These gluten-free chocolate date balls contain wholesome ingredients and no refined sugar. Satisfy your sugar craving the healthier way with these raw energy balls.
Don't miss my Bakewell-tart-inspired cherry and almond date balls too.
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These chocolate date balls have been my best friend for years when it comes to giving my kids a treat without actually giving them a treat. Let me explain. These raw energy balls contain only healthy ingredients. But yet they taste fantastic.
Confession: I used to read about the virtues of energy balls and couldn't help but question if all these healthy ingredients really could combine to create something that would satisfy my sweet tooth. I half expected them to be okay but not sweet enough. But it's true, these ingredients do create a treat that is brimming with goodness whilst also being deliciously sweet tasting.
Trust me, these chocolate date and coconut balls are the answer to all your healthy snacking desires. They go well with drinks such as the date shake or my cinnamon hot chocolate which is sweetened with dates.
I have plenty of easy and tasty snack recipes to grab your attention, though not all of them are healthy.
What are date balls?
Date balls can also go by the name energy balls and bliss balls. Essentially, they are a healthy snack made from raw wholesome ingredients including dates and nuts. These ingredients are whizzed up in a food processor, along with any other optional ingredients and flavourings to create a sticky mixture that can be shaped into balls.
The healthiest energy balls, such as these chocolate date balls, contain no refined sugar but plenty of protein from the nuts.
Date and nut energy balls can also include additional nutrition-laden ingredients such as nut butter and protein powders, but these are not mandatory.
These chocolate date and coconut balls are a blend of dates, nuts, coconut, chia seeds and cocoa powder. They are naturally low in cholesterol as well as being vegan and gluten-free.
Why these chocolate, date and coconut balls are worth making
These chocolate, date and coconut balls are rather special:
- They taste fantastic.
- The dates provide plenty of sweetness, making additions such as sugar or honey totally unnecessary
- These date balls are also a fabulous way to sneak a few nuts into children's diets without them complaining.
- And they have a lot to offer nutritionally - making them a far more wholesome choice of snack than cake or biscuits.
- The recipe is also no-bake.
- And they are very quick & easy to make.
In summary, these balls really are a fabulous healthier way to beat a sugar craving.
Ingredients and equipment notes
I decided to include 3 different types of nuts in these energy balls as I think that the different colours and textures of the nuts adds a little extra interest visually. I've included cashews, hazelnuts and pistachios. It's fine to use just cashews or a blend of cashews with just one of the other nuts. Do ensure the weight of the total nuts specified in the recipe (100g) is used.
As for the dates, you'll need soft pitted dates, such as Medjools. These are easy to blend and break down to create a lovely texture just sticky enough to roll into balls.
Cocoa powder provides a robust yet healthy chocolate flavour and desiccated coconut boosts both flavour and texture, adding a lovely chewiness to these cocoa date balls.
I've flavoured these chocolate date balls with a little peppermint extract because I'm a die-hard fan of anything minty & chocolatey. These balls are sweet and tenderly soft with a subtle burst of cool mint & chocolate flavour about them. Bliss.
You can skip the peppermint extract entirely or swap it for an alternative, such as orange extract or vanilla extract if desired.
I first attempted to make these chocolate, date and coconut balls using a stick blender (in the days before I owned a food processor). If you've ever attempted to make energy balls without a food processor, you'll appreciate the struggle my stick blender was facing as I tried desperately to blitz the sticky ingredients without blowing the motor. Don't go there - a proper food processor is a must for this recipe.
Step-by-step instructions
- Put the nuts into a food processor and process until chopped to medium coarseness.
- Add the remaining ingredients and continue to process until a sticky dough is formed - you may need to scrape down the sides of the food processor a couple of times.
- Divide the mixture into 12 equal portions - approximately 30g in weight each. Using your hands, roll the dough into smooth balls.
- If desired, cover the balls by rolling in cocoa powder or coconut.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Expert tips
The recipe for these chocolate date balls is easy to follow, but here are a few pointers to ensure success:
- If your dates don't feel very soft pour some hot water over them and leave them to stand for 15-20 minutes, then drain, blot dry and proceed with the recipe.
