Chocolate date balls taste like brownies but are packed with protein. This healthy no bake vegan treat is easy to make and the perfect snack to satisfy your sweet tooth any time of day.
For more nutritious chocolate recipes, try my Healthy Peanut Butter Chocolate Muffins and Healthy Protein Peanut Butter Cups next.
No bake chocolate date balls contain dates, seeds, and almond butter, dipped in melted dark chocolate. These sweet, chewy, chocolate energy balls are deliciously decadent for such a quick and easy snack.
Why This is the Best Chocolate Date Balls Recipe
- Healthy Snack: The next time you’re craving a chocolatey fix, reach for this instead of cookies or a candy bar. This is perfect for kids, those interested in weight loss, and people with diabetes.
- Perfectly Premade: Make these energy bites ahead of time to enjoy later. They freeze well for longer storage.
- Easy to Make: No oven required! Simply combine, dip in chocolate, and chill the chocolate date energy balls before serving.
Chocolate Date Balls Ingredients
- Medjool Dates: Dates are naturally sweet, with a rich caramel-like flavor and a sticky consistency that makes the balls chewy. They contain fiber which improves digestion. Pit them before combining.
- Almond Flour: This dry base makes it easier for the other ingredients to combine.
- Chia Seeds: These provide a mild, nutty flavor and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Hemp Seeds: This plant-based protein supports digestion.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Cocoa powder is rich in chocolate flavor but low in fat.
- Almond Butter: This adds protein and acts as an adhesive. Use any nut butter you’d like; peanut butter, sunflower butter, etc.
- Sea Salt: Top each ball with this for a salty finish.
- Vanilla Extract: This enhances the flavor with a warm vanilla taste that makes this taste like an actual dessert.
- Warm Water: This adds just enough moisture to the ingredients to combine them.
- Dark Chocolate Chips: They are melted down for the chocolate coating.
- Coconut Oil: This enriches the melted dark chocolate.
How to Make Chocolate Date Balls
Add all the ingredients (except chocolate chips and coconut oil) to a food processor and process until a fudgy dough is formed.
Then, using your hands, spoon, or cookie scoop, portion the dough into small balls (about 1 tbsp).
Add the chocolate chips and coconut oil to a small microwavable bowl and heat in 30 seconds intervals until the chocolate is completely melted. Make sure to stir well between each interval.
Dip each ball into the melted dark chocolate and then top with flaky salt.
Place them in the fridge/freezer to harden and finally, enjoy!
Pro Tips
- If the balls get too dry, add more almond butter or dates.
- If you purchase whole dates remove the pit by splitting it open with a knife.
- Use room temperature dates for easier blending.
Substitutions & Variations
- Nuts: Nuts add healthy fats. Use softer nuts like walnuts or pecans for a brownie texture.
- Seeds: If you have a nut allergy, try sunflower seeds, flax seeds, or shredded coconut.
- Dates: If you use Deglet Noor dates, you will need more because they are smaller. Soak them in water before using in order to soften them. They also aren’t as sweet.
- Chocolate: Use cacao powder as an alternative.
- Sweeteners: Dates are sweet but if you want a stronger sweetness, add a natural sweetener like maple syrup or agave.
- Chocolate date oat balls: Instead of almond flour, you could blend old-fashioned rolled oats until it is finely ground to flour. Quick or instant oats will work too.
Storing Leftovers
Store chocolate date balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. They will last even longer in the freezer. When frozen, chocolate brownie date balls last up to 3 months.
Common Questions
Are date balls healthy?
Yes. They are packed with nutrients and are vegan.
How long does it take for the date balls to chill?
Allow them to chill for at least 10 minutes so they can solidify. To speed up the process you can place them in the freezer.
Can chocolate dates be made ahead?
Yes. They last up to 2 weeks when stored in the fridge in an airtight container or freezer for up to 3 months.
More Healthy Snacks:
Healthy Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins
Almond Butter Berry Yogurt Bark
Healthier Homemade Hot Chocolate for Kids
DID YOU MAKE THIS CHOCOLATE DATE PROTEIN BALLS RECIPE?
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Chocolate Date Balls
Ingredients
- 1 cup Medjool Dates pitted
- ½ cup Almond Flour
- 2 tbsp Chia Seeds
- 2 tbsp Hemp Seeds
- ¼ cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- ¼ cup Almond Butter
- ¼ tsp Sea Salt
- ½ tsp Vanilla Extract
- 2-3 tbsp Warm Water
- ¾ cup Dark Chocolate Chips
- 1 tbsp Coconut Oil
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients (except chocolate chips and coconut oil) to a food processor and process until a fudgy dough is formed.
- Using your hands, spoon, or cookie scoop, portion the dough into small balls (about 1 tbsp).
- Add the chocolate chips and coconut oil to a small microwavable bowl and heat in 30 seconds intervals until the chocolate is completely melted. Make sure to stir well between each interval.
- Dip each ball into the melted dark chocolate and then top with flaky salt.
- Place them in the fridge/freezer to harden then enjoy!
5 comments
[…] more healthy snack recipes, try these Chocolate Date Balls and Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins […]
These balls are e.x.t.r.a. special! We love them! 🙂
Hello Donna, I am so happy to hear that you love them. These are one of my favorite homemade snacks.
Super delicious!! They are perfect chocolate date balls, couldn’t be better! Thank you so much for this recipe!!
You’re welcome! I am glad you enjoyed them.