Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge Bites (paleo, grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan)

These chocolate hazelnut fudge bites are raw and naturally grain-free and gluten-free with paleo, vegan and dairy-free options! Can be put together in less than 5 minutes.

Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge Bites – raw and naturally grain-free and gluten-free with paleo, vegan and dairy-free options! Can be put together in less than 5 minutes.

I had no idea what to call these things! Chocolate hazelnut was clear. But brownie bites? Fudge bites. Brownie balls. I dunno.

I wanted to make something healthier for Valentine’s Day but I don’t really do the pink food coloring thing. That leaves heart-shaped brownies and chocolate stuff, right? ;)

Unlike the usual “brownie bites,” these don’t taste healthy (although, they don’t actually taste like fudge or brownies!) That’s because I added a little chocolate. I’ve tried adding more cocoa powder and coconut sugar or honey but it’s just not the same.

These Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge Bites are naturally gluten-free and grain-free with paleo, vegan and dairy-free options! Can be put together in less than 5 minutes.

These are mostly date sweetened but I also used a tiny bit of honey here but you could also use agave for a vegan version. I used honey and not coconut sugar because I needed something sticky to help hold everything together. And it worked out just fine!

All you do for these is blend everything together in a food processor and then roll into balls. It’s super quick and easy!

For whatever reason, I can buy roasted blanched chopped hazelnuts at every store for the same price as whole hazelnuts. This makes life so much easier! Roasting hazelnuts and removing the skin is SO time consuming, messy and just plain annoying.

These Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge Bites are naturally gluten-free and grain-free with paleo, vegan and dairy-free options!

After doing some research, it seems like hazelnuts are pretty expensive in the US. And blanched are ridiculously expensive! If you love baking with hazelnuts like me, you might want to check out Amazon where you can buy them in bulk and save a little money. Or you can use almonds in place of the hazelnuts!

I’ve tried different methods for blanching hazelnuts, but this is the least annoying: how to peel hazelnuts.

And despite these chocolate hazelnut fudge bites being dairy-free, grain-free, gluten-free and vegan… they’re pretty awesome. I’m telling you, the added chocolate makes all the difference!

Don’t forget to enter the Berlin goodies giveaway! Plus there are some pretty mindblowing raspberry cheesecake brownies in that post. :)

Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge Bites (paleo, vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free)

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Rated 4.3 by 4 readers
Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge Bites (paleo, grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan)
  • Prep Time:
  • Cook Time:
  • Ready in:
  • Yield: 36 3/4" balls

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups (230 grams) blanched hazelnuts
  • 100 grams dates (this is about 16 normal-sized dates)
  • 2 teaspoons honey (or agave for a vegan version)
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 1/4 cup (45 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips (use Enjoy Life chocolate chips for dairy-free / vegan / paleo)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • For piping:

  • 1/3 cup (60 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted

Directions

  1. In the bowl of your food processor fitted with an S-blade, grind the hazelnuts until they resemble flour. If you blend too long, it'll turn into hazelnut butter.
  2. Remove the hazelnuts from the food processor and set aside.
  3. Add the dates to the food processor and pulse until a paste forms.
  4. Add the remaining ingredients (except for the piping chocolate) and pulse until fully combined and then add the pulsed hazelnuts. Pulse a few times until well combined.
  5. Press the dough into 3/4" balls (or whatever size you like). They will appear to be greasy at first but once they're formed, they won't taste or feel at all greasy.
  6. Pipe or drizzle on some semi-sweet or dark chocolate, if desired.
  7. Place the balls in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to a week. Freeze any leftovers after that.

Recipe by  | www.texanerin.com

The post is linked to Allergy Free Wednesdays.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info, see my disclosure.

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50 comments on “Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge Bites (paleo, grain-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan)” — Add one!

  • Ruth Lloyd says
    June 12, 2017 @ 5:20 am

    Computer will not except name or e-mail address. I can’t even write it in. I would like to try all of them. Hubby and I are on low carb diet. Have been looking for goodies just to top off a meal.

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Ruth Lloyd
      June 18, 2017 @ 10:20 am

      But you did write? I’m a little confused. Are you trying to sign up for the newsletter? Or trying to enter the giveaway I mention at the end of this post? (It’s closed now – that post is 3 years old).

      Reply
  • Lisa | Mummy Made.It says
    May 31, 2016 @ 2:50 pm

    I used to roast my hazelnuts but after an (expensive) incident when I forgot to get them out of the oven I decided plain was fine. The skin must be good for you…somehow?!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Lisa | Mummy Made.It
      June 1, 2016 @ 1:57 pm

      Haha. I’ve had way too many expensive accidents like that. ;) And the skin must have fiber or something good for you – I agree! I guess unblanched would be fine in these but I really prefer it blanched in things like nut butters. :)

      Reply
  • plasterers bristol says
    February 23, 2015 @ 8:20 am

    Now this sounds delicious, thanks for posting up this recipe.

    Simon

    Reply
  • Sinead Thornton
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    says
    May 22, 2014 @ 3:36 am

    No baking required? How long do you leave them in the fridge before eating?

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Sinead Thornton
      May 22, 2014 @ 1:55 pm

      No baking required and you can eat them immediately after rolling into balls. :)

      Reply
  • Lisa says
    April 29, 2014 @ 9:51 pm

    I don’t have any hazelnuts. I do have cashews and I have whole almonds. Have you tried it with either of those nuts?

