Chocolate Orange Bat Bites (Vegan & Gluten-Free)

Makes: 16 bat bites
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chilling Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

For the bat bites

  • 200g soft Medjool dates, pitted

  • 100g almonds

  • 2 tbsp cocoa powder

  • Zest of 1 orange

  • 1 tsp orange extract (optional)

  • Pinch of sea salt

For decorating

  • 100g vegan dark chocolate

  • 16 gluten-free pretzels, broken in half

  • 20g vegan white chocolate, melted

  • Optional: edible eyes

Method

  1. Make the filling

    • Add the dates, almonds, cocoa powder, orange zest, orange extract (if using) and salt to a food processor.

    • Blend until the mixture comes together and is slightly sticky.

  2. Shape the bites

    • Roll the mixture into 16 bite-sized balls.

    • Place on a lined tray and chill for 15 minutes.

  3. Coat in chocolate

    • Melt the dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water, or in short bursts in the microwave.

    • Dip each ball into the chocolate and place back onto the lined tray.

  4. Add the wings

    • Before the chocolate sets, gently press two pretzel halves into each side of the ball to create bat wings.

  5. Add the eyes

    • Melt the vegan white chocolate and transfer to a small piping bag or sandwich bag with the corner snipped off.

    • Pipe two small dots onto each bat for eyes.

    • Alternatively, use edible eyes.

  6. Chill and serve

    • Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes until the chocolate has fully set.

    • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week.

Halloween Twist

Make your bats even spookier by:

  • Adding a tiny triangle of orange peel to resemble little bat ears.

  • Dusting lightly with edible silver lustre for a moonlit effect.

  • Serving on a black platter surrounded by chocolate "graveyard" crumbs.

  • Arranging them flying around a bowl of tangerines painted with jack-o'-lantern faces.

High-Protein Version

For a more filling snack:

  • Increase almonds to 150g.

  • Add 2 tbsp almond butter.

  • Mix in 1 tbsp hemp seeds.

  • Sprinkle crushed pistachios on top before the chocolate sets.