Disclosure: This blog post is sponsored by MIA ROSA Wine. All opinions are my own.
I’ve been wanting to make a new snack bite recipe for the longest time and I couldn’t be more excited to roll out these unique bite-size snacks with a wine pairing for the record books! I’m partnering with MIA ROSA wine for this post and I’m 100% confident you’ll love both the snack bites and the wine, just as much as I do!
Energy or snack bites (whatever you want to call them!) are the best invention ever. There’s nothing like throwing a bunch of whole and nutritious ingredients in a food processor, grinding it up and rolling it into a delicious ball to be enjoyed throughout the day. And these chocolate cherry snack bites are truly the PERFECT pairing for MIA ROSA Dolce Rosso. With a lower alcohol content, MIA ROSA is an inviting and semi-sweet sparkling wine, meant to be enjoyed any time of the day- just like these snack bites. And both MIA ROSA and these chocolate cherry bites will be a hit at your next happy hour or girl’s night!
Check out those amazing ingredients- from dried cherries to medjool dates to cacao powder- these bites are exploding with flavor and nutrition. Chocolate + cherry pairs perfectly with MIA ROSA’s semi-sweet, semi-sparkling, Dolce Rosso. It’s a sweet, sassy and classy wine created in Italy and available for online order. PLUS you get free shipping on your first order when you join their club! And in case you’re wondering (because I sure was the first time I heard about MIA ROSA)- their wine won’t break the bank! It’s an unpretentious, straightforward wine that demands your attention, but not your pocketbook.
Okay- let’s make these snack bites. They are PACKED with flavor and nutrition, BUT grain free, dairy free, no sugar added and vegan, making them perfect for almost every diet!
KISS Tip #1: These almonds just need a good 10-15 seconds in the food processor- you want small pieces for this recipe- not almond flour
The other ingredients are easily tossed in after the almonds and the mixture blends with ease. If it does get a little stuck, a tablespoon of water or so will do the trick!
KISS Tip #2: Always enjoy a glass of wine while cooking.
MIA ROSA wines embody spontaneity and a passion for adventure, both of which are reflected in these energy bites. There’s something about drinking wine while developing a recipe that makes you think outside the box. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t, but deciding to throw in a pinch of cayenne pepper in the mix was a home-run decision. The subtle spice truly makes these snack bites stand out! I guess you could say these “bites have a bite to them” ;).
KISS Tip #3: Skip the cayenne and opt for cinnamon if you’re looking for a flavor boost without a zing!
KISS Spicy Chocolate Cherry Snack Bites
Servings: 20 snack bites
Equipment
- Food processor
Ingredients
- 1 cup roasted, unsalted whole almonds
- 1 1/2 cups Natural Delights Medjool Dates, pitted
- 3/4 cups dried cherries
- 2 tbsp Navitas Naturals cacao powder (if needed, regular cocoa will sub fine)
- 3 tbsp mini chocolate chips
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Soak pitted Medjool Dates in hot water for 3-5 minutes; drain.
- While Medjool dates are soaking, place almonds in food processor for 10-15 seconds until broken in small pieces (see above photo).
- Add drained Medjool dates (it's okay if they are fairly wet), cacao powder and cayenne. Blend for 30-45 seconds until well incorporated. If ingredients are sticking to side or bottom, add 1-2 teaspoons of water and process until well incorporated.
- Add cherries and process for additional ~20 seconds. Stir in mini chocolate chips.
- Using your hands, roll mixture into 1 inch size balls and place on parchment paper.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week and enjoy with a glass of MIA ROSA Dolce Rosso. Cheers!
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12 Responses
OK – loving those snack bites AND my daughter’s name is Mia Rose so clearly I must check out this wine!!
Hi Deanna! How neat! Definitely meant to be :). It’s a really unique wine that’s meant to be enjoyed any time of the day…I’m all about that! And I love your daughter’s name; so beautiful.
These look like the perfect treat to address any chocolate or sweet craving… And gotta love the wine pairing 😉
Hi Christy! Yes- they definitely satisfy all cravings and go perfectly with this semi-sweet sparkling wine! Cheers!
These look so yummy! The kick of cayenne is perfect, and you can NEVER go wrong with chocolate and cherries 🙂
Thank you! They turned out even better than I imagined and so easy to make! Thanks for stopping by :).
Ok, I need to dehydrate some cherries and make these bites ASAP!!!
Oooo yes! I thought about doing a mix of cherries and blueberries; maybe dehydrate some of those too 🙂
There is 100% everything going right with this post- I love it! Please please please send me one lol (virtually), I need a chocolate fix right now!
Ahh, I would if I could! I’d even throw in a glass of wine!
I love energy bites and these looked awesome so I tried making them yesterday and they turned out so good! I will definitely be trying them again. Thank you!
I’m so excited that you made them! Thanks so much for letting me know; really happy to hear they were a hit. All of mine are gone now so it’s definitely time for another batch!