These Date Balls are made using 4 wholesome, nutritious ingredients. It is raw, sweet, chocolatey, and fudgy and is the perfect guilt-free treat when a craving strikes.
If you're searching for a delectable healthy after school snack or a guilt-free indulgence after your meal, look no further than these chocolate date balls—they'll become your new favorite no bake snack like the almond butter balls.
There are various types of dates available, including Medjool, Deglet Noor, Zahidi, and Barhi. Medjool and Noor dates are the most popular and have a rich, caramel-like flavor.
You can find dates in most grocery stores and health food stores in the produce section or in the dried fruits section. I usually buy mine at Costco and keep it in the refrigerator to extend the shelf life.
They are enjoyed on their own as a healthy snack or used as a versatile ingredient in baking, smoothies and energy bars.
If you buy whole dates, you’ll need to remove the pit yourself. As I explain in date recipes, just split the date open with a knife or your fingertips and the pit will come right out. If your fresh dates have white spots on them they’re still good! The white spots are just the sugar crystalizing on them, not mold.
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Why this recipe works?
- Make it your own! Increase or decrease any ingredient to modify the taste or texture. Too sweet? Add more walnuts or cocoa powder. Like it intensely chocolatey? Then increase cocoa powder.
- No cooking required! Just add 4 ingredients into a food processor, blitz and roll them into balls.
- Naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, raw, vegan, and loaded with fiber.
Ingredients
Scroll down to the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and amounts.
- Dates - I like to use the Medjool variety for these date balls. They have a rich, almost caramel-like taste with a soft, chewy texture. Deglet Noor variety is much smaller with firm flesh and might not grind smooth.
- Walnuts - Raw walnuts add earthiness and tons of added omega-3 fatty acids into the date balls recipe (refer more details here).
- Cocoa powder - As I mention in my oatmeal banana smoothie recipe, dutch processed cocoa powder has sweeter and is less astringent when compared to natural cocoa, and is better suited in raw preparations.
- Coconut oil - Offers binding and helps the date balls firm up when refrigerated.
Tip: When purchasing dates, look for ones that are plump, moist, and free from mold or any signs of spoilage.
Variations
- Nuts - Try using another type of nuts like toasted almonds, cashews, pecans, or shredded coconut.
- Spices - To add more flavor, you can try using ground cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves or vanilla extract.
- Seeds - Chia seeds, flax seeds or hemp seeds give an extra crunch and added nutrition.
- Chocolate Chips - Stir in mini chocolate chips before rolling.
How to make?
You can find full printable recipe below, but here is a quick overview of the procedure along with step-by-step photos.
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1 & 2. Add dates, cocoa powder, walnuts, and coconut oil to a food processor. process for 1 to 2 minutes or until finely ground.
Tip: Stop the machine, scrape the sides often, and grind as fine as possible. Do not be tempted to add any liquid such as water or milk. The mixture might look dry in the beginning, but as the machine runs, the natural oils in walnuts and coconut oil will add enough moisture, to help combine.
Pro tip: If you are using Noor dates, then soak them in some water for 30 to 60 minutes, and drain the water completely before proceeding with the recipe. This softens them and makes them easier to grind.
3 to 5. Transfer the mixture into a bowl and mix with a spoon, to combine. Make 1 tablespoon measure balls, pinch them with your fingertips to hold them together, and roll them into balls, between the palm of your hands. Store in the refrigerator.
Pro tip: The date balls might be slightly sticky, and a bit greasy when rolling. However, they will firm up upon refrigeration.
How to store?
You can store the date balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
To freeze - When stored properly in a freezer-safe container, the date balls freeze well and stay good for about 3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator before eating.
Helpful tips
- Dates should be at room temperature, otherwise, the food processor might struggle a bit. So, if you like to store them in the refrigerator then make sure to leave them out for a few hours before proceeding with the date balls recipe.
- If using a blender, first process the walnuts and cocoa powder, into a powder, then add dates and coconut oil, and pulse until it comes together.
- Be sure to remove the pits before using.
- To use Deglet Nour variety - These tend to be much harder when compared to the Medjool variety. So, I recommend soaking them in water for at least 30 minutes, draining all the water before adding them into the processor.
Recipe FAQs
Dates, being a dried fruit, naturally possess a sweet caramel flavor. Nevertheless, this date falls recipe achieves a perfect balance, ensuring it doesn't overwhelm with excessive sweetness, due to the addition of walnuts and cocoa.
Food processor works great for these date balls because it chops the dates and nuts more evenly. However, a high-powered blender, like a Vitamix can work with limits. When using a blender, first process the walnuts and cocoa powder into a powder and then add dates and coconut oil, and pulse until it comes together.
One possible explanation could be inadequate grinding of the date balls mixture. To address this, return the ingredients to your food processor and process them until they reach a smooth and pliable dough-like consistency. If you still find it difficult to shape the mixture into balls, consider incorporating an additional 1 to 2 teaspoons of melted coconut oil, as this will facilitate better cohesion.
The date balls will be just as delicious without the coconut oil. However, the balls might not hold together and the mixture might be crumbly.
More healthy snacks using dates
Date Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup Walnuts
- 6 large Medjool dates remove pits
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
Equipment used
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a food processor, process for 1 to 2 minutes or until finely ground.Tip: Stop the machine, scrape the sides often, and grind as fine as possible. Do not be tempted top add any liquid such as water or milk. The mixture might look dry in the beginning, but as the machine runs, the natural oils in walnuts and coconut oil will add enough moisture, to help in combine.
- Transfer mixture into a bowl and mix with a spoon, to bring the dough together.
- Make 1 tablespoon measure balls, pinch with fingertips to hold together and roll into balls, between the palm of your hands. Keep them stored in the refrigearotr. Pro tip: The date balls might be slightly sticky, and a bit greasy when rolling. However, they will firm up upon refrigeration.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information, based on third-party calculations, should be seen as estimates, not guarantees, as various factors like product types, brands, processing methods, and more can alter the nutritional content in recipes.
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Divya Ganapathy
Thank you
I made it yummy
Maria Doss
That’s so great to hear! So glad you love it – Maria ♡
cindy3539
Delicious. I used pecans.
Maria Doss
That’s so great to hear! So glad you love it – Maria ♡
Jasmyn
Thank you for such a detailed recipe!!! Made it today, so delicious!! Thank you!!
Maria Doss
That’s so great to hear, so glad you loved it - Maria ♡
Kim
I’ve made this numerous times now and love it. I do not add oil as I find it gets greasy enough from the walnuts once it’s mixed fine enough. I also add a few more dates and sometimes dried cherries.
Maria Doss
That’s so great to hear, so glad you loved it - Maria ♡
Martie Summerfield
Is there something I can substitute for the coco powder as I really do not like chocolate but I do like the id a bit d the balls.
Thanks.
Maria Doss
Hi Martie, You can skip the cocoa powder and try the recipe without it, but you might want to increase the walnuts a bit to balance out the sweetness, since the cocoa powder helps cut it. Hope it helps - Maria