Cocoa Cashew Pretzel Gluten Free Energy Bites! A sweet and salty combo that takes snacking to a whole new level! Dark Cocoa, Cashews, honey, peanut butter, and gluten free pretzel chips all packed into one healthy no bake energy bite! Great for kids, post workout refueling, or just as an afternoon snack!
Remember in Wednesday’s post how I told you you there would a BONUS energy bite and giveaway soon? Well… Here’s the thing. It’s the day before a holiday. It’s my birthday month, I’m all about sharing the love for both, oh and it’s FRIDAY! Which brings to this BEAST of giveaway and recipe. Okay I may be bias, but please keep reading and embrace my enthusiasm with me, ok?
These bites are an oldie but goodie. I could not let them slip by again without sharing. And who doesn’t like a sweet/salty combo?
Let’s dissect this bite, get to the gluten free energy bites recipe, and then to the giveaway. Mmm k?
First you got your cocoa powder. The bitter yet sweet dark chocolate cocoa powder that makes everything taste decadent!
Then you got your roasted cashews. Which tastes like butter when you grind them all together or puree into a sauce. Like whoa!
Next you got your pretzel chips, I used Glutino brand. Because being gluten free doesn’t mean you have to feel deprived from your favorite snack carb. Yes, these are my favorite! I like the chips version because they are light and crunchy!
Finally you have your nut butter. Now, you have few choices. You can go more plain jane and add in a salted nut butter of choice. Or you can go more sweet and smooth and add in coconut peanut butter, which is what I did and will be giving away this nut butter below. Ahem… keep reading.
Have I got your attention? I told you it was one heck of a combo. The reason why I had to make my BONUS bite for the week and one of the BEST OF healthy energy bites recipes. I crave these suckers. Consider them my travel companion as well. And when I add in extra protein powder, they make a great post workout companion.
So.. the recipe, it’s below. Make them. Savor them. Share them. Then repeat that whole process!
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Cocoa Cashew Pretzel Energy Bites
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 10 min
- Yield: 20 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeDescription
Cocoa Cashew Pretzel Energy Bites (Gluten Free)
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup crushed GF pretzels
- 1/4 cup coconut or almond flour
- 1/4 cup roasted cashews (crushed)
- 1/2 cup nut butter (I used coconut peanut butter)
- 6–8 tbsp Chocolate or Vanilla Protein Powder (you can also use peanut flour)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup raw honey or maple syrup.
- Optional- 1/2 tsp butter extract to bring out the salty or 1/2 tsp vanilla to make it more sweet flavor.
Instructions
- Blend pretzels and cashews in food processor. Transfer into a large bowl and add in all the remaining ingredients with the honey/maple syrup being the last . Mix well ( I use my hands) and roll into bite size balls. Coat bites with extra cocoa powder and a little bit of leftover crushed pretzel. I usually coat them after they have set in freezer for at least 5-10 minutes. Then return to freezer after.
- Makes about 20 balls.
- Freeze or keep in refrigerator to maintain freshness.
Here’s the bonus for the bonus bite. Consider it my Birthday present but instead of me getting the gift, I give it to you. Cause I just love you so!
These are my BEST OF GLUTEN FREE FOODS of choice. It’s what makes living and eating gluten free easy and delicious! You’ve probably seen me use these products in recipes or post on instagram, but let me gush about them again here.
- Glutino Pretzels –> like i mentioned above, that salty crisp snack is sooo good!
- Earth balance Coconut Peanut Butter—> I have 2 words, OMG GOOD! Sweet and salty at it’s finest!
- Udis Gluten Free –> Tortillas (which are so soft and heavenly), Snicker doodle Cookies (so you can make more cookie crumb bites), and Active Granola (which is filled with OMEGA goodness!)
- Evol Street Tacos –> These came into my life just a month ago. They are heavenly. They are flavorful. They are gluten free. They are TO DIE FOR!
3 winners here. Two for the Best of Gluten Free Foods package and one for a box of healthy bites. Haha, that’s even, right? But 3 is better than two, so let’s just focus on that and enjoy! US only but the Healthy Bites giveaway is open to US and Canada.
Thanks friends and Happy 4th! May it be filled with lots of fun and gluten free eating!
Favorite sweet/salty snack?
Cheers!
Hi, I’m Lindsay! Gluten Free Nutrition Specialist, food photographer and author of 
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mollie k says
July 3, 2015 at 5:50 AMright now the sweet and salty combo I am into kalamata olives and beets in my salad…cant get enough!!
mollie k says
July 3, 2015 at 5:51 AMAnd all of the gluten free products look amazing but I think Id have to say the cherry walnut granola is at the top of my list of things to try!!
