If you're hoping to up your healthy snack game this is the recipe for you! These Fudgy Hemp Bites are perfect for your sweet tooth cravings and they're filled with plant-based protein and satisfying flavor. Make a batch (or two!) and keep them in your freezer for an easy-to-grab bite whenever you're feeling snacky.
I love having a recipe like these Fudgy Hemp Bites up my sleeve! It's the perfect snack or dessert, and since they're stored in the freezer, you can make a ton and always have them on hand.
I filled this recipe with almond butter, hemp seeds, and oats for plant-based protein and a kick of sustainable, natural energy to last all day. They're sweetened naturally with maple syrup and get a deep cocoa flavor from cocoa powder!
It's the perfect combination of flavors and would totally satisfy your candy bar craving without all the refined sugar and hard-to-pronounce ingredients. Plus, they're really easy to make and only require a mixing bowl and clean hands. Let's make a batch!
Ingredients in Fudgy Hemp Bites
These are some of my absolute favorite ingredients! I almost always have everything I need for this treat right in my pantry, so the minute I decide I want a sweet snack, I can whip up a batch. It's as simple as measuring, scooping, and freezing!
- Hemp hearts - Find these in the health food section of your grocery store! They're often stored alongside nuts and seeds or occasionally in the baking aisle. I get mine at Costco in bulk.
- Quick cooking oats - Double check to make sure they're gluten-free if that's important to you. In this recipe, I like the texture of quick cooking oats over the rolled old-fashioned oats. If you only have old-fashioned oats, pulse them in your blender a few times to break them down a bit!
- Unsweetened cocoa powder - Look for high-quality cocoa powder that's vibrant dark brown in color!
- Pure maple syrup - This one is my favorite. I like a big container since I use maple syrup in so many of my recipes. I buy mine in bulk at Costco or on Amazon subscribe and save.
- Almond butter - For the best results and flavor, look for one that's creamy, raw (not roasted), and unsalted.
- Pure vanilla extract
- Salt
Health Benefits of Hemp
Hemp seeds, or hemp hearts, are a really great way to add plant-based protein and essential fatty acids to your diet. They have a nutty flavor that is SO delicious paired with the cocoa in this recipe! I love how they make a recipe instantly more hearty and filling while boosting the nutrition. Hemp seeds also contain vitamin E, potassium, iron, and calcium. Whole hemp seeds are also high in fiber, making them good for your digestive health!
All About Almond Butter
You might know by now just how much I love almond butter! It's an absolute staple in our house. I always keep a back-up jar (or two!) in the pantry and sometimes I even make my own Homemade Raw Creamy Almond Butter.
Almonds are high in protein and fiber while being low in carbohydrates. They also provide iron, calcium, and vitamin E. I love that such a delicious snack is also so good for you! See my complete guide on almonds for nutrition facts, health benefits and recipes.
Gluten-Free Oats in Fudgy Hemp Bites
Many of my baking recipes use oats as a gluten-free base. They're an awesome substitute for flour because of the way they help goodies hold their shape! I love using quick-cooking oats for recipes like this one. I think they have a better texture.
Old-fashioned oats would work fine, but I do recommend pulsing them in your blender a couple times before mixing them into the Fudgy Hemp Bites. This helps break them down a bit!
Oats also offer awesome nutritional benefits since they’re higher in protein and healthful fats than most other grains you’ll encounter. I love the sustainable energy that comes from these nutritious carbohydrates!
Health Benefits of Cocoa
Unsweetened cocoa powder is made by roasting and grinding cocoa beans. Years of nutrition research has shown that chocolate may provide health benefits from antioxidants called flavanols found in the cocoa solids (as opposed to the cocoa butter). When consumed in large amounts, studies have shown that flavanols in chocolate may lower blood pressure, promote lung and brain health, and even improve your mood (I know I'm always happy when I'm eating chocolate!). Look for cocoa powder that's a vibrant dark brown color.
More Snack Bites
No-Bake Fudgy Quinoa Chia Bites
Almond Butter & Jelly Energy Bites
Grain-Free & Vegan Cookie Dough Energy Bites
No-Bake Birthday Cake Energy Bites
Flourless Brownie Energy Bites
Instant Sunflower Energy Balls
Print
No-Bake Fudgy Hemp Bites (vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free)
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 10 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
If you're hoping to up your healthy snack game this is the recipe for you! These fudgy bites are perfect for your sweet tooth cravings and they're filled with plant-based protein and satisfying flavor. Make a batch (or two!) and keep them in your freezer for an easy-to-grab bite whenever you're feeling snacky.
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup quick cooking oats, gluten-free if desired (not old fashioned oats)
- ⅓ cup hemp seeds
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder*
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- ¼ cup creamy raw (not roasted) unsalted almond butter - new jars work best - stir well
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon fine grain salt
Instructions
- Whisk together all dry ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
- Add the wet ingredients and stir until well incorporated.
