I am feeling all spring-like suddenly, which is a huge change from how I felt 2 days ago! Maybe it was that extra 15 minutes I spent this morning doing yoga (yay for me time!), or it could just be the presence of Easter themed decorations and candies that are crowding store shelves these days. I always liked Easter- not only because it was a day to eat loads of chocolate with zero guilt, but because it signalled that spring was on its way! Time for pastel colours, more time outside and fresh tasting foods. It was with this spirit that I created a new hemp bite- lemon coconut ones to be specific!
These have a lovely zesty flavour from the lemon zest and coconut adds a nice sweetness. The hemp seeds of course give this candy some wicked nutrition (see this post for more info!). The coconut oil that I put in not only helps them firm up when you put them in the freezer, but it gives them a melt-away quality when you bite into them. Great as an energizing snack or something sweet after a meal. These will definitely be made again!
Lemon Coconut Hemp Seed Bites (Vegan, Gluten-Free, Refined Sugar-Free, Raw)
Makes 22 bites.
- 3/4 cup shelled hemp seeds
- 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes (I used medium size)
- 1/4 cup agave/coconut nectar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- zest of 1 lemon
- pinch of salt
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1/3 cup unsweetened coconut flakes for rolling
Take the first 6 ingredients and combine in a blender or food processor until a dough forms that is fairly smooth. Adjust sweetness to taste. Melt the coconut oil very gently over low heat until just melted. Then while the blender or food processor is running add the coconut oil in and mix until evenly distributed.
Now take spoonfuls out and shape into balls. The dough will feel a little oily but don’t worry, the chilled bites will not be! Put the 1/3 cup coconut flakes on a flat plate and roll each ball in the coconut. Place the finished bites onto a baking sheet covered with parchment paper and when all are finished put in the freezer for at least 1/2 an hour to firm up. Store in the fridge or freezer.
Now I know Easter generally means chocolate, but I would be more than happy to find some of these treats in my fridge come Easter morning. The way they almost melt in your mouth makes them seem like a rich indulgence but they are so healthy you can indulge in a few! I did just this on a couple occasions ;). Plus they are kinda sorta egg-shaped right? Although I don’t recommend using these for Easter egg hunts. Due to the coconut oil in them, they can become soft and melty at room temperature so store in the fridge or freezer. My preference was the freezer, I liked them a little more solid, but the fridge is great too!
Next up I have another raw recipe that I think would make an awesome Easter morning breakfast. They use leftover hazelnut pulp from making hazelnut milk and can be made way in advance! Check in soon for the recipe :)
Happy Saturday!
I am sharing this recipe at: Wellness Weekends, Allergy Friendly Fridays, Allergy-Free Wednesdays, Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays Raw Food Thursdays and Allergy Free Lunchbox Love!
Hi – I don’t have agave or coconut nectar…what can I use instead? Raw honey? How many dates? They look so gooooooooooooooood!
Yup try raw honey! If you use dates I recommend making a date paste- blend dates with a little water till you get a pastey consistency, then use that to sub one-for-one for the agave!
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Mmmm, these sound wonderful! Lemon and coconut are such a great combo. Thanks for sharing it at Raw Foods Thursdays too!!
Thanks Heather! Lemon and coconut are so fresh together, I love it!
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Wow! This recipe sounded so delicious I had to run to the kitchen and make a version of it. I started using dates and added the juice of one lemon. I just wanted to eat it straight away so didn’t roll it, just put it in a bowl with some oats, more lemon juice and agave. Beautiful! I’ll be trying it again next time but I’ll stick to the recipe. Thank you for This gorgeous snack.
Sounds like a delicious bowl you made! I love making crumbles like that and eating it with milk. I’m so glad you enjoyed it as well! This recipe has to be one of my favourites so far :)
I’ll have to try these, I have a big bag of hemp seeds which I’ve only been using on salads and in smoothies. They look great!
They are so tasty! I really hope you get to try them. So nice for spring!
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Hi There Gabby,
I featured your awesome recipe this week on Allergy-Free Wednesdays. Your recipe and other highlights can be seen here: http://www.thetastyalternative.com/2012/04/allergy-free-wednesdays-week-11-april-4.html
Please join us again this week for more allergy-free fun and inspiration.
Be Well,
–Amber
Ahh thank you :)
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Thanks so much for linking up to Allergy-Free Wednesday. Hope to see you next week.
Thanks–I shall try the sunflower seed suggestion.
I adore lemon desserts with all my soul, but have so far only made one kind of lemon flavoured raw truffles. Mine used dates and nuts, as per my norm, so I love this recipe of yours using agave and hemp! I’ve just got hemp seeds for the first time, and am so looking forward to experimenting :)
I would normally use dates but I wanted to try and keep them a little more light-coloured so went with agave. Not sure it actually made a difference but it definitely gave a lovely flavour! Lemon desserts are a favourite of mine too :)
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These look delicious Gabby – yum! And congrats on doing your yoga…amazing what a few minutes of focusing on breathing can do for the self! Fabulous!
Thank you Shira! Ya it’s amazing how great it actually felt. I’m really excited to see what the long term effects will be :)
I just made these and they’re so yummy! I love lemon and added a few squeezes of juice in addition to the zest. Thanks for sharing, it’s a great recipe!
This just made me smile huge :) I’m so glad you like them! And thanks for sharing that substitution info. I’m glad to know sunflower seeds worked well, and hopefully they will too for Wenchypoo!
Is there a possible substitute for the hemp seeds? My husband’s allergic to them, and chia as well. I’m allergic to flax, so that’s out too.
~The Motley Allergy Crew
Hmm you could try cashews or almonds, or maybe sunflower seeds? I might try soaking the nuts first if that’s the route you use- a couple hours should do it! Let me know if you try any of those and how they work!
Hi, Wenchypoo! I used half hemp, half raw sunflower seeds and it tasted great, so maybe all raw sunflower would be just as good?
These look so light and refreshing! Perfect for spring. I’ve never used hemp seeds or coconut oil, but you make me want to try!
They are 2 of the most used things in my kitchen! Definitely give them a try, they are both so versatile :)
Yum! I make something very similar in bar form. Love using lemon with coconut. Brightens it up. Always looking for new ways to use hemp seeds. Thanks for the idea!
I’m glad I could help :). Hemp seeds are so versatile it’s ridonkulous- I’m always finding a new way to use them!
oo…lemon and coconut is one of my favorite combos Gabby, and these are a perfect snack food! Pinned!
Thanks Tessa :) I’m so glad you think so. They really are delicious and I agree- lemon and coconut is a winning combination.
Hope you are having a lovely weekend!
Hi! This is my first time commenting here, your blog is so beautiful! I’m looking forward to checking out the archives. Your recipes and photos are so lovely :)
This recipe looks great! I just recently starting using hemp seeds and this treat looks like a great way to get in some great nutrition! I love using citrus zest, it gives food such a bright flavor :)
Aww thank you for the compliments :) Blogging is still very new to me, and getting such a positive response from you means a lot! I have been a follower of your blog for quite a while and love reading about your daily eats. Your smoothies always look so delicious!
I’m still learning just how versatile hemp seeds are, I have managed to incorporate them in pretty much every meal. Probably one of my top foods!
Thanks for stopping by :). Looking forward to connecting more!
You are blogging like a pro, your posts and photos are beautiful and your recipes are creative and sound so delicious! Thank you, I’m so glad that you enjoy my posts :)
Adorable – and yummy! I love adding lemon to things. Is there a better smell than lemon zest?
Agreed :) So clean and fresh!