I swore I didn’t like Nutella. I’m not sure if I’ve ever had it, but as a kid I ate way too many Ferrero Rocher chocolates and the thought of chocolate hazelnut anything made me feel ill. That was until my kids tried Nutella and loved it and I had to find a healthier version to buy. I was wrong. Chocolate and Hazelnut can be together again…in a healthier, reduced-sugar, dark version form. I can eat that stuff straight with a spoon.
My kids don’t even know the difference between Nutella and the healthier stuff I buy, however, the only downside is that I have to supervise the use of this hazelnut spread. Just last week, one lucky piece of toast was the recipient of half a jar of it. So, to help make the jar last a bit longer, while satisfying their desire (and mine) for Nutella, I decided to incorporate some healthier items with the it. These little bites serve as an easy and satisfying dessert for my girls and myself.
Makes 12 large balls or 24 small bites.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup oat flour (or 1 cup large flake oats blended until fine)
- 1/2 cup organic dark hazelnut spread (I use Nutiva)
- 1 cup medjool dates, pitted (approximately 8-10)
- 1/4 cup hemp hearts
- 2 teaspoons cocoa powder
- pinch of salt
DIRECTIONS
- Put all of the ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth. Adjust ingredients to your personal taste. Note: Sometimes it helps to blend up the dates first if you don’t want to see or get pieces of dates in your bites. I like the little pieces, and I don’t want an extra step, so I just blend it all together.
- Form into balls. Store in fridge or freezer.
Running With Veggies 
Published by