- Use a 1.5 tablespoon retractable cookie scoop to form the bites. Place the bites on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Place in the freezer for 2-4 hours to set. Enjoy straight from the freezer.
Notes
* Use a good quality cocoa powder here. It should be a vibrant dark brown in color.
In this recipe quick cooking oats provide the best texture. If you have old fashioned oats and want to use them you can pulse them a couple times in a food processor or dry blender to help break them down a bit.
- Prep Time: 5
- Category: Snack
Hannah says
I’ve made this recipe more than a handful of times because I
always have the ingredients on hand, it’s so quick and easy, and superrrr delicious!
Elaine Gordon says
Awesome! So happy to hear that! I make it all the time too and I always seem to have everything on hand as well :). Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment and a rating, Hannah!
Jeanne says
I've been making this recipe since Elaine posted on her stories. I make with 1/2 cup hemp and 1/2 oats. She had mentioned/posted this on Instagram. I have made these several times and they are so delicious and will be a forever treat. Thank you!
Elaine Gordon says
Awesome! Love to hear that! This recipe was a very happy accident and I'm so glad I shared it and everyone loved it immediately as well! I will have to try it with your half and half ratio!
Laura says
Super easy and a great treat. Just the right amount of chocolate and peanut butter with the chewy oatmeal and hemp seeds. Nice to have a bag in the freezer for a quick bite.
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Laura! So happy you love it!
Katie says
Love having these in my freezer for when I need something sweet!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much! So happy to hear that! I keep them in my freezer as well! 🙂
Lynette says
Could you please tell me the difference in taste and/or texture of these and your quinoa chia chocolate bites? The recipes look very similar to me. Thank you!
Elaine Gordon says
Hi Lynette, Great question! They are very similar recipes. The fudgy hemp bites are a bit more substantial/sturdy in texture because of the oats. More like a traditional energy bite. The flavor is similar although the oats add a slightly different flavor I would say. The quinoa chia bites melt in your mouth more... a bit more like a sweet treat. You can't go wrong with either! I hope this helps and I hope you get a chance to try them both! Best, Elaine
Lynette says
Thank you so much, Elaine, for that great explanation!
I made the frozen quinoa bites and my family loved them so much that today I made the frozen hemp bites. Like you said, they were a little heavier in texture, but the taste was very similar to the quinoa ones. I also liked that the hemp bites required absolutely no cooking. A great summer recipe. My family loved them both!
Thank you! ?
Elaine Gordon says
Sure thing, Lynette! Thank you for letting me know your family loved them both! And, yes, the hemp bites are great in that it is a completely no-cook recipe - perfect for this heat wave/time of year! Thank you again! Best, Elaine
S says
Love these! Great healthy treat!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you, S!
Laura Jones says
These are a super easy, quick, tasty snack that will really satisfy a sweet tooth/chocolate craving! They are also filling so it’s hard to overdo it! I’ve made them twice now. I ran out of my almond butter so the second time I used Nutzo butter and they were still just as tasty! Thank you Elaine!
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Laura! I'm so happy to hear you enjoyed these so much and I agree that one or two are so satisfying! Good to know re: your swap. Thank you for sharing so other readers can benefit from that. All the best, Elaine
Lisandra Tabares-Perez says
A yummy night time treat! My son calls these special treat balls. Perfect amount of chocolate.
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Lisandra! I'm so happy to hear you and your son love these! They are a favorite around here too 🙂
Nikki says
I'm going to try to make this recipe today. I'm nervous about the hemp though. I'm a total virgin when it comes to hemp. I've heard do many good things about hemp in willing to try it. My question is, will I feel high when I eat these? How many do I eat? I don't want to feel high. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Elaine Gordon says
Hi Nikki: I apologize for the delayed response. I was away on a family vacation and just catching up now. I eat probably 1/4-1/3 cup of hemp seeds daily and I have for years. They are a huge staple in my diet as they are a complete source of plant-based protein and other important nutrients. They are perfectly safe. You will not feel high at all as they do not contain THC. This article from the FDA explains it: https://www.fda.gov/food/cfsan-constituent-updates/fda-responds-three-gras-notices-hemp-seed-derived-ingredients-use-human-food ("Although hemp is from the same species as cannabis (marijuana), the seeds themselves do not naturally contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. The hemp seed-derived ingredients that are the subject of these GRAS notices contain only trace amounts of THC and CBD, which the seeds may pick up during harvesting and processing when they are in contact with other parts of the plant. Consumption of these hemp seed-derived ingredients is not capable of making consumers “high”.). I hope that helps and I hope you enjoy this recipe. Best, Elaine