These quick and easy chocolate date balls are no bake raw energy balls. They are rich and fudgy and also vegan and gluten free. They make a delicious dessert or snack on the go.
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from CakeWhiz
These are my newest obsession and I think I like them even more than my No Bake Energy Balls (Chocolate Peanut Butter). They taste like a fudgy brownie and are so ooey gooey. They come together super quickly and can be coated in so many interesting toppings. May favorite is shredded coconut but kiddo loves the sprinkles of course. My mom would always add a couple of these in my lunch box when I was little.
Jump to:
Key ingredients for raw energy balls recipe
- Nuts- I used pecans and almonds for this recipe.
- Dates- Adds protein and vitamins with a great taste.
- Coconut- Be sure it is shredded.
- Vanilla extract- Brings in a lovely, warm flavor.
- Cocoa powder- The higher the quality the better.
- Milk- I like to use soy milk.
Variations
- Dip them in melted chocolate for added decadence- Try milk, white, dark or semisweet for chocolate covered treats.
- Topping options- Try sesame seeds, sprinkles, shredded or desiccated coconut, chocolate shavings, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, finely chopped nuts, crushed Oreos, or other cookies of your liking.
- Use other add-ins- Such as protein powder, ground flax seeds, sunflower seeds, popped quinoa, granola, oats, and even some almond butter or coconut oil.
- Try other extracts- Such as almond, mint, or lemon extract.
- Stuff them- Make a flattened circle and place mini candies nuts, mini chocolate chips, shredded coconut, sprinkles, or nut butter in the center. Close and seal the ball for a tasty surprise.
- Try other nuts- Instead of pecans and almonds, try peanuts, walnuts, pistachios, or cashews.
- Replace dates- With other dried fruits like prunes or apricots. The flavor will obviously be different.
- Omit cocoa powder- This will yield a more nutty flavor.
How to make easy no bake energy bites recipe from scratch?
- Add all the ingredients in a food processor- This includes pecans, almonds, dates, coconut, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, milk or water.
- Pulse ingredients- Until you have a smooth mixture.
- Scoop out small portions with a spoon- And roll into ball shapes.
- Roll in toppings if you like- Such as sprinkles, shredded coconut, powdered sugar e.t.c
Tips and techniques
- Adjust cocoa powder according to personal preference- Start with 1 tablespoon then add another if desired.
- Use plastic gloves- Or dampen your hands to for an easier rolling process.
- Buy pitted dates- Because this will make the process faster and easier.
- Shredded coconut can be sweetened or unsweetened- According to your personal taste.
- If you like a bit of salty sweet flavor- Then use salted nuts.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. Just make sure all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
If your dates are dry, your mixture will also end up being dry and crumbly. To fix that, you will need to add some water or milk and this will make the mixture easier to handle and make into ball shapes.
Unsweetened cocoa powder is not the same as hot cocoa powder. They will both yield different results.
Storage
- Refrigerate- In sealed container for up to 5 days.
- Freeze- In a sealed container for up to 1 month. When you are ready to enjoy them, thaw in fridge overnight.
- Room temperature- These can stay out in a covered container for up to 5 hours.
- Make ahead- These can easily be made 1-2 days in advance.
More no bake desserts
- No Bake Chocolate Tart (Tartlet)
- Chocolate Crunch Bars (Peanut Butter)
- Refrigerator Cake (Chocolate Oreo Icebox Cake)
- Chocolate Covered Potato Chips
- Chocolate Chia See Pudding
Recipe
Chocolate Date Balls (No Bake)
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email & I'll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from CakeWhiz
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup Pecans Unsalted
- ⅓ cup Almonds Unsalted
- 1⅓ cups Dates I buy the pitted Medjool ones
- 3 tablespoon Coconut Shredded
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoon Unsweetened cocoa powder Adjust according to your preference
- 1-2 tablespoon Soy milk Or water
Toppings
- ½ cup Sprinkles
- ½ cup Toasted sesame seeds
- ½ cup Shredded
Instructions
- Add all ingredients in a food processor and mix until everything is thoroughly crushed and combined.
- Make small balls out of the mixture.
- Then, roll them around in whatever toppings you like (sprinkles, toasted sesame seeds or shredded coconut).
- Eat as many as you like and store leftovers in airtight container in the fridge.
Notes
- I keep playing around with the amount of cocoa powder. Sometimes, I add 1 tablespoon and sometimes I add 2 tbsp. I suggest adding 1 tablespoon first and then tasting the batter. If you feel like you want it to be more choco-licious, add more cocoa powder.
- You can also omit cocoa powder completely if you prefer a more "nutty/datey" flavor.
- Depending on the quality of your dates, you might end up with a dry mixture. To fix that, you will need to add some milk or water (whichever you prefer). That will make the mixture softer and easy for you to make ball shapes.
- It's easier to make balls if you wear disposable plastic gloves or if you dampen your hands slightly.
Nