Almond, Coconut & Date Bites

by Kiran on February 21, 2014 · 34 comments

in Desserts, How-To, Snack

Age is just a number. Right?

After all, how much does it matter if you are eating healthy and conscious about what you put in your mouth. Or so I thought.

Almond, Coconut & Date Bites | KiranTarun.com

What’s my age you ask? While I’d love to believe that I’m 29 and I’ll forever have a 29 year old personality — the reality is, hitting mid-30s came with shocking responsibilities. For starters, taking our health more seriously.

Its boring necessities, but very crucial.

Almond, Coconut & Date Bites | KiranTarun.com

The fact of the matter is, I have almost no control over carbs. There’s no way to ever say goodbye when it comes to desserts or even rice. But I can make a commitment towards a healthier lifestyle. And that begins with portion control and healthy snacking whenever necessary.

These bites surely delivers. Healthy, sweet and indulgent bites — definitely curbs my sweet tooth and carbs at bay.

Almond, Coconut & Date Bites | KiranTarun.com

Oh, thank goodness, chocolate is “healthy”. For snacking or otherwise 😉

Almond, Coconut & Date Bites | KiranTarun.com

Print This Recipe Print This Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of toasted whole almonds, chopped
  • 40 soft medjool dates, pitted + chopped
  • 2/3 cup of grated coconut, lightly toasted
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • optional: 4 oz bitter sweet chocolate & grated coconut for garnish

Directions:

  1. In a large skillet on low, lightly toast almonds and grated coconut until fragrant. Stir frequently to avoid burn. Remove to cool.
  2. Add chopped pitted dates into a large food processor. Pulse to breakdown before adding toasted almonds and coconut. Pulse again and add honey, salt and coconut oil.
  3. Pulse until everything combines into a soft dough.
  4. Line a small rectangular dish with a parchment paper. Press down dough or shape it into dough balls before refrigeration.
  5. Optional: spread a thin layer of chocolate to make date bars. Or roll dough balls, drizzle some chocolate and sprinkle on more grated coconut. Arrange it on a parchment and refrigerate to set.

 

Almond, Coconut & Date Bites | KiranTarun.com

Are you committed to making a healthier change in your lifestyle? Any tips on staying strong?

 

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Comments on this entry are closed.

1 Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health February 21, 2014 at 3:33 PM

lovely photos. I make something similar but shape them into balls and freeze them for my snack or as a dessert. Well, healthier life is like a habit I think..the more you practice, the easier it gets. Also, if you have a strong support system its easier stay in check.
Dixya @ Food, Pleasure, and Health recently posted..Meet the Dietitian : Golda E. Ewalt

2 Kiran February 26, 2014 at 5:03 PM

Dixya — so true about a strong support system 🙂

3 Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ February 21, 2014 at 5:45 PM

I follow your blog for a while now. Your recipes look definitely healthy to me. Of course you also give space to chocolate, churros and a variety of rice based dishes but that’s definitely OK. It’s all good and genuine. In regards to aging, I realize I should exercise, practice a sport… I’m getting lazier and lazier instead 🙁
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ recently posted..A Truffle Masterclass Experience in London

4 Kiran February 26, 2014 at 5:09 PM

Daniela — me too! we need to motivate each other to get some exercise in 🙁

5 Rosa February 21, 2014 at 7:09 PM

Welcome to the club! I’m also in my mid-thirties (feeling like a 16 years old, though) and taking my health very seriously. 😉

Those bites are perfect!