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Lisa
      April 29, 2014 @ 10:09 pm

      I haven’t tried that but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work. I hope you’ll enjoy them! :)

      Reply
  • Heide M.
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    says
    February 28, 2014 @ 6:21 pm

    Looks yummy

    Reply
  • Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
    February 16, 2014 @ 1:43 am

    I love anything chocolate hazelnut, these bites look so good. I’d definitely have to hide them in the freezer ;).

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Laura (Tutti Dolci)
      February 17, 2014 @ 8:22 pm

      Hehe. You know they’re just going to call your name from in there. ;)

      Reply
  • Marina says
    February 15, 2014 @ 7:12 pm

    Hi Erin,
    These bites I found on Pinterest and I decided to try them out. Well I have made them twice in 2 days. I was hoping to freeze some both times…yeah right! We have practically been fighting over these. I can’t thank you enough for this amazing recipe! I have a serious sweet tooth and this healthy sweet totally satisfied, and it’s so filling! I shared some with friends and family and everyone loved them. I’m sending them all here to find the recipe:) I have subscribed and am excited to try more! Thank you!!!!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Marina
      February 15, 2014 @ 9:52 pm

      Oh, yay! I’m so happy that you enjoyed the bites! I guess you’ll just have to make a double batch next time in hopes of freezing some. ;) Thanks for sharing the recipe with others (if one of Marina’s friends or relatives is reading this – hi Marina’s friend or relative! :D) and for the feedback! I really appreciate it. :)

      Reply
  • Baking Friends Forever says
    February 10, 2014 @ 8:40 pm

    Wow, these are amazing, look delicious!

    Reply
  • Tessa@TessaTheDomesticDiva says
    February 10, 2014 @ 3:50 pm

    Hi Erin! I will be featuring your recipe this week on Allergy Free Wednesday, thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  • Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts says
    February 10, 2014 @ 3:08 am

    These are kind of like Lara bars, here in the US. I love them, and I can’t wait to make these little bites!

    Reply
  • Becca-cookie jar treats says
    February 9, 2014 @ 5:34 pm

    Mmmm. Bite sized foods are so good. Even though I end up having like ten of them in one sitting. The chocolate drizzle on these just make them more appealing. :)

    Reply
  • Anna (Hidden Ponies) says
    February 7, 2014 @ 9:34 pm

    You make these look so much prettier than I ever could :) Love how healthy they are and that I’d still actually really want to eat them!

    Reply
  • Carla | Carla's Confections says
    February 5, 2014 @ 6:41 pm

    I love everything about these. Especially the chocolate drizzle on top! :)

    Reply
  • Kira - HealthAble Old Soul
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    says
    February 5, 2014 @ 5:05 am

    Raw ‘type’ foods are my favorite. They are packed with nutrients and delicious EFA’s. Ever get your hazelnuts from Oregon? They are so deliciously fresh!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Kira – HealthAble Old Soul
      February 5, 2014 @ 7:43 pm

      I never get my hazelnuts from Oregon because I’m in Germany right now. ;) I’d love to try them, though!

      Reply
  • Jennie @themessybakerblog says
    February 5, 2014 @ 1:33 am

    Ooooo, how yummy. I haven’t purchased blanched hazelnuts before, but I have purchased them in regular form. All I did was roast them in the oven then rubbed the skins off. It was fairly simple. These really look amazing. I want. Pinned.

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Jennie @themessybakerblog
      February 5, 2014 @ 7:48 pm

      Thanks for pinning! And I’ve had bad luck with roasting and rubbing the skin off. I can only get half of it off!

      Reply
  • Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies says
    February 5, 2014 @ 1:20 am

    How do you get the perfect zig-zag on top so perfect and zig-zaggy? Because if I made these, there would be thumbprints on them and drips all over. You have mad skillz! And now I’m hungry for fudge bites…

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies
      February 5, 2014 @ 7:47 pm

      Hahaha. That’s normally me! I always wonder how these bloggers put together perfect parfaits and pipe stuff so nicely. Piping balls is the one thing I can do. :D

      Reply
  • Rose | The Clean Dish
    ♥♥♥♥♥
    says
    February 4, 2014 @ 9:41 pm

    Dang, Erin. I actually have all the ingredients at home and I’m fresh out of sweet treats – guess what I’m making tonight!! :) Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  • Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
    February 4, 2014 @ 5:55 pm

    I would love to have a batch of these on hand for when I need a dose of chocolate!

    Reply
  • Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
    February 4, 2014 @ 3:40 pm

    These look dangerously good. I would eat way too many of these.

    Reply
  • Melissa @ Bless this Mess says
    February 4, 2014 @ 5:21 am

    These look AMAZING!!! Now to hunt down some hazelnuts :) Thanks you!

    Reply
  • Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
    February 4, 2014 @ 12:01 am

    Fabulous, Erin! I’m totally loving this recipe as well as your photography. I’m addicted to all sweets chocolate and hazelnut. And, I like that you went with ‘fudge bites’ for the recipe title. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  • Loretta says
    February 3, 2014 @ 11:21 pm

    These look fantastic, Erin! I still haven’t settled on what I’ll be making for Valentine’s Day, but whatever I decide, I know it will be loaded with chocolate!

    Reply
    • Erin replies to Loretta
      February 5, 2014 @ 9:00 pm

      Sounds like a plan! Chocolate is always right. ;)

      Reply
  • Kelly @ hidden fruits and veggies says
    February 3, 2014 @ 9:47 pm

    Chocolate + hazelnut = music to my ears. I’ve never noticed hazelnuts being too expensive here, but it might just be because I don’t want to know. Not giving up my hazelnut addiction ;-)

    Reply
  • Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
    February 3, 2014 @ 7:47 pm

    These are pure balls of goodness! YUM!

    Reply

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