These chocolate hazelnut fudge bites are raw and naturally grain-free and gluten-free with paleo, vegan and dairy-free options! Can be put together in less than 5 minutes.
I had no idea what to call these things! Chocolate hazelnut was clear. But brownie bites? Fudge bites. Brownie balls. I dunno.
I wanted to make something healthier for Valentine’s Day but I don’t really do the pink food coloring thing. That leaves heart-shaped brownies and chocolate stuff, right? ;)
Unlike the usual “brownie bites,” these don’t taste healthy (although, they don’t actually taste like fudge or brownies!) That’s because I added a little chocolate. I’ve tried adding more cocoa powder and coconut sugar or honey but it’s just not the same.
These are mostly date sweetened but I also used a tiny bit of honey here but you could also use agave for a vegan version. I used honey and not coconut sugar because I needed something sticky to help hold everything together. And it worked out just fine!
All you do for these is blend everything together in a food processor and then roll into balls. It’s super quick and easy!
For whatever reason, I can buy roasted blanched chopped hazelnuts at every store for the same price as whole hazelnuts. This makes life so much easier! Roasting hazelnuts and removing the skin is SO time consuming, messy and just plain annoying.
After doing some research, it seems like hazelnuts are pretty expensive in the US. And blanched are ridiculously expensive! If you love baking with hazelnuts like me, you might want to check out Amazon where you can buy them in bulk and save a little money. Or you can use almonds in place of the hazelnuts!
I’ve tried different methods for blanching hazelnuts, but this is the least annoying: how to peel hazelnuts.
And despite these chocolate hazelnut fudge bites being dairy-free, grain-free, gluten-free and vegan… they’re pretty awesome. I’m telling you, the added chocolate makes all the difference!
Don’t forget to enter the Berlin goodies giveaway! Plus there are some pretty mindblowing raspberry cheesecake brownies in that post. :)
Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge Bites (paleo, vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free)
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Ready in:
- Yield: 36 3/4" balls
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (230 grams) blanched hazelnuts
- 100 grams dates (this is about 16 normal-sized dates)
- 2 teaspoons honey (or agave for a vegan version)
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup (45 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips (use Enjoy Life chocolate chips for dairy-free / vegan / paleo)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup (60 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
For piping:
Directions
- In the bowl of your food processor fitted with an S-blade, grind the hazelnuts until they resemble flour. If you blend too long, it'll turn into hazelnut butter.
- Remove the hazelnuts from the food processor and set aside.
- Add the dates to the food processor and pulse until a paste forms.
- Add the remaining ingredients (except for the piping chocolate) and pulse until fully combined and then add the pulsed hazelnuts. Pulse a few times until well combined.
- Press the dough into 3/4" balls (or whatever size you like). They will appear to be greasy at first but once they're formed, they won't taste or feel at all greasy.
- Pipe or drizzle on some semi-sweet or dark chocolate, if desired.
- Place the balls in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to a week. Freeze any leftovers after that.
The post is linked to Allergy Free Wednesdays.
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50 comments on “Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge Bites (paleo, grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan)” — Add one!
Computer will not except name or e-mail address. I can’t even write it in. I would like to try all of them. Hubby and I are on low carb diet. Have been looking for goodies just to top off a meal.
But you did write? I’m a little confused. Are you trying to sign up for the newsletter? Or trying to enter the giveaway I mention at the end of this post? (It’s closed now – that post is 3 years old).
I used to roast my hazelnuts but after an (expensive) incident when I forgot to get them out of the oven I decided plain was fine. The skin must be good for you…somehow?!
Haha. I’ve had way too many expensive accidents like that. ;) And the skin must have fiber or something good for you – I agree! I guess unblanched would be fine in these but I really prefer it blanched in things like nut butters. :)
Now this sounds delicious, thanks for posting up this recipe.
Simon
You’re welcome! :)
No baking required? How long do you leave them in the fridge before eating?
No baking required and you can eat them immediately after rolling into balls. :)
I don’t have any hazelnuts. I do have cashews and I have whole almonds. Have you tried it with either of those nuts?
I haven’t tried that but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. I hope you’ll enjoy them! :)
Looks yummy
Thanks!