Cheers,

Rosa

6 Kiran February 26, 2014 at 5:16 PM

Rosa — lol! serious is the right word 😉

7 Jen L | Tartine and Apron Strings February 22, 2014 at 12:11 AM

Wait ’til you hit 40! LOL! These sweet treats transcends any age, that’s for sure!
Jen L | Tartine and Apron Strings recently posted..Gluten Free Sour Cream Breakfast Muffins

8 Kiran February 26, 2014 at 5:19 PM

Jen — thanks for the encouragement 😉

9 Laura (Tutti Dolci) February 22, 2014 at 12:35 AM

These treats are the perfect way to cure a carb craving!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) recently posted..vanilla-bean brownie cake

10 Kiran February 26, 2014 at 5:23 PM

Laura — 🙂

11 Asmita February 22, 2014 at 7:43 AM

Gorgeous clicks and these look so good! Have a great weekend!
Asmita recently posted..Bake Party-Cookies And Desserts

12 Kiran February 26, 2014 at 5:25 PM

Asmita — thank you and same to you!

13 Ina gawne February 22, 2014 at 8:47 AM

Kiran – these look fabulous…I soooo have to make them, YUM!
Ina gawne recently posted..FRESH WEST COAST SNAPPER

14 Kiran February 28, 2014 at 6:26 PM

Ina — thank you and yes, you should!! xo

15 Ashley February 22, 2014 at 10:44 AM

Love these bites – I make something kinda similar and they definitely help me keep my sweet cravings in check! Because I agree – there’s no way I’ll ever be able to give up desserts but I try to be as healthy as I can! I try to keep as little “bad” food in the house as possible – if it’s not there I can’t easily grab it! And going to the store is such a pain : )
Ashley recently posted..Greek Pita Pockets with Hummus

16 Angie@Angie's Recipes February 22, 2014 at 2:31 PM

Lovely healthy bites! Anything with coconut, I am SOLD.
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Shirataki Spaghetti Stir-fry with Shrimp

17 Shobelyn February 22, 2014 at 2:41 PM

It is true. It feels like you become aware about health when you hit your mid – thirties. You feel aches and more flabby belly at this age too. Wait till you get in your 40s and it will be much worse. The good thing about getting old is, you feel you have more experience about life and everyone calls you ” maam.”
I like this snack you are sharing today. It look like a perfect portion to satisfy a sweet craving. Thanks.
Shobelyn recently posted..Healthy Version of Chinese Orange Chicken – Baked Rather Than Deep Fried

18 Lizzy (Good Things) February 22, 2014 at 3:16 PM

Delicious, Kiran… you are but a spring chicken, but it’s a good thing to take care of yourself! : )
Lizzy (Good Things) recently posted..Pulled pork buns with sage butter and spiced cranberries

19 Alanna February 22, 2014 at 3:19 PM

Um, oh my goddess. Your photography is just exquisite and these bars look like little bits of heaven. Thank you for sharing! 🙂

20 Choc Chip Uru February 22, 2014 at 8:55 PM

I love how this is so full of healthy ingredients but would still be incredibly sweet and delicious 😀
Best of both!

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Choc Chip Uru recently posted..Attempted Sneakiness

21 Nancy/SpicieFoodie February 23, 2014 at 12:26 AM

It is a just a number, but you totally have the right attitude. These healthy bites would satisfy my sweet cravings. Thanks for sharing Kiran!
Nancy/SpicieFoodie recently posted..My Favorite Foodies: An Interview with MJ of MJ’s Kitchen

22 Kelly February 23, 2014 at 6:56 AM

Love these bites, they sound incredible and perfect for kicking that sweet carb craving! I have definitely been more conscious of what I eat now that I am in my mid-thirties too and it’s nice that we can still enjoy tasty treats like this that are still healthy 🙂 Gorgeous photos as always Kiran and hope you enjoy the rest of the weekend!
Kelly recently posted..Lighter Lemon Coconut Streusel Coffee Cake

23 John@Kitchen Riffs February 23, 2014 at 12:50 PM

No matter how good of a diet you have and as much exercise you do, as you age your body changes and things head south. We all know people who are great about limiting caloric intake and who become gym rats — and look terrific! — but that’s not most of us, alas. No good answer for you, I’m afraid. But these little bites? They’re an answer for me! I love these — such great flavor. Who cares if bits and pieces are heading south when I can have these? 😉
John@Kitchen Riffs recently posted..Braised Celery with Tomato and Parmesan

