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Home » Chocolate

Chocolate Date Balls

February 18, 2022 by Jane Saunders 6 Comments

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Chocolate Coconut Date Balls (Energy Balls) with text overlay.
Chocolate Date Balls dusted in cocoa powder with text overlay.
Chocolate Coconut Date Balls (Energy Balls) closeup with text overlay.
Chocolate Coconut Date Balls (Energy Balls) with text overlay.

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.

First published in June 2016 and updated in February 2022 with new images, step-by-step instructions, tips and the answers to frequently asked questions.

A mixture of chocolate coconut date balls in a baking tin.
Contents hide
1 What are date balls?
2 Why these chocolate, date and coconut balls are worth making
3 Ingredients and equipment notes
4 Step-by-step instructions
5 Expert tips
6 Frequently asked questions
7 More healthy date recipes to enjoy
8 Chocolate Date Balls

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. If you like the look of them then don’t miss out on my cherry bakewell energy balls – they’re equally scummy.

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.

Cocoa dusted chocolate date balls.

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

Ingredients for raw energy bites with text overlay.

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

  1. Put the nuts into a food processor and process until chopped to medium coarseness.
  2. 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.
  3. Divide the mixture into 12 equal portions – approximately 30g in weight each. Using your hands, roll the dough into smooth balls.
  4. If desired, cover the balls by rolling in cocoa powder or coconut.
  5. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Collage of images showing raw energy bites being made.

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

How long do these raw date balls last?

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.

Is it possible to over-process the mixture?

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.

Are dates good for me?

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.

Chocolate date balls covered in cocoa powder and coconut.

More healthy date recipes to enjoy

Cherry Bakewell Almond Energy Balls
Check out this recipe
Cherry Bakewell Almond Energy Balls
Coffee Date Shake with Cardamom & Vanilla (Video)
Check out this recipe
Coffee Milkshake with Dates, Cardamom & Vanilla
Healthy Cinnamon Hot Chocolate
Check out this recipe
Healthy Cinnamon Hot Chocolate
Spiced & Malted Date MIlkshake
Check out this recipe
Two healthy date shake milkshakes. One is flavoured with spices and the other with chocolate

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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Close up of chocolate date and coconut balls.

Chocolate Date Balls

Jane Saunders
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.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Snack
Cuisine: Worldwide
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 12 Balls
Calories: 108kcal
Prevent your screen from going dark

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
US Customary – Metric

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.

Nutrition Per Serving (Approximate)

Calories:108kcal | Carbohydrates:16g | Protein:2g | Fat:5g | Saturated Fat:1g | Polyunsaturated Fat:1g | Monounsaturated Fat:3g | Trans Fat:1g | Sodium:1mg | Potassium:208mg | Fiber:3g | Sugar:12g | Vitamin A:43IU | Vitamin C:1mg | Calcium:27mg | Iron:1mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nicole Fraser

    August 20, 2016 at 10:21 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Jane Saunders

      August 21, 2016 at 2:24 pm

      Thanks Nicole. Sometimes it’s easy to overlook the obvious but i hope you enjoy them now you’ve found them.

      Reply
  2. Christine | Mid-Life Croissant

    June 10, 2016 at 11:21 pm

    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.

    Reply
    • Jane Saunders

      June 13, 2016 at 10:50 am

      Enjoy them Christine.

      Reply
  3. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com

    June 07, 2016 at 6:18 am

    Love homemade energy balls. Mint and chocolate goes so well together. Yum!

    Reply
    • Jane Saunders

      June 08, 2016 at 6:50 pm

      Thanks for stopping by Kiran. I agree, they are a great combo.

      Reply

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