These mocha energy bites are soft and chewy with a rich chocolate and subtle coffee flavor. They’re made with dates, sunflower seed butter, protein powder and instant coffee. This protein ball recipe is nut free, gluten free, dairy free, vegan and paleo friendly (no oats).

I’m always on the hunt for easy snacks that I can make ahead of time and store in the fridge or freezer. And these mocha energy bites have been one of my favorites lately.

Although I usually make energy bites for the kids, I made these for myself because I love coffee and chocolate and I didn’t really feel like sharing (LOL). However, the kids did get to try one and they were highly impressed.

These mocha protein balls have a chewy caramel-like consistency since they’re made with dates. I used sunflower seed butter to keep them nut free and added chocolate protein powder to boost the protein content.

In addition, this recipe is gluten free, grain free (no oats), dairy free, paleo AND vegan. It checks a lot of boxes, plus they taste amazing!

Why You’ll Love These Mocha Energy Bites

Paleo and Vegan – made with simple ingredients you can feel good about
Easy to Make – just blend ingredients in a food processor and roll into balls

Peanut Free – no peanut butter in this energy bite recipe
Gluten Free and Grain Free – no oats, no wheat
No Added Sugar – only sweetened with dates

Ingredients

You only need 7 simple ingredients to make these coffee protein balls. The full recipe can be found in the recipe card below, but here’s a quick overview:

Dates – I used pitted Medjool dates, but any variety will work.
Sunbutter – also known as sunflower seed butter. If you don’t need this recipe to be nut‑free or paleo, you can swap in almond butter or peanut butter.

Protein powder – I used Nuzest chocolate pea protein, but most protein powders should work. If the dough is too wet, you can always add more protein powder or cocoa powder. If it’s too dry, a bit of water will help bind the ingredients.
Cocoa powder – I used Dutch‑processed cocoa powder for this recipe, but any cocoa powder will work.
Instant coffee – my favorite instant coffee is from Four Sigmatic.

Salt – just a pinch for flavor.

How to Make Mocha Energy Bites

These energy bites are made in a food processor, then rolled into balls. Here’s the step‑by‑step:

Soften the dates – Even if your dates are relatively soft, soak them in hot water before blending. Place the pitted dates in a small bowl, pour hot water over them so they’re fully submerged, and let sit for 5–10 minutes. Drain before using.

Blend the dates – Place the softened dates in your food processor and blend.
Add other ingredients – Add the remaining ingredients to the processor, blending and stopping a few times to scrape down the sides. The dough should form a large, sticky ball.
Roll into balls – Scoop and roll into tablespoon-sized balls. You should end up with approximately 17 energy bites.

Tips & Tricks

Soak the dates, even if they seem soft—it helps with smoother blending.
Use pea protein – it’s ultra-absorbent and works well in this recipe.
Dip in dark chocolate if you want to elevate these bites into a dessert-like treat.

Storage

Store in an airtight container or bag. These bites will keep well in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Honestly, they’re great straight from the freezer since they don’t get completely rock‑hard.

FAQ

Are these mocha energy bites vegan?

Yes—just use a vegan-friendly protein powder.

Do I have to use instant coffee?

While instant coffee gives the best mocha flavor, you could finely grind coffee beans as an alternative.

My dough is too dry—what should I do?

If it’s too dry and difficult to roll, just add a little water and blend again until it reaches a sticky consistency.