Easy, raw, bite-sized, naturally sweetened collagen bites full of chocolate and pecan pie flavors without all the hard work and sugar! Raw, gluten free, dairy free, vegan and paleo. Try my apple pie and coconut lemon poppy seed energy bites next.
Energy bites > pie
I’ve probably mentioned this in past years, but I’m not a huge fan of pie. Depending on what kind you make, it can be a pain in the ass – you make the crust, then maybe have to cook a filling, pour it just so, bake it without it overflowing, making sure that the crust edges don’t burn but are still cooked through… meh. I’d rather not.
I know there are people who would totally argue my point and say that making a layer cake is just as much a pain in the ass with the leveling, making sure the texture is right, making the frosting and icing the cake with it.
And you would be correct, it can also be time consuming and meticulous – but for some reason I enjoy that kind more. Maybe it’s just because cake = frosting. Yeah… that’s probably why.
My fiancé loves pie (this strawberry rhubarb pie is a favorite for his birthday), so I try to remember that pie is beloved by basically everyone else in the universe so I need to get over myself and just make one from time to time.
OR… I can still manage to avoid it by making pie into little energy bites that requires far less work, no crust, and isn’t something for which I need to justify the calories. Enter the Pecan Pie Energy Bites. More specifically, Chocolate Pecan Pie Energy Bites.
I’ve had a recipe idea in my head for a raw chocolate pecan pie for the last couple years and I just haven’t gotten it exactly the way I want it yet. So in lieu of that, I still wanted to make something with pecans and chocolate for this holiday season.
And since I’m doing everything in my power not to eat every single thing in sight so that my poor wedding dress doesn’t burst at the seams come February, I figure this is a good compromise to still get some nutty dessert flavors with the added bonus of them actually being pretty good for you.
Ingredients for pecan pie energy bites
- Medjool dates: This is where the sweetness comes from – no added sugar!
- Cashew butter or almond butter (aff link): Cashew is my personal favorite for these, but almond works just fine, too.
- Pecans: Because they wouldn’t be pecan pie bites without… pecans.
- Collagen peptides (aff link): I use Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides (aff link), and it helps promote healthy skin, hair and nails, as well as joint health.
- Chia seeds: Helps to control hunger, and packs a punch of healthy omega-3 fatty acids, carbohydrates, protein, fiber, antioxidants and calcium.
- Vanilla extract, salt and cinnamon: Just gives it a little somethin’ somethin’ and adds flavor.
And for the chocolate version, we’re also adding:
- Raw cacao powder: Unlike traditional cocoa powder (which is not paleo friendly), raw cacao powder (aff link) is unprocessed and retains nutrients like magnesium, calcium, iron, fiber and protein.
- Mini chocolate chips: Because chocolate. (I use Enjoy Life mini chips)
I brought these into my office, and people were loving them. One person threatened to steal the whole container, another called them “absolutely delightful”.
Granted, he was partially predisposed to liking them because it was his birthday and I was basically letting him eat pie for breakfast.
I got requests to make more of them, but little did they know I had a secret second container of them waiting in the wings. I’m a real evil genius.
These are soft, so it’s not like biting into a truffle or something with a hard shell on the outside. It’s more or less the texture of cookie dough, and similar to the apple pie bites I made last year.
I know some people see chia seeds and immediately become concerned with having chia seeds stuck in their teeth, but there’s a pretty small amount in these and I’m yet to have any stuck in my teeth – and trust me, I’ve eaten a lot of these in one sitting.
But if you’re really that worried about it, you can leave the chia seeds out – you’ll just be missing out on their nutritional value, but it won’t affect the flavor.
I’ll let you know when I finally perfect that raw chocolate pecan pie recipe, but until then let’s indulge ourselves in these little guys and feel good about all the calories we’re saving for Christmas Cookies in a couple months <3
After you’ve made this recipe, please consider coming back to share your experience with others by leaving a comment below with a star rating!