- Tap water can be used in place of the coconut milk if necessary.
- If the mixture is too crumbly to roll add a little extra coconut milk and process briefly then reshape into balls.
- But if the mixture becomes too wet to roll then add in some rolled oats to help absorb the excess liquid.
- Add flavour extracts in cautiously and take a taste between each addition. The ingredients are relatively expensive and it would be a shame to overpower the other flavours by being too liberal with the extract.
Frequently asked questions
They will store well in the fridge for up to 2 weeks but they can also be frozen. Just ensure they are thoroughly defrosted before biting into them.
Yes, it is. If blitzed for too long then the nuts will release too much oil and the mixture will become greasy.
Blend until things look finely broken down but there's still a little texture to the mixture. If unsure whether to keep on processing, scoop a little out and see how well it holds together when pressed together and rolled into a ball.
Dates are extremely beneficial to the human body. They contain soluble fibre that aids the reduction of high cholesterol and the fibre present in dates also makes them effective as a natural laxative. They are also loaded with minerals - selenium, manganese, copper, and magnesium - that help to keep bones strong and healthy.
More recipes made with dates
Have you made this recipe for chocolate date balls with coconut? If you have, please give it a rating or leave a comment - I love to hear how you get along with my creations.
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Chocolate Date Balls
Ingredients
- 25 g/ 1 oz Cashew nuts
- 25 g/ 1 oz Hazelnuts nuts
- 50 g/ 2 oz Pistachio nuts
- 200 g/ 7 oz Soft pitted dates
- 2 tablespoon Cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoon Dessicated coconut
- 1 tablespoon Chia seeds (optional)
- ¾ teaspoon Mint extract (optional)
- 2 tablespoon Coconut milk
Garnish - optional
- Cocoa powder
- Toasted/ un-toasted dessicated coconut
Instructions
- Put the nuts into a food processor and process until chopped medium - not too finely though
- Add the remaining ingredients and continue to process until a sticky dough is formed - you may need to scrape down the sides of the food processor a couple of times
- Divide the mixture into 12 equal portions - approximately 30g in weight each. Using your hands roll the dough into smooth balls
- If desired, cover the balls by rolling in cocoa powder or coconut
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks
Notes
- If your dates don't feel very soft pour some hot water over them and leave them to stand for 15-20 minutes, then drain, blot dry and proceed with the recipe.
- Tap water can be used in place of the coconut milk if necessary.
- If the mixture is too crumbly to roll add a little extra coconut milk and process briefly then reshape into balls.
- But if the mixture becomes too wet to roll then add in some rolled oats to help absorb the excess liquid.
- Add flavour extracts in cautiously and take a taste between each addition. The ingredients are relatively expensive and it would be a shame to overpower the other flavours by being too liberal with the extract.
- They will store well in the fridge for up to 2 weeks but they can also be frozen. Just ensure they are thoroughly defrosted before biting into them.
AliceK says
Is the coconut milk the kind sold in cans for making curry, or the kind sold in refrigerated cartons for pouring into coffee and on cold cereal?
Jane Coupland says
Hi Alice, either will work.
Nicole Fraser says
You know what, I've made so many different energy balls over the years, but for some crazy reason, I have never made chocolate mint, which is one of my favorite dessert combinations. Yeesh, what is wrong with me? These look pretty spectacular! I will have to try them out!
Jane Saunders says
Thanks Nicole. Sometimes it's easy to overlook the obvious but i hope you enjoy them now you've found them.
Christine | Mid-Life Croissant says
I've never made any of these balls. They're very popular so I must be missing out! As soon as I get some mint extract I'll be whipping up a batch. Congrats on the food processor. I love mine. Thanks for bringing these to #SaucySaturdays.
Jane Saunders says
Enjoy them Christine.
Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says
Love homemade energy balls. Mint and chocolate goes so well together. Yum!
Jane Saunders says
Thanks for stopping by Kiran. I agree, they are a great combo.