Liz S. says
July 3, 2015 at 5:57 AMMy favorite sweet/salty combination is dark chocolate with salted caramel.
★★★★★
SuzLyfe (@suzlyfe) says
July 3, 2015 at 5:57 AMI almost feel bad for entering this, as I am not wholly GF, but then I don’t feel bad at all because I want it! I love chocolate and pretzels. And cashews. YUM. Trail mix or kettle corn are my favorite sweet/salty combos, but I always finish sweets with a little bit of salt to bring out the flavor! Have a great weekend, my friend 😀
Liz S. says
July 3, 2015 at 5:58 AMThe gluten free product that I am dying to try is the Earth Balance coconut and peanut spread.
Michele @paleorunningmomma says
July 3, 2015 at 6:17 AMThese are making me drool! Glutino pretzles have been the best I’ve had but I’ve never seen the chips. Pretzles were always my favorite salty snack and chocolate covered pretzels are definitely the best sweet salty snack.
Kristen says
July 3, 2015 at 6:20 AMYum these sound like a great snack!
Cara's Healthy Cravings says
July 3, 2015 at 7:00 AMYou had me at sweet and salty, best combo!
One of my fav sweet salty snacks is kettle corn, so addictive 🙂
jill conyers says
July 3, 2015 at 7:02 AMDark chocolate and almost anything with a little salt. It’s great to be able find good GF foods. Pretzel chips. I’m adding them to my grocery list.
With the flavor combination, your new bite recipe will probably be in the top 5 of the favorite energy bites!
jill conyers says
July 3, 2015 at 7:03 AMSigned up for your newsletter. I honestly thought I already had.
Leah H. says
July 3, 2015 at 7:05 AMI love the Glutino pretzels and and I love Udi products as well. I haven’t tried the Udi tortillas but I bet they are great!
Rachael says
July 3, 2015 at 7:08 AMMy favorite sweet and salty combination is Nutella and pretzels. I am dying to try the Earth Balance coconut & peanut spread!
Maggie says
July 3, 2015 at 7:08 AMMy favorite sweet/salty combo is dark chocolate with sea salt 🙂 sooo good!
Kelly Payton says
July 3, 2015 at 7:08 AMI love dark chocolate and sea salt.
Leah H. says
July 3, 2015 at 7:11 AMI love raw almond butter and dark chocolate!
Ashley says
July 3, 2015 at 7:31 AMI am totally in love with the free healthy bites ebook!! I am dying to try the active granola!
Jennifer FIsher says
July 3, 2015 at 7:32 AMchocolate and sea salt, duh
Molly says
July 3, 2015 at 7:33 AMFavorite sweet/salty combo is pretzels dipped in canned frosting. Any frosting will do but funfetti is best. Yum
Jennifer FIsher says
July 3, 2015 at 7:33 AMdying to try all the stuff , we eat ALL the foods, we eat LOTS of food
Ashley says
July 3, 2015 at 7:35 AMchocolate covered pretzels are definitely my favorite sweet salty snack!
Mackenzie H says
July 3, 2015 at 7:37 AMid love to try the coconut spread. Ps you have so many bite recipes, it’s amazing!
Whitney H says
July 3, 2015 at 7:59 AMI love peanut butter pretzels for sweet and salty 😉
Katie says
July 3, 2015 at 8:02 AMI know this is kind of lame, but my fave combo is and will always be just GORP – good ol raisins and peanuts! I love it. I don’t even love either on their own, but together, I can’t get enough. Raisins aren’t the same without a dusting of salt, so if hte GORP is unsalted…..forget it.
Katie says
July 3, 2015 at 8:04 AMObviously I want to try the Udi’s cookies, but those EVOL tacos are calling to me!
Whitney H says
July 3, 2015 at 8:05 AMI would love to try the EVOL products!
suzie says
July 3, 2015 at 8:10 AMI love chocolate covered pretzels !! My favorite GF foods are quinoa pasta?
Bam's Kitchen says
July 3, 2015 at 8:12 AMHappy Birthday Lindsay! I love the whole salty sweet combo so this would be right up my alley and all of your balls are perfectly round… how did you do that?!! Pinned, summed, sent smoke signals! Have a super weekend!
