Fresh banana never reaches these banana bread protein bites. I use three whole dried bananas instead.
Dried banana goes into the food processor with dates, almonds, protein powder, peanut butter, and cocoa nibs. Almond milk provides the moisture needed to turn the mixture into a sticky dough I can roll without baking.
Dried Bananas Go Into the Food Processor
Chop three whole dried bananas into pieces.
Add them to a food processor with ½ cup pitted dates, ¼ cup almond flour, and ¼ cup raw almonds.
The dried fruit provides banana flavor without adding the moisture of fresh banana.
Pumpkin Seed Protein Powder Goes in Next
Add ½ cup pumpkin seed protein powder.
Another natural protein powder can take its place. Add ¼ cup natural peanut butter or almond butter.
The recipe uses almond flour rather than oats, which keeps the bites grain-free.
I Put Only Half the Cocoa Nibs Inside
Measure ¼ cup raw cocoa nibs, but don’t add all of them to the processor.
Add two tablespoons to the banana mixture and save the rest for later.
Process everything for one to two minutes, until the ingredients start coming together.
Almond Milk Goes in While the Processor Is Running
Keep the food processor running and pour ¼ cup unsweetened almond milk through the opening.
Watch the texture as the liquid goes in. The mixture should begin forming clumps and become sticky enough to hold together when pressed.
Once it reaches that point, transfer it to a bowl.
I Roll the Bites in the Remaining Cocoa Nibs
Spread the reserved cocoa nibs across a plate or baking sheet.
Wet your hands, scoop about one tablespoon of the banana mixture, and roll it between your palms. Then roll each ball across the cocoa nibs so pieces stick to the outside.
Continue until the mixture is gone. The recipe makes about 12 bites.
They Go Into the Fridge, Not the Oven
There’s no baking step.
Once shaped, store the protein bites in the refrigerator or freezer. The dried bananas, dates, almond flour, nuts, protein powder, and peanut butter form the base, while almond milk adds enough moisture to hold it together.
Fresh bananas may be the ingredient I associate with banana bread, but I don’t need one here. Three dried bananas give these no-bake bites their banana base before the first drop of almond milk reaches the processor.
Would you use dried bananas in protein bites, or reach for a fresh banana?