I love anything chocolate hazelnut, these bites look so good. I’d definitely have to hide them in the freezer ;).
Hehe. You know they’re just going to call your name from in there. ;)
Hi Erin,
These bites I found on Pinterest and I decided to try them out. Well I have made them twice in 2 days. I was hoping to freeze some both times…yeah right! We have practically been fighting over these. I can’t thank you enough for this amazing recipe! I have a serious sweet tooth and this healthy sweet totally satisfied, and it’s so filling! I shared some with friends and family and everyone loved them. I’m sending them all here to find the recipe:) I have subscribed and am excited to try more! Thank you!!!!
Oh, yay! I’m so happy that you enjoyed the bites! I guess you’ll just have to make a double batch next time in hopes of freezing some. ;) Thanks for sharing the recipe with others (if one of Marina’s friends or relatives is reading this – hi Marina’s friend or relative! :D) and for the feedback! I really appreciate it. :)
Wow, these are amazing, look delicious!
Thanks so much! :)
Hi Erin! I will be featuring your recipe this week on Allergy Free Wednesday, thanks for sharing!
Awesome! Thanks so much, Tessa. :)
These are kind of like Lara bars, here in the US. I love them, and I can’t wait to make these little bites!
I’ve never tried one of those! But I bet these are better. :P
Mmmm. Bite sized foods are so good. Even though I end up having like ten of them in one sitting. The chocolate drizzle on these just make them more appealing. :)
Hehe. I know, right? Mr. T and I ate this batch in less than a day. Whoops.
You make these look so much prettier than I ever could :) Love how healthy they are and that I’d still actually really want to eat them!
Why, thank you! And I bet your little fudge balls would look great. :)
I love everything about these. Especially the chocolate drizzle on top! :)
Thanks, Carla! And yeah. Drizzle helps everything! :)
Raw ‘type’ foods are my favorite. They are packed with nutrients and delicious EFA’s. Ever get your hazelnuts from Oregon? They are so deliciously fresh!
I never get my hazelnuts from Oregon because I’m in Germany right now. ;) I’d love to try them, though!
Ooooo, how yummy. I haven’t purchased blanched hazelnuts before, but I have purchased them in regular form. All I did was roast them in the oven then rubbed the skins off. It was fairly simple. These really look amazing. I want. Pinned.
Thanks for pinning! And I’ve had bad luck with roasting and rubbing the skin off. I can only get half of it off!
How do you get the perfect zig-zag on top so perfect and zig-zaggy? Because if I made these, there would be thumbprints on them and drips all over. You have mad skillz! And now I’m hungry for fudge bites…
Hahaha. That’s normally me! I always wonder how these bloggers put together perfect parfaits and pipe stuff so nicely. Piping balls is the one thing I can do. :D
Dang, Erin. I actually have all the ingredients at home and I’m fresh out of sweet treats – guess what I’m making tonight!! :) Thanks for the recipe!
I hope you do try them! I think you’d love them. :)
I would love to have a batch of these on hand for when I need a dose of chocolate!
Yeah! Put ’em in your freezer. Then you’ll always be prepared. :)
These look dangerously good. I would eat way too many of these.
Thanks, Jocelyn! :)
These look AMAZING!!! Now to hunt down some hazelnuts :) Thanks you!
You’re welcome! Hope you find the nuts. :)
Fabulous, Erin! I’m totally loving this recipe as well as your photography. I’m addicted to all sweets chocolate and hazelnut. And, I like that you went with ‘fudge bites’ for the recipe title. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Stacy! Such a nice comment. :)
These look fantastic, Erin! I still haven’t settled on what I’ll be making for Valentine’s Day, but whatever I decide, I know it will be loaded with chocolate!
Sounds like a plan! Chocolate is always right. ;)
Chocolate + hazelnut = music to my ears. I’ve never noticed hazelnuts being too expensive here, but it might just be because I don’t want to know. Not giving up my hazelnut addiction ;-)
Maybe they’re only expensive online? Or maybe like you said, you just don’t want to know. ;)
These are pure balls of goodness! YUM!
Haha. Exactly! So happy you agree. :)