Pecan Pie Energy Bites or Chocolate Pecan Pie Energy Bites
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
Pecan Pie Energy Bites
- 1 ½ cups whole pecans
- ½ cup medjool dates, pitted and packed tightly (about 6-8 dates)
- ⅔ cup almond butter or cashew butter
- 1 tablespoon collagen peptides, I use Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- Pinch of cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
Chocolate Pecan Pie Energy Bites
- 1 ½ cups whole pecans
- ½ cup pitted medjool dates, packed tightly (about 6-8 dates)
- ⅔ cup almond butter or cashew butter
- ¼ cup raw cacao powder
- 2 tablespoons collagen peptides, I use Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides
- 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- Pinch of cinnamon
- Pinch of salt
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips, I use Enjoy Life mini chips
Instructions
Pecan Pie Energy Bites
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread pecans out on a baking sheet in a single layer and roast for 5 minutes. Set aside to cool.1 ½ cups whole pecans
- Prep another baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a food processor, combine dates and nut butter and pulse until the dates have broken down into smaller chunks, about 5 seconds.½ cup medjool dates | ⅔ cup almond butter or cashew butter
- Add pecans, collagen, vanilla, chia seeds, cinnamon and salt and pulse again until crumbly and you can squeeze the mixture in your fingers and have it all stick together.1 tablespoon collagen peptides | 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon chia seeds | Pinch of cinnamon | Pinch of salt
- Use a tablespoon (or small cookie scoop) to scoop out the mixture and roll them into balls. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to eat. Enjoy!
Chocolate Pecan Pie Energy Bites
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread pecans out on a baking sheet in a single layer and roast for 5 minutes. Set aside to cool.1 ½ cups whole pecans
- Prep another baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a food processor, combine dates and nut butter and pulse until the dates have broken down into smaller chunks, about 5 seconds.½ cup pitted medjool dates | ⅔ cup almond butter or cashew butter
- Add pecans, cacao powder, collagen, vanilla, chia seeds, cinnamon and salt and pulse again until crumbly and you can squeeze the mixture in your fingers and have it all stick together.¼ cup raw cacao powder | 2 tablespoons collagen peptides | 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon chia seeds | Pinch of cinnamon | Pinch of salt
- Add mini chocolate chips to food processor and give it a single pulse just to distribute the chips throughout.¼ cup mini chocolate chips
- Use a tablespoon (or small cookie scoop) to scoop out the mixture and roll them into balls. Place the balls on the prepared baking sheet.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to eat. Enjoy!
Noel Lizotte
I love this recipe! Too much probably … because I’m not sure I could stop eating these until the pan was empty!
Andrea
These are the kind of treats I crave this time of the year! I love the chocolate+ pecan combo, I could snck on these forever!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme
YUMM, this looks like the perfect fall snack! I’ve been looking for some healthier snack options so this is perfect. Pinning to try this week!
Eileen Kelly
These chocolate pecan pie energy snacks are delicious! I love that you are using the collagen peptides. I have been working with them and I love what it brings to food. These are a perfect pick me up! My daughter is training for NYC marathon, these will be a great snack for the last 2 weeks before the marathon.,
lauren
I would rather make a two tier cake than a pie crust. Truth. These little bites of pecan bliss look amazing. Love that you added in the chocolate, because duh.
Anne Murphy
Chocolate and pecan pie flavor together in one energy bite? Oh, my! What a great little snack! (From one non-pie-baker to another… LOL)
Jessica (Swanky Recipes)
I just made pecan shortbread balls and I was thinking about making a healthy version of it. I’m so happy to see this recipe to piece it together. I can’t get enough fall flavors right now and this recipe is perfect for breakfast with my pumpkin latte!
Kitty
These looks so tasty! Do you think I could use protein powder in them? Although my hair and nails could certainly use the collagen, I’ve been trying to increase my protein intake.
Michele
You say these taste like pecan pie? Sign me up!! These sure look like little morsels of happiness. I think I would love both options, the regular and the chocolate. Delish!
Shelley
I always try to keep a stash of energy bites on hand – my family goes through them lightning-fast! I adore this idea for a pecan pie twist (because … ummmmm … I sort of have a love affair with pecan pie this time of year!), Even better that there’s a chocolate version, too!
Jenni LeBaron
I love making energy balls like these and I agree that they are one of the easiest things to add collagen peptides to. Both these recipes are killer!
Heather
Ooh these are great! Been working out a ton lately so the these little protein bites will be a nice change up and welcome treat!
Gloria
Love the use of PIE and ENERGY BITES together in one recipe!! What a nutritious treat to make for an after school snack for the grandkids…and me!!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Love the two options here! Such a huge fan of energy bites and the fact that they are packed with lots of good, wholesome ingredients makes them a guilt free treat :)