★★★★★
Christine H says
July 3, 2015 at 8:57 AMSince it is summer time and all the good movies come out, it has to be popcorn and a coke. It’s the only time I will drink a coke. Just love the combo.
Shashi @ RunninSrilankan says
July 3, 2015 at 9:02 AMOh dear – I knew coming here before I ate breakfast was a bad idea! These look insanely good, Lindsay and these might be my favorite sweet/salty combo!!! Just reading through your ingredient list is making me salivate insanely! Gah – why are you not my neighbor?!?!?!?
Oh – before I go rustle up something to eat – I gotta say – this is one heck of a giveaway – thank you!!!
Lisa @ RunWikApricot i says
July 3, 2015 at 9:02 AMI love pretzels with sweet but I’d have to say that salted caramel is my favorite sweet/salty combo.
Katherine says
July 3, 2015 at 9:08 AMYum! These must be made asap!
Jen in TX says
July 3, 2015 at 9:47 AMIt’s not a “snack” but for dinner last night, I made baked sweet potatoes and then cooked up a topping with onion, bell pepper, spinach, apple, raisins, and bacon. The sweet of the fruit with the saltiness of the bacon was wonderful.
Laur says
July 3, 2015 at 10:47 AMDoes salted peanut butter and chocolate count? lol
Tracy says
July 3, 2015 at 11:13 AMLove chocolate and sea salt!!
Tracy says
July 3, 2015 at 11:14 AMI already subscribe!
Tracy says
July 3, 2015 at 11:15 AMDying to try Udi’s snickerdoodles 🙂
Jess @hellotofit says
July 3, 2015 at 11:36 AMChocolate and pretzels might be one of my favorite sweet/salty combos. Wait, throw in some nut butter, too!!
Jess @hellotofit says
July 3, 2015 at 11:37 AMAnd I’ve subscribed to your newsletter via jessicadang2@gmail.com 🙂
Natalie says
July 3, 2015 at 11:42 AMThe dark cocoa in this sounds delish!!
What a fun giveaway! The GF tortillas and and pretzel chips – YUM.
Happy Birthday month, friend!!
Livi @ Eat, pray, work it out says
July 3, 2015 at 11:46 AMthis sounds delicious! I love the sweet and salty combination!
Laura @ This Runner's Recipes says
July 3, 2015 at 11:51 AMThese balls have EVERYTHING I could want in them. My favorite salty/sweet combo is usually chocolate chips and almonds or fruit and peanut butter. Love the GF snack giveaway! I don’t completely eliminate gluten, but I minimize it and opt for gluten-free snacks.
RAchel @ Athletic avocado says
July 3, 2015 at 11:59 AMAll of these healthy bites that you make look absolutely spectacular! I love how you used pretzels. Chocolate and pretzels are my favorite! Totally entering this giveaway 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
July 3, 2015 at 12:03 PMSweet and salty would be apple and nut butter
and it’s so weird that I still haven’t tried Udi’s tortillas! Ah!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
July 3, 2015 at 12:11 PMOk. This must happen STAT. Come over and I’ll make a wine popcorn and we’ll pair it with salty balls.
Amanda S. says
July 3, 2015 at 12:44 PMI subscribed to your newsletter!
Noelle @ Noelle's Notebook says
July 3, 2015 at 1:28 PMFavorite sweet/salty combo? Bacon and Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies…. SOOOOO GOOD!
Also, thanks for doing this amazing giveaway! Wow!
Karen says
July 3, 2015 at 1:33 PMI can’t wait to try these. I love chocolate covered pretzels.
Noelle @ Noelle's Notebook says
July 3, 2015 at 1:39 PMsubscribed to your newsletter! 🙂
Noelle @ Noelle's Notebook says
July 3, 2015 at 1:42 PMI am dying to try gluten free pretzels!
Sam @ PancakeWarriors says
July 3, 2015 at 3:11 PMFavorite sweet and salty snack right now is dates with salted cashew butter. OMG I die every time!! These cocoa pretzel bites might just change my mind though! I would love to try the gluten free Udi’s tortillas!
Debbie says
July 3, 2015 at 3:22 PMi subscribe to your newsletter <3
Debbie says
July 3, 2015 at 3:23 PMfavorite sweet/salty combination is chocolate covered pretzels. such a weakness!
Debbie says
July 3, 2015 at 3:24 PMwhich leads me to the product i am dying to try… the gluten free pretzels!
Colleen C. says
July 3, 2015 at 3:36 PMI love chocolate and pretzels
Colleen C. says
July 3, 2015 at 3:38 PMI would love to try the cookies!
