a deep cocoa flavor accompanied by a strong vanilla essence and crunchy bits of cacao nibs in every bite.

• Yield: 20 truffles 1x

Ingredients

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• 6 ⅞ ounces (1 ¼ cups) pitted & halved medjool dates
• 5 ¼ ounces (1 ½ cups) sliced almonds, toasted*
• 2 ⅞ ounces (⅞ cup) rolled oats**, toasted*
• 1 ¾ ounces (½ cup) cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon espresso powder
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• 2 ounces (¼ cup) coffee or espresso
• 2 tablespoons agave syrup
• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
• 2 ⅛ ounces (½ cup) cacao nibs
• 8-9 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped (for dairy-free and sugar-free, I recommend Lily’s Sweets baking bar)

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Instructions

1. In a food processor fitted with the steel blade attachment, combine the dates, almonds, oats, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and sea salt and process until well-combined and fine in texture. Add the coffee, agave, and vanilla extract and process in until evenly incorporated and mixture begins clumping together, making sure no liquid has settled on the bottom. Pulse in the cacao nibs until dispersed.
2. Line a plate or tray with parchment and roll mixture into 1 ounce balls (about the size of ping-pong balls). Refrigerate until slightly firm, about 1 hour.
3. Melt chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl for 30-second increments, stirring in between, just until smoothly melted. Dip each ball into chocolate with a small spoon or fork, coating completely and letting excess drip off. Gently slide back onto parchment to set. Once all truffles have been dipped, refrigerate until fully set. If desired, use a knife to trim off any excess chocolate around bottom of truffles once set.
4. Store truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Notes

*To toast almonds and oats, spread out on a baking sheet and bake at 350ºF for about 10 minutes, until fragrant and turning golden.

**Use gluten-free oats to ensure this recipe is 100% gluten-free.

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