It's 9 PM on a Tuesday and liam's staring into the pantry asking for brownies. The oven's off, I'm in pajamas, and the idea of preheating anything sounds absolutely terrible. That's when these no bake brownie bites saved my life. Five minutes of throwing dates, cocoa powder, and a few other things into the food processor, and suddenly I look like the hero mom with fresh "brownies" that didn't heat up the kitchen or dirty half my baking pans. The first time I made them, liam watched me with total suspicion - no oven meant no real brownies in his seven-year-old mind. One bite shut him up completely.
Why You'll Love This No Bake Brownie Bites
I've made these no bake brownie bites at least three times a week for the past two years. Not kidding - three times a week minimum. They're that easy and that good. No mixer, no oven, no waiting around for things to cool down. You dump everything in a food processor, pulse it until it clumps together, roll it into balls, and you're done. The whole thing takes less time than it takes to preheat an oven. They taste like real fudgy No Bake Brownie Bites- that dense, rich chocolate flavor that makes you stop talking mid-sentence when you take a bite.
Here's what really got me hooked - they're not junk food. Dates, nuts, cocoa powder, maybe some oats depending on what's in my cabinet. That's it. No butter, no flour, no actual sugar beyond what's already in the dates. liam has absolutely no clue he's eating something that's basically healthy. His friends come over and eat six of them, then ask if we have regular No Bake Brownie Bites, and I get to tell them "you just ate them." Their faces are priceless every time. You can shove them in lunch boxes, keep them in your purse for emergencies, stick them in the fridge for those moments when you need chocolate right now but don't want to demolish half a cake.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This No Bake Brownie Bites
- No Bake Brownie Bites Ingredients
- How To Make No Bake Brownie Bites
- Equipment For No Bake Brownie Bites
- No Bake Brownie Bites Variations
- Smart Swaps for No Bake Brownie Bites
- Storing Your No Bake Brownie Bites
- Top Tip
- What to Serve With No Bake Brownie Bites
- FAQ
- Time to Make Your Own Batch
- Related
- Pairing
- No Bake Brownie Bites
No Bake Brownie Bites Ingredients
The Base:
- Medjool dates
- Raw almonds or walnuts
- Cocoa powder
- Rolled oats
- Vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
Optional Mix-Ins:
- Mini chocolate chips
- Peanut butter or almond butter
- Shredded coconut
- Espresso powder
For Rolling:
- Extra cocoa powder
- Crushed nuts
- Coconut flakes
- Powdered sugar
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make No Bake Brownie Bites
Prep Your Dates:
- Check each date for pits (seriously, check them all)
- If they're hard, soak in warm water for 10 minutes
- Drain completely and pat dry
- Room temperature dates blend way better than cold ones
Blend Everything:
- Throw nuts into food processor first
- Pulse until they're chopped but not butter (about 10 pulses)
- Add dates, cocoa powder, oats, vanilla, and salt
- Process for 1-2 minutes until it looks like wet sand and sticks together when you pinch it
Test and Adjust:
- Grab a small amount and squeeze it
- If it holds together, you're good
- If it's too dry and crumbly, add 1-2 more dates or a splash of water
- If it's too sticky, add more oats or cocoa powder
Roll and Finish:
- Scoop out tablespoon-sized amounts
- Roll between your palms into balls (liam loves this part)
- Roll in cocoa powder, nuts, or whatever you want
- Put them on a plate or in a container
Equipment For No Bake Brownie Bites
- Food processor (this is non-negotiable, a blender won't work)
- Measuring cups
- Small cookie scoop or tablespoon
- Airtight container for storage
No Bake Brownie Bites Variations
Two years of making these constantly means we've tried basically everything:
Peanut Butter Brownie Bites:
- Add ¼ cup peanut butter to the mixture
- Creates creamier texture and amazing PB chocolate combo
- Roll in crushed peanuts for extra crunch
- liam's absolute favorite version
Mint Chocolate:
- Add ½ teaspoon peppermint extract to base
- Mix in dark chocolate chips
- Roll in crushed candy canes during holidays
- Tastes like those Girl Scout cookies
Cookie Dough Bites:
- Skip the cocoa powder completely
- Add 2 tablespoons almond butter
- Mix in mini chocolate chips
- Roll in extra oats for texture
Espresso Chocolate:
- Add 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
- Makes them taste more grown-up and rich
- Perfect for afternoon pick-me-up