Beth says
July 3, 2015 at 3:49 PMAll I can say is YUM to all these products. Thanks for the opportunity to win them!!
Beth says
July 3, 2015 at 3:53 PMpeanut butter and gluten free pretzels. Best combo!
Brittany @ Barr & Table says
July 3, 2015 at 4:21 PMMy favorite sweet and salty combo is basically anything with nut butter or chocolate 😉
★★★★★
Brittany @ Barr & Table says
July 3, 2015 at 4:22 PMThose snickerdoodle cookies sound delish!
maggie says
July 3, 2015 at 5:35 PMi love pretzels and chocolate!! Absolute favorite sweet and salty combo
Hayley says
July 3, 2015 at 7:11 PMI love a sweet and savory sandwich!!
Sarah says
July 3, 2015 at 9:52 PMSweet and salty such a delicious combo I love it!
Katie says
July 3, 2015 at 10:06 PMI would love to try the coconut pb spread! Favorite combo… apple plus almond butter with a pitch of sea salt
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
July 4, 2015 at 3:11 AMThese look SO good. I love energy balls and have to make these – I love that they are gluten free too!
Blair says
July 4, 2015 at 7:03 AMThese sound so good! I LOVE anything with a salty-sweet combo, especially if it involves chocolate. 🙂 Yummed!
Jeffrey says
July 4, 2015 at 7:20 AMMy favorite sweet/salty combo is pretzels with chocolate.
★★★★★
Jeffrey says
July 4, 2015 at 7:23 AMI really would like to try Glutino pretzels and Udi’s Granola Clusters.
Jennifer Caccamo says
July 4, 2015 at 9:50 AMFavorite salty and sweet combo-chocolate covered pretzels
Jennifer Caccamo says
July 4, 2015 at 9:51 AMI would like to try the UDIS products. I’ve heard great things about them.
Jody - Fit at 57 says
July 4, 2015 at 1:42 PMI love anything salty & sweet but I will take your ballin bite over them!
Jody - Fit at 57 says
July 4, 2015 at 1:43 PMI don’t have to be GF but fun to taste a bagel! 🙂
Beth says
July 4, 2015 at 7:29 PMUm, heck yes! I am all about pretzels! I love chocolate covered pretzels, so these bites are right up my alley. I’ve been loving cocoa flavored almonds lately as a salty/sweet treat, too. Thanks for creating and sharing this great recipe, Lindsay!
Tori says
July 4, 2015 at 9:07 PMMy favorite sweet & salty combo is toast with grape jelly topped with a fried egg!
Tori says
July 4, 2015 at 9:08 PMI’d love to try some gluten free tortillas for enchiladas!
Emily says
July 4, 2015 at 9:42 PMI love peanut butter, pretzels, and chocolate!
Emily says
July 4, 2015 at 9:42 PMI’d love to try a gluten free english muffin or bagel.
Steph says
July 4, 2015 at 9:46 PMThe coconut peanut butter. I used it to make cookies I need a new jAr!
Steph says
July 4, 2015 at 9:49 PMThe coconut peanut butter. I used it to make cookies I need a new jAr! I need to try the cookies
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says
July 5, 2015 at 8:07 AMA salty and sweet combo in my weakness! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
paige c says
July 5, 2015 at 9:04 AMi love cashews and chocolate or pretzels and chocolate! I want to try the evol meals!
Daniela says
July 5, 2015 at 11:49 AMChocolate covered pretzels!
Daniela says
July 5, 2015 at 11:51 AMThe tacos!
jessica z says
July 5, 2015 at 2:31 PMI love dark chocolate salted caramels
jessica z says
July 5, 2015 at 2:33 PMI am dying to try the Evol. Street Tacos Korean Style Beef & Kimchi
Jess says
July 5, 2015 at 7:42 PMSalt-covered popcorn with chocolate chips is my go-to snack.
Jess says
July 5, 2015 at 7:44 PMI would like to try the pb spread. I love all different kinds of pb in my greek yogurt in the morning.
Linz @ Itz Linz says
July 5, 2015 at 9:11 PMhmmm probably trail mix!
Heather says
July 5, 2015 at 9:33 PMi loooove the sweet and salty combo! kettle corn, salty pb w/jelly, brownies with a sprinkle of sea salt are some of my faves!
Heather says
July 5, 2015 at 9:33 PMalso i really want to try those udi’s tortillas! i love to make wraps for lunch
Cara says
July 6, 2015 at 6:57 AMHoney wheat pretzels with almond butter or coconut peanut butter!
