These Healthy Chocolate Energy Date Balls are made with Medjool dates, unsweetened cocoa powder, and almonds. A gluten-free, vegan, and Whole30 healthy snack fit for sweet cravings!
Healthy snacks are always welcome here.
A healthy treat with only a handful of ingredients like these vegan protein balls, no bake brownie balls, or honey almond bites is easy to make and have on the go.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Only 4 ingredients (plus a pinch of sea salt!)
- It tames a sweet tooth the healthy way
- Tastes like a brownie bite!
- Perfect snacks for meal prep
Ingredients and substitutions
Here are a few quick notes about the ingredients in this recipe. You can see a complete list of ingredients and instructions in the recipe card below.
Medjool dates - Dates are our main ingredient for the energy ball base. A natural sweetener that adds fiber and nutrients.
Any type of date will work but I find Medjool has a more soft and chewy texture over other dates. I like to freeze dates so that I always have some on hand.
If you don't use a Medjool date, you may want to soak your dates in hot water for 10 minutes to soften them up before proceeding with the recipe. Try Medjool dates in these chocolate covered dates!
Unsweetened cocoa powder - Adds that fabulous chocolate flavor. Be sure to use 100% unsweetened to remain Whole30 compliant. Substitute 100% cacao powder if desired. This will have a more robust and bitter flavor.
Almonds - Raw almonds add healthy protein and healthy fats. Substitute raw cashews in place of almonds if needed. Walnuts would be good too!
Vanilla extract - A high-quality pure vanilla extract ties everything together and gives these little bites a brownie-like flavor.
Variations
You can enjoy this healthy sweet treat in other flavor combinations! Here are a few ideas for more delicious energy bites.
Chocolate Mint - Add a ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract when adding the vanilla extract.
Chocolate Cherry - Use 1 cup of dates and ½ cup of dried cherries.
Chocolate Cranberry - Utilize 1 cup of dates and a ½ cup of dried cranberries.
Step-by-step instructions
Before you start: Pit your dates if they are not already pitted. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 1: Place dates and almonds in the bowl of a food processor. Process until almonds are broken down into medium chunks.
Step 2: Add cocoa powder, vanilla, and sea salt and process until almonds are in very small pieces and the mixture has become thick.
Step 3: Add one teaspoon of water to the mixture and process again. If the mixture is dry, add one or two more teaspoons of water until you can squeeze the mixture together with your hand.
Step 4: Scoop date energy ball dough with a tablespoon and roll it into a ball with your hands. Place date balls onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet or cookie sheet. Place in the fridge for 20 minutes to set.
Storage
Store your healthy energy balls in an airtight container or ziplock bag. Keep in the fridge for 1-2 weeks or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Equipment
Food processor - This tool does the major lifting in this recipe. A blender is not recommended.
Airtight container - A storage container helps keep these snacks fresh.
Recipe tips
- You can buy dates pitted or unpitted. If you purchase unpitted dates, be sure to remove the pits before making the date energy balls.
- If you don't use a Medjool date, you may want to soak your dates in hot water for 10 minutes to soften them up before proceeding with the recipe.
- Freeze dates in the freezer and always have them on hand to make snacks!
FAQ
You can buy Medjool dates and other varieties of dates at your local grocery store. They are often found in the produce section.
Your dates may have been on the drier side, so add one teaspoon of water at a time until the mixture starts to stick together.
While it can be done, using a blender over a food processor would be a messy ordeal. It would require stopping the blender several times to scrape down the sides.
For those with nut allergies, you can make these date balls nut-free by substituting sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or even hemp seeds.
More gluten-free snack recipes
Love this recipe? Please consider leaving a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating on the recipe card below and let me know what you think in the comments!
📖 Recipe
Healthy Chocolate Energy Date Balls
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups Medjool dates pitted
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder or cacao powder
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2-3 pinches sea salt
- 2-3 teaspoons water
Instructions
- Place dates and almonds in the bowl of a food processor. Process until almonds are broken down into medium chunks.
- Add cocoa powder, vanilla, and sea salt and process until almonds are in very small pieces and the mixture has become thick.
- Add one teaspoon of water to the mixture and process again. If the mixture is stilll dry, add one or two more teaspoons of water until you can squeeze the mixture together with your hand and it holds together.
- Scoop date energy ball dough with a tablespoon and roll it into a ball with your hands. Place date balls onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet or cookie sheet. Place in the fridge for 20 minutes to set before transferring balls to an airtight container.
- Store the airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 weeks.
Notes
- You can buy dates pitted or unpitted. If you purchase unpitted dates, be sure to remove the pits before making the date energy balls.
- If you don't use a Medjool date, you may want to soak your dates in hot water for 10 minutes to soften them up before proceeding with the recipe.
Nutrition
Leslie
Great sugar free treat! Delicious.
Tessa
Thanks so much!
Luiza
Do these need to be baked?
Tessa
Hi Luiza - no, these are totally no-bake! :)
Kat
These are so easy and so delicious! I used almond flour because that is all I had and they still turned out great!!
Thanks
Tessa
That's great! Thank you, Kat!
Samantha
I used pecans because my almonds ended up being stale. They're great. A much cheaper option than buying Larabars!
Tessa
That's awesome! Thank you, Samantha!
Sarah
I love keeping these on hand to have as a quick afternoon boost!
suzi
what if we added oats and rolled in dark chocolate? yes???!!
Traci | Vanilla And Bean
Yes, yaasss, yesssss to grab n' go snacks Tessa!! Hooray! Whenever we travel, a cooler always goes with us.. even on the airplane (via backpack). Depending where in the world we are, food choices can get pretty sketchy for sure. I love these little bites; packed with goodness. I also love how they roll themselves! Does it work the same for getting all the ingredients into the house from the store, then into the food processor? Love it!
Tessa
YES! We take a cooler with us too. Hahaha, I wish the ingredients got themselves from the store to home to the food processor all on their own - I'd have so much time on my hands! <3
jacquie
bites look great and I do so hear you about the problems with healthy vegetarian options while traveling. Can you share any good audiobook recommendations?
Tessa
It can be frustrating, can't it? This summer while traveling we listened to the "I Hunt Killers" trilogy by Barry Lyga, but in the past we have listened to Tana French books. Those are also suspense/mystery type books! I find that the suspenseful genre keeps my attention better in the car! ;)
Abby @ Heart of a Baker
GAH I LOVE THAT GIF! Ok going to stop yelling now, but really, so good! I also fall into the trap of 'it's vacation, so I can eat 'insert bad food here' and it's fine!' Energy balls all the way!
Tessa
Hahaha, yell all you want! ;) Thank you! It is soooo easy to fall into that trap, especially in the summer! xoxo
Colleen
Hi Tessa I don't have food processor would the bullet or high speed blender work? Please
Tessa
Hi! Yes, a high-speed blender should work, but you will probably need to stop frequently and wipe down the sides.
Ashlea
So true about the traveling! Hard to find good snacks! I was just starving half the time!
Tessa
It is so tough. Gummy worms are my weakness - so anything I can do from buying a bag is a good idea! ;) I hope you like these, it's like cherry pie meets brownie! <3