- Not recommended for kids' lunch boxes (learned that one)
Coconut Almond:
- Add ¼ cup shredded coconut to mixture
- Use almond extract instead of vanilla
- Roll in toasted coconut flakes
- Tastes like Almond Joy bars
Smart Swaps for No Bake Brownie Bites
Nut-Free Version:
- Almonds/walnuts → Sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds
- Nut butter → Sunbutter or tahini
- Works great, tastes slightly different but still good
Different Sweeteners:
- Dates → Dried figs or prunes (use same amount)
- All dates → Half dates, half maple syrup (add extra oats to compensate)
- Note: Dates work best, but these alternatives get you close
Grain-Free:
- Rolled oats → Extra nuts or coconut flakes
- Makes them richer and more expensive but worth it if you can't do oats
Protein Boost:
- Add 2 tablespoons protein powder (chocolate works best)
- Reduce oats by same amount
- Might need extra water to bind
Chocolate Level:
- Regular cocoa → Dark cocoa powder for deeper flavor
- Add mini chocolate chips for more chocolate (liam's preference)
- Mix in cacao nibs for crunch
Storing Your No Bake Brownie Bites
Making these constantly means I've figured out exactly how to keep them fresh:
Fridge Storage (2 weeks):
- Put them in an airtight container
- Layer between parchment paper if you're stacking them
- They get firmer in the fridge, which I actually prefer
- Pull them out 5 minutes before eating if you want them softer
Freezer Storage (3 months):
- Freeze them on a baking sheet first so they don't stick together
- Transfer to freezer bags once they're solid
- Pull out one or two at a time for snacks
- They thaw in about 10 minutes on the counter
Room Temperature (3 days max):
- Only works if your house isn't hot
- They get softer and stickier at room temp
- Great for lunch boxes that won't see a fridge
- Don't leave them out in summer - they'll turn into mush
Top Tip
- The fridge is where these live at my house. I make a batch, stick them in an airtight container, and they're good for two weeks. They get firmer when they're cold, which I actually like better than room temperature - they have more bite to them and feel more like real No Bake Brownie Bites. If you want them softer, just pull them out five minutes before you eat them. I layer mine between sheets of parchment paper when I'm stacking them so they don't stick together, but honestly that's only if I'm being organized.
- The freezer is my secret weapon for these no bake brownie bites. I always make a double batch and freeze half. Spread them out on a baking sheet first so they freeze individually and don't turn into one giant chocolate blob. Once they're solid, throw them in a freezer bag. Then you can pull out one or two whenever you need them. They thaw in about ten minutes sitting on the counter, or you can eat them frozen if you're into that.
- Room temperature storage only works for about three days, and only if your house isn't hot. They get softer and stickier when they're warm, which isn't necessarily bad but they won't hold their shape as well. This is actually perfect for lunch boxes though - they'll sit out for a few hours without going bad, and by lunchtime they're the perfect texture. Just don't try this in summer.
What to Serve With No Bake Brownie Bites
These work for basically everything. I've served them as dessert when we had people over for dinner, and I've also shoved them in liam's lunch box next to a sandwich and some grapes. They fit anywhere you need chocolate that doesn't require plates or forks. For dessert, they're perfect with coffee or tea - the bitter drink cuts through the sweetness and makes both taste better. I also dump them on a plate when friends come over in the afternoon. Add some fruit next to them and suddenly it looks like I planned something instead of panicking at the last minute. They're also perfect for road trips because they don't melt or fall apart in hot cars like real brownies do.
For actual meals, these make sense when you've cooked something simple for dinner and need something sweet at the end. Grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, rice - finish it off with a couple of these and maybe some tea and you're done. No separate dessert production required. They also work for parties where you need small desserts people can grab with their hands. Put them on a platter with cookies and No Bake Brownie Bites and they go fast. During the holidays I make huge batches and keep them in the fridge so when people show up unexpectedly, I can pull out a plate and pretend I'm organized.
FAQ
What are common mistakes with no bake cookies?
