These Chocolate Energy Balls with Dates! These delish little bites are made with almonds, cocoa powder, and naturally sweet dates for a rich, fudgy snack. They require just four main ingredients, come together quickly in a food processor, and are vegan, gluten-free, and Whole30-compatible.
It’s a Date! Let’s Make Chocolate Energy Balls
Feeling snackish? Me too. Me three. Me four!
I originally called these chocolate date truffles, and honestly, that name still fits. They’re rich, chewy, and satisfyingly fudgy, but they’re made with dates, almonds, cocoa powder, and a few simple flavourings rather than chocolate and cream.
Everything gets blitzed together in the food processor, rolled into bite-sized balls, and tucked into the fridge for whenever you need a little something chocolatey. And I mean, don't we all need a little something chocolately now and then?!
They’re perfect for lunchboxes, afternoon slumps, or those moments when you want dessert but don’t particularly want to make dessert. I don't always have the energy to whip up a batch of Fudgy Adzuki Bean Brownies if you know what I mean!
Alright, let me show you how easy it is to make these sweet little chocolate date balls. Let's go!
Let's make Chocolate Date Balls together!
Ok, my friend, let me show you exactly how easy this is. If you've got a food processor, you're in business. It'll do the heavy lifting for you.
Step 1: Make the date mixture
You're going to start by putting the almonds into your food processor and pulsing to break them up into a fine powder.
Then add the dates and vanilla, and let the food processor run to break up the dates.
Lastly, add the coconut, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and salt, and process until well combined. The mixture should look crumbly, like wet sand.
Step 2: roll your date balls!
Scoop tablespoons of the date mixture and use your (clean!) hands to roll them into balls. Roll the balls in more coconut to coat, if you like.
Repeat with the remaining mixture, then transfer the chocolate date energy balls into the fridge for at least an hour to firm up.
That's it! You're done!
Chocolate Energy Balls with Dates
Ingredients
- ½ cup raw almonds
- 20 Medjool dates pitted
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup unsweetened shredded coconut divided
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt
Instructions
- Place the almonds into a food processor and pulse several times to break them up, then let it run for a few minutes to grind them into a fine powder.½ cup raw almonds
- Add the dates and vanilla, and again pulse to break the dates up, then let the processor run for 30 seconds or so.20 Medjool dates, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Add coconut, cocoa, cinnamon, and salt, and pulse until well combined. The mixture should be slightly crumbly but should keep together easily when you press it together with your hands.0.33 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, ⅓ cup cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt
- If the mixture is too crumbly, add a small amount of water and pulse to combine. If the mixture is too wet, add a little more coconut.
- Spread ½ cup coconut onto a plate. Scoop tablespoons of the date mixture into your hand and roll them into smooth balls. Roll the balls in the coconut, then place on a plate or sheet of parchment.0.33 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- Refrigerate for a couple of hours until firm.
Notes
- Nutrition values are an estimate only
Nutrition
Annie says
These are the best protein balls. When I am craving something chocolaty this is my go to recipe. Thank you so much for sharing.
Katie Trant says
Aww, yay! Thanks, Annie! So glad you enjoyed these as much as we do 🙂
Abigail says
Can I substitute deglet noor dates for medjool dates?
Katie Trant says
I've never tried this recipe with another kind of date, but I'm sure it would be fine with a similar quantity. If you do try, please let us know in the comments!
Olivia says
I made this recipe with the left over almond meal after making almond milk with 1 cup of almonds. It worked perfectly and was delicious!
Thank you!
Diana Marquez says
Made these tonight and they are delicious. I don’t like overly sweet snacks but these are just perfect. Thanks!
Zoe says
Super easy and great.
Didn't have cacao powder so I added a bit of melted veg choc and some ground up chia seeds.
No coconut the first time I made them but put some coco oil in ( helped with chia
Second time made them as recipe says.
Great recipe.
Can play around less dates etc if too sweet.
Thanks Nutrition Lady 😘
Debbie says
Hi Katie! I guess I've made a lot of your delicious recipes already. This one is super delicious. I made them and they are in my freezer for anytime I really want a snack or dessert.
christelle says
I am in need of inspiration for healthier after school snacks. I already made a batch of your peanut butter bars (super delicious), I will now try this one too. However, can I freeze them? Thanks Katie.
Katie Trant says
Hey Christelle! I've actually never tried freezing this recipe. They last quite a long time in the fridge (like, a few weeks) so I've never tried. However, I can't think of any reason why you couldn't freeze them. If you do, please let us know how it goes!
Debbie says
I just made these and froze them for a tropical fruit club. I'm eating a frozen one right now to test it for you. YUMMY
I added half of a ripe banana to make them hold together.
Did you try the Adzuki Bean Brownies from this blog? I've taken them to several tropical fruit societies and they were the favorite. I will make more and freeze them to feed my grandkids.
Lauren says
These are going to be perfect little snacks while I’m at home with my new little bub. So delicious!
Sam says
Is there any way I can omit the coconut?
themuffinmyth says
You could use oats instead of the coconut if that works for you.
emilytakesabreak says
These are delicious! Thanks for leaving them for me. Yum yum yum.
alisonbonner@gmail.com says
yummy. can't wait to try these.
Cammy says
These look great and simple. I'm gonna eat the whole batch!
themuffinmyth says
I definitely thought of you as I was making them. I think you're going to love them! Let me know how they turn out!
Krishelle says
Super excited about trying these with peanuts insteadi I'm allergic to almonds.
Does the 101 calories apply to one ball or what is the "serving size"
Thanks
Katie Trant says
That calculation is for one ball, based on making 20 balls. So if you make them bigger or smaller, the values will change. I should also note (as I do in every recipe) that the program that does these calculations can be wildly inaccurate at times, so the nutrition values are an estimate only.
Leanne says
I hate to admit but ... I'm sort of afraid of dates. I don't know why! I can't think if I've even had one before. Chocolate date truffles seems like the perfect way to break that old habit : )
themuffinmyth says
Leanne! Get on the date train! They're amazing, with a sort of caramel taste. For these truffes you want really soft dates, like fresh Medjool dates with the pits still in the middle. For my date-sweetened muffins I use dried dates. Definitely try these truffles, I think you'll like them!
catriona sutherland says
These look amazing - and doesn't sound like they're too sweet either! I'm definitely going to have a go of making them sometime.
themuffinmyth says
They are actually pretty sweet, but not too sweet.
Anne titcomb says
I am having a dinner party and one of the guests is gluten free and all love chocolate - what could be better than this - thanks Katie????