Cara S says
July 6, 2015 at 9:55 AMThose tortillas are THE BEST I’ve found yet — Definitely a staple in my household!
Hilary says
July 6, 2015 at 10:01 AMMy favorite sweet and salty combo has to be trail mix! I love slightly salty nuts with some dried fruit! So yummy 🙂
I think all the street tacos look amazing!
Derrick Johnson says
July 6, 2015 at 10:07 AMMy favorite sweet&salty combo is trail mix w/the M&Ms mixed in.
Derrick Johnson says
July 6, 2015 at 10:08 AMI want to try the Earth Balance Peanut Butters.
Melanie Hill says
July 6, 2015 at 10:09 AMThese look delicious!!! I hope to win to try them out myself!! 🙂
★★★★
Melanie Hill says
July 6, 2015 at 10:11 AMAlso, my favorite sweet and salty combo is salted caramel ice cream with chocolate sprinkles! I can’t wait to try the coconut and peanut spread YUM
DANA K COUGHLIN says
July 6, 2015 at 10:12 AMMy favorite sweet/salty is gf pretzels dipped in chocolate.
DANA K COUGHLIN says
July 6, 2015 at 10:14 AMI have never tried the Street tacos or Udis snickerdoodles, those sound good.
stacey says
July 6, 2015 at 11:12 AMchocolate dipped pretzels
stacey says
July 6, 2015 at 11:14 AMwould like to try the tortillas
Lauren says
July 6, 2015 at 11:16 AMI LOVE peanut butter pretzels, so this is a great combo for me!
Lauren says
July 6, 2015 at 11:17 AMI’ve been dying to try the new gluten free condiments – ketchup, etc. on the market. Out of this selection, I’d love to try the coconut & peanut spread. Yum!
Catherine says
July 6, 2015 at 4:53 PMI love apples and peanut butter!
Catherine says
July 6, 2015 at 4:56 PMI have wanted to try the gluten free granola for awhile now! I’m a sucker for good granola!
DJ says
July 6, 2015 at 5:48 PMBananas and almond butter.
DJ says
July 6, 2015 at 5:51 PMI want to try the Snicker Doodle cookies.
Jolene says
July 6, 2015 at 6:41 PMYUM! this may be your best flava combo yet! love you!
Cotter Crunch says
July 6, 2015 at 9:43 PMLove you more! I think I need a watermelon bite for you next
Molly Rose says
July 7, 2015 at 5:19 AMpretzel pieces in healthy bites?! THAT would be my favorite sweet/salty snack 😉 I’m a trail mix gal, so any sweet/salty mix I can get my hands on is usually gone pretty quickly.
Heather (Where's the Beach) says
July 7, 2015 at 7:42 AMI have all the ingredients including the GF pretzels! I feel like balls are on tap teehee. I would love to try out the tortillas b/c most tend to just fall to bits and pieces.
chickie brewer says
July 7, 2015 at 3:36 PMSalty chips and chocolate ice cream is one of them.
Bianca @ sweet dreaming says
July 7, 2015 at 5:26 PMchocolate covered pretzels!
Bianca @ sweet dreaming says
July 7, 2015 at 5:27 PMUdis Gluten Free Snicker doodle Cookies and Granola!!
Jennifer says
July 9, 2015 at 2:52 PMSounds like a great combination- and a healthy snack!
Elisa says
July 9, 2015 at 6:45 PMSweet-salty is my favorite flavor combo ever! I love salting my sweets — I made salted chocolate-covered frozen banana slices the other day and they were amazing. Thanks for the great giveaway!
Elisa says
July 9, 2015 at 6:50 PMI would like to try Udi’s cookies and Glutino pretzels!
GK says
July 9, 2015 at 8:16 PMI like cheese & crakers followed by cookies.
Sara says
July 10, 2015 at 4:00 PMSalted caramel is hard to beat.
EmiLY says
July 10, 2015 at 6:34 PMI like putting peanut butter between pretzels and dipping in chocolate, yum!
Nancy says
September 24, 2015 at 10:27 PMI heard you on endurance planet this week and visited your site. I just made these bites and they are to die for! Thank you so much! I am going to be making all of your note recipes. How do they behave in a pocket on a hot bike ride?
Cotter Crunch says
September 25, 2015 at 6:42 AMGreat! They should last, make sure to freeze them first and maybe not put any extra chocolate coating on them. Keep me posted!