Paleo + Vegan Sweet & Salty Macadamia Coconut Bites
When I think of summer flavors, tropical flavors always come to mind first (maybe it’s just wishful thinking that I was on a beach somewhere in Hawaii…). Pineapple, mango, coconut and macadamia nuts are probably the top four flavors (ingredients? Idk what to call them LOL) that make my tastebuds scream SUMMER. And anything macadamia coconut TOGETHER is the actual best. I wanted to step away from the fruitiness though and come up with something a little heartier, yet still embodied this season.
Whenever I create no-bake healthy snacks like this it makes me wish I could show every single person who thinks eating healthy is “too hard” just how easy it can be! Sure, looking at so many of the foodie instagrams out there (including my own!) may make it seem like healthy has to be elaborate, fancy and full of crazy ingredients you’ve never heard of it, but in reality it truly doesn’t.
For me, I love styling my food, I love experimenting with new ingredients, I love spending my money on said ingredients, I love testing new combos every day. But guess what? You don’t have to love those things or even do those things to live a healthy life! Healthy can be simple, it can be quick, it can be ugly, it can be on-the-go, but it can also be DELICIOUS.
While some people simply think healthy eating is too difficult, others still think it’s boring or “gross” and it BAFFLES me when I hear this!! Because I bet if they tasted any one of my sweet treats, including this newest recipe, they wouldn’t think it was so boring or gross after all. I definitely think healthy eating is becoming more accessible and widely accepted, but so many people are still stuck in the idea that healthy foods don’t taste as good. But it truly is just about training your taste buds to enjoy the taste of REAL food, instead of chemical and sugar-laden packaged foods.
Trust me, if you yourself are struggling with getting in the groove with healthy eating or a friend/family member of yours is, make these bites and I promise you (or they!) will stop making such a fuss about healthy eating!!
These bites are full of healthy fats and protein and just a touch of natural sweetness from dates. Plus the coconut and macadamia paired together? Let’s just say it’s a tropical match made in heaven. PLUS you can easily add in vital proteins collagen like I did to give them an extra protein boost (but it’s totally optional!)
XO nat
Paleo Sweet & Salty No-Bake Macadamia Coconut Bites
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 3/4 cup macadamia nuts
- 1/4 cup roasted cashews I like using salted ones in this recipe
- 1/3 cup coconut flour
- 1/4 + 1/8 tsp salt
- 4-5 large dates
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 2 Tbsp coconut butter can substitute using nut butter of choice, but coconut butter gives the best flavor!
- 1 Tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 scoops Vital Proteins collagen peptides optional!
- 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1/4 cup macadamia nuts
Instructions
- Start by placing your dates in a bowl and cover completely with boiling water (use 5 dates if you want it a little sweeter). Only let them soak for about 5 minutes so all of the sweetness isn't leached into the water!
- Place your coconut flakes, nuts, coconut flour and salt (and optional collagen!) into a food processor and blend until the nuts are starting to break down.
- Chop up your soaked dates and add into the food processor.
- Add in the coconut butter, vanilla extract, and coconut oil (melted!) and blend until smooth.
- Transfer mixture into a bowl and mix in the extra macadamia nuts and coconut flakes (I find it easiest to kind of knead the mixture with my hands!)
- Place in paper or silicon muffin liners in a muffin tin and freeze until hard. Enjoy straight from the freezer or let them thaw a little first!