This has to be one of the easiest, tastiest, healthiest, most awesome treats I have made yet. I am so excited to share it with you because it will satisfy just about any craving you have that you thought couldn’t be satisfied since switching to a whole foods diet. I know it seems, especially in the beginning, that there are a lot of “I can’t haves” – and there are. However, the best thing to do when phasing the bad foods out, is to phase good foods in that are equally or even more satisfying. This is challenging. I have been eating a “real” food diet for about 18 months and I am still seeking new ways to please my own sweet tooth, my husband’s and my children’s without introducing refined sugars back into our diet. Now, to be totally transparent with you, the chocolate chips do contain evaporated cane juice which is more refined than I would prefer but they contain a very low sugar count (only 5 grams per tablespoon) and contain a high quality cacao. If you would prefer to not include chocolate chips, you could fold in raisins, chopped dates or walnuts.
One other note, I made this in my VitaMix – in the dry goods container which I believe made it super simple. According to the original creator of this recipe, it can be done in a food processor. I cannot vouch for that, so if you use one, please comment and let me know how it works out. I am so glad I stumbled upon this recipe and was also so pleased that my slight modifications made it perfect! The original recipe called for agave. I do not use agave, it is highly refined and high in fructose. I subbed for all maple syrup and added a dash of salt. I hope you enjoy these! They did NOT last long in my house. The recipe yields about fifteen 1/2″ in diameter balls. I stored them in the freezer but I believe they would be fine in the fridge as well.
2/3 cup of raw cashews (unsalted)
1/3 cup of oats
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon of vanilla
dash of salt
1/4 cup of chocolate chips (or raisins, walnuts)
In the Vita-Mix dry goods container, add the cashews and oats and blend till they become a flour-like consistency. Then add in the maple syrup, vanilla and salt. Turn the Vita-Mix on low and it will quickly blend and “ball up” on top of the blade. Once it balls up (in literally seconds,) turn of the machine and dump the ball of dough on a cutting board. Dump the chocolate chips on top and work them into the dough with a spatula. Take small amounts of the dough and roll it into 1/2 inch balls. If the dough is too sticky, place it in the fridge for a half hour and then roll it into balls. I was able to make the balls right away. Store the balls, or “bites” in the freezer or refrigerator.
Life Made Whole 
What brand of chocolate chips do you use? I am VERY new to the “whole foods way of life”. I’m hoping to make small changes where I can to start. Thank you!
Mary, I use Sunspire 65% Cacao chips. I get them at Whole Foods but you can get them on vitacost.com, too. Here is a link: http://www.vitacost.com/sunspire-organic-65-cacao-bittersweet-chocolate-chips-9-oz
Please feel free to ask more questions! “Like” me on Facebook, I post recipes on there ALL the time!
Thanks. I did “like” you on facebook. =) There is a Whole Foods in my area but not close. These seem expensive ($6/9 oz bag) but I suppose you pay for what you get. I love chocolate and would need to find a good healthy alternative!
Thanks! Unfortunately they are expensive. Not many ways to get around that. Trader Joe’s sells a Fair Trade, organic chocolate bar without soy for 1.99, You could smash it up into small chunks. That would be cheaper.
Enjoy Life mini chips is another very healthy brand out there. And not as expensive as Sunspire. 😉
I’m so glad you like my recipe!
Thank YOU for sharing it!!! My husband thanks you as well!
It’s nearly impossible to find well-informed people on this subject, however, you seem like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks
Thank you!
Thanks for the kind words!
I have made this a least three times and they are great! First, I made it in the regular vita mix container, as I don’t have the dry mix one. It worked fine. I like to chop up the chips in a food processor, so they will be smaller, but that is just being picky and is not necessary.
I found using the instant oats from my natural food store’s bulk bin worked the best for me. (Better than regular, rolled oats). And finally, I used a really small cookie scoop to measure these out into tiny balls and let them sit in the fridge for a bit. OH boy! These are really, really tasty and satisfying!
Thank you so much for your thorough and informative review! I will have to try it in my regular Vitamix container! I am so glad you enjoyed them!
Hi, I found your blog/ facebook page thru a friend of mine. Im very slowly incorporating more healthy choices into my family’s eatting habits, buying less processed foods, baking more, serving more fruits and veggies ect. Im so far from where you are and it overwhelmes me to even think about going totally “whole foods”. What is some advice or a few important small changes to make to a diet, when wanting to start eatting healithier.
Kristen,
Welcome! I would like to send you an email with some great tips! Please email me at lynnzeiner1@gmail.com and I will email you in the next few days on some easy ways to start on this journey!
Lynn
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What if you don’t have any kind of a vitamix mixer?
I think I’ve tried this with a food processor, and if I remember correctly it ended up making a ball just like in the mixer. If you try it, post back and let us know. I’m sure others have wondered the same thing. (I would jump up and try it, but have no cashews at the moment).