Raw Banana Bread Bites

I can't believe Halloween is right around the corner!  In the holiday spirit, I thought I'd make myself a treat.  None of that packaged, processed stuff.  Something using whole ingredients that I could enjoy without a sugar crash and major stomach ache.  The result of my cravings led me to these banana bread bites.  Made simply of nuts, fruit, and dash of cinnamon, they are the perfect fun-sized, poppable "candy".

There is something beautiful about how you can throw together such a delicious snack from a few natural ingredients.  What really pushes these over the edge is how they taste exactly like banana bread dough, but not in a weird, half-baked kind of way.  Think more along the lines of how cookie dough is better than baked cookies, brownie batter is better than baked brownies, and you get the idea.  Banana bread is such a quintessential comfort food and it only get's better when made into little balls of bliss!

I added some diced walnuts to the dough before rolling them to add a crunch factor, as well as a drizzle of chocolate because, chocolate chip banana bread!  Feel free to omit either, or simply add mini chocolate chips to the dough instead of the chocolate drizzle.  These make a great pick-me-up for that mid-afternoon slump, or the energizing snack right before a workout.  But my favorite reason to enjoy these is simply because they are tasty.  Happy Halloween!

Craving more recipes like this?

Raw Almond Joy Poppers
No-Bake Pumpkin Pie Cookies
Gingerbread Cookie Dough Balls
No-Bake Fig Newton Bites
No-Bake Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Bites


Raw Banana Bread Bites

1 cup almonds
1 cup walnuts
2 figs, diced (I used kalamata figs)
1 very ripe banana
1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1 Tbsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch salt

1/4 cup chopped walnuts, optional (to add a crunch factor)
chocolate drizzle (recipe follows) or mini chocolate chips, optional

Directions:
Add the almonds, walnuts, and figs to a food processor.  Process until a sticky nut meal forms, about 15-20 seconds, scraping down the sides as necessary.  Add the cinnamon, coconut, and salt.  Process until combined.

In a large bowl, mash the banana with the vanilla extract.  Add the processed nut mixture to the bowl and mix well until a dough is formed.  If you want to add chopped walnuts or chocolate chips, stir them in at this stage.  Line a baking sheet with wax paper, and using a melon scoop or tablespoon, scoop the dough into even pieces, roll each into a ball between your hands, and place on the wax paper.  After all the dough is rolled, place the balls in the fridge for a few hours to firm up.

Once the banana bread bites are firm to the touch, you can drizzle them with chocolate.  Store in the fridge in an air-tight container.


Chocolate Drizzle

1 Tbsp coconut oil, melted
2 Tbsp cacao powder
1 tsp maple syrup (optional, depending on sweet tooth)

Directions:
Mix everything together until well combined.

or

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
1 tsp coconut oil

Directions:
Melt the chocolate chips with the coconut oil.  Stir until a smooth, liquid chocolate is formed.