The biggest mistake is not using fresh enough dates. Hard, dried-out dates won't blend smooth and your mixture will be grainy and won't stick together. I've also seen people try to use a blender instead of a food processor - don't do it. Blenders just smear everything around instead of chopping and mixing it properly. Another common problem is not pulsing long enough. If you stop too early, you get chunks instead of that smooth, fudgy texture.
How to tell when No Bake Brownie Bites are done?
These no bake brownie bites don't need baking, so "done" just means properly mixed. Grab a small amount and squeeze it in your hand. If it holds together like cookie dough and doesn't crumble apart, you're good. If it falls apart, add another date or a tiny splash of water and blend again. The mixture should look like wet sand and feel sticky but not soaking wet.
Do brownie bites need to be refrigerated?
Not technically, but they're way better cold. Room temperature is fine for a couple days if your house isn't hot, but they get softer and stickier the longer they sit out. I always keep mine in the fridge because they last longer and the texture is better. Plus in summer they'll turn into chocolate mush if you leave them on the counter.
What can I do with brownie mix and no oven?
This recipe doesn't use brownie mix at all - it's made from scratch with dates and cocoa powder. But if you have brownie mix and no oven, you can't really make these with it. Brownie mix needs heat to work. Your best bet is to make these from scratch using the recipe above, or look for mug brownie recipes that use the microwave.
Time to Make Your Own Batch
You've got everything now - the right dates to use, how to work that food processor so it actually blends instead of just spinning things around, why keeping them in the fridge makes them taste better the next day, and how to tell when the mixture is actually ready to roll. These no bake brownie bites prove that you don't need an oven or fancy equipment or even that much time to fix a chocolate craving. Just a food processor and five minutes of throwing things in and pressing a button.You probably have most of this stuff already. Dates, nuts, cocoa powder - that's basic pantry ingredients if you've been cooking for more than a month.
Want more recipes that don't heat up your kitchen? Our Best Key Lime Pie Cupcakes bring that sharp, tangy Florida flavor to something you can hold in one hand and eat at a party without needing a fork. They're perfect for summer when turning on the oven sounds like torture. Looking for something that looks way fancier than it actually is? Try our Easy Raspberry Filled Almond Snowball Cookies that look like they came from a bakery but take less time than going to the store to buy cookies. Need something fast for weekend breakfast? Our Easy Blueberry Cream Cheese Crescent Rolls use the dough from a can and taste like you've been baking since 6 AM.
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Related
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with No Bake Brownie Bites
No Bake Brownie Bites
Equipment
- 1 Food processor (Non-negotiable - blender won't work)
- 1 Measuring cup set (For nuts, oats, and dates)
- 1 Tablespoon or small scoop (For portioning balls)
- 1 Airtight container (For storage)
- 1 Baking sheet (optional) (For freezing)
Ingredients
- 1 cup Medjool dates (pitted) - Soak if dry, then pat dry
- 1 cup Raw almonds or walnuts - Can mix both
- ¼ cup Cocoa powder - Use dark for deeper flavor
- ¼ cup Rolled oats - Optional, helps bind and bulk
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract - Optional but adds flavor
- 1 pinch Sea salt - Enhances chocolate flavor
- Mini chocolate chips - Optional mix-in
- Peanut butter or almond butter - Optional creamy add-in
- Shredded coconut - Optional for texture
- Espresso powder - Optional, for adult version
- Cocoa powder / nuts / coconut flakes - For rolling
Instructions
- Check each Medjool date for pits. If they're firm or dry, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes, then drain and pat dry completely.
- Add raw almonds or walnuts to the food processor. Pulse about 10 times until chopped finely but not turned into nut butter.
- Add pitted dates, cocoa powder, rolled oats, vanilla extract, and sea salt to the food processor. Process for 1-2 minutes until the mixture looks like wet sand and clumps together when pinched.
- Test the mixture by squeezing a small amount in your hand. If it crumbles, add another date or a splash of water. If too sticky, add a bit more oats or cocoa powder.
- Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of the mixture. Roll between your palms into smooth, even balls.
- Roll the brownie bites in cocoa powder, crushed nuts, coconut flakes, or your preferred coating.
- Place bites in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks or freeze up to 3 months. Optional: chill for 10 minutes before serving for a firmer texture.
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