It’s Friday! We made it! I think we should celebrate with something sweet. Something with chocolate and hazelnuts that tastes decadent, but is perfectly acceptable for breakfast.
I’ve been on a big nut butter kick recently – almond, walnut, cashew, good old-fashioned peanut butter – but it had been way too long since I made a batch of my Vegan Nutella. Craving that classic combination of roasted hazelnuts and chocolate, I decided to use those flavors to create Nutella-inspired snack bites.
I made a couple of variations: one paleo-friendly, one with gluten-free oats, and both vegan. The paleo version was good, but the oats took these from sticky chocolate-hazelnut-date balls to what can only be described as a mix between a rich, Nutella cookie dough and a dense, almost fudge-like brownie.
And yet, these little unassuming balls have zero processed sugar. Medjool dates are kind of magical like that.
Rolled in some finely chopped hazelnuts for a little crunch, I’ve been loving these as a pre-workout snack, a post-dinner dessert, and the other day, I even ate a couple for breakfast when I was on a never-ending conference call. Just try to time it so that you’re not eating one moments before you have to present. Talking with a Nutella ball stuck to the roof of your mouth can make for some really awkward client interactions.
Thank goodness for almond milk to wash it all down.
Vegan Nutella Cookie Dough Snack Bites
Serves: about 14 snack bites
Nutella-inspired snack balls that are vegan, gluten-free, and naturally sweet! These are great as a pre-workout snack or for dessert.
Cuisine: Gluten Free, Vegan Servings: about 14 snack bites
Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Total Time: 20 mins
Nutella-inspired snack balls that are vegan, gluten-free, and naturally sweet! These are great as a pre-workout snack or for dessert.
Store in a container in the refrigerator.
These are also great straight out of the freezer. The dates keep them from freezing solid and they become extra chewy.
Copyright © 2022 Amanda Maguire for Pickles & Honey
YUM!! You should submit some of your recipes to Healthy Vegan Fridays (does this one count as healthy??) on Carrie on Vegan, Everyday Vegan Girl, and Veggie Nook.
Thanks for the recommendation – I’ll look into that!
I saw you put one on there, yay!! 🙂
I did! Thanks again for letting me know about it!
These look amazing! I am slightly obsessed with making cookie dough balls lately, and these are next on the list!
Thanks, Erica! I’m slightly obsessed with cookie dough balls too.
I was looking to make one of these ball recipes to impress at work, these look pretty dank. Love the photos, and really looking forward to the flavor!
My first time on this blog! So happy you posted for Gina. These look so great. Yum!
Thanks, Alicia! 🙂
Wow love these nut balls. Made them for my gluten sensitive daughter and friends… BIG HIT. Thank you soo much. Love the Blog.
Thanks, Joanne! I’m so glad everyone liked them. I’m thinking I need to make another batch for myself this week. 🙂
P.S. The recipe can be found here: https://www.picklesnhoney.com/recipes/?recipe_id=6059817
would love to make nutella cookie balls – is there anything I can substitute the dates with – not fond of dates. thanks
I think raisins would probably do the trick. Let me know if you give that a try!
thanks for suggestion!!