24 Tanvi@SinfullySpicy February 23, 2014 at 9:41 PM

Love the combo here. I try to include as much raw produce & nuts in our diet as possible. You simple can’t go wrong with them.
I love this recipe. Such as great thing to nibble – all day maybe? lol 🙂
Tanvi@SinfullySpicy recently posted..Warm Chickpea Chaat (Indian Salad)

25 Selma February 24, 2014 at 3:09 AM

Delicious as well as healthy – it’s a win, win! I find the best way to hold fast is not to buy or keep processed food at home – you know, like crisps and fizzy drinks and if you drink a big glass of water before every meal, you stay hydrated and also don’t eat as much. It is a very sad fact that in general, the older we get, the less we need to eat. Oh and it’s really important to beef up the calcium intake as well…
Selma recently posted..Cardamom & Orange Syrup Loaf Cake

26 Helene D'Souza February 24, 2014 at 4:02 AM

well… I am in my mid 20s and I feel the same way and I wish I was 23! lol Somehow I can feel that each unhealthy food bite is taking down my energy level. I wonder how I will feel when I hit my mid 30s… Anyhow I would gladly take all your healthy bites and enjoy them alone and quietly in a corner of the house. =D

27 easyfoodsmith February 24, 2014 at 8:09 AM

Awesome Kiran! I am going to make these to snack on…delicious and healthy. My hubby is going to love these since coconut and dates are his favorite. thanks for sharing 🙂
easyfoodsmith recently posted..PAALAK PATTA CHAAT (Spinach Leaf Fritters drizzled w/ Spiced Yogurt, Green Chutney & Tamarind Sauce)

28 Dipti Joshi February 25, 2014 at 1:00 AM

Really healthy bites. Awesome clicks..feel like having a bite!
Dipti Joshi recently posted..Banana Cake Without Eggs

29 rika@vm February 25, 2014 at 11:48 AM

I will approach my 30s in a couple of years though and I understand about taking our health more seriously – and of course, more exercising and drinking plenty of water! I love these kinds of bites – coconut & almonds & a bit of salt…I bet that is pretty tasty with maple syrup, too!

30 Shashi @ http://runninsrilankan.com February 25, 2014 at 2:00 PM

Kiran these bites are incredible! Almonds, dates and chocolate – ahhhh be still my heart! These remind me of little Larabars – only with a gorgeous chocolate topping!
I love dates – they are the ultimate fuel and GREAT with curbing sweet cravings – though they dont curb my cravings for more of THEM!
Shashi @ http://runninsrilankan.com recently posted..R U A Coffee Fool? …A review post…

31 Raymund February 26, 2014 at 5:49 PM

Can you send a pack of those to New Zealand, they look so scrumptious
Raymund recently posted..Prune Bread

32 Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence February 26, 2014 at 8:11 PM

Mmmmmm, I make something similar but throw some almond butter in the mix. So tasty.
Brandon @ Kitchen Konfidence recently posted..Parchment Roasted Potatoes

33 Sylvie | Gourmande in the Kitchen February 27, 2014 at 4:57 AM

These sound like just my kind of treat!
Sylvie | Gourmande in the Kitchen recently posted..French Chard Tart (Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Vegetarian, Paleo Option)

34 Carolyn Chan March 4, 2014 at 9:28 PM

I am TOTALLY with you on the trying to be healthy thing as you get older. And TOTALLY TOTALLY with you on the carbs thing – you know they’re not great for you, but I can’t go past a bowl of rice or a good pasta. What I have tried to do is reduce the wheat that I eat – which eliminates a lot of the carbs we eat nowadays anyway. And snacking with these treats would definitely keep the sweet tooth at bay for a while – they look delicious !
Carolyn Chan recently posted..Beef Short Ribs Braised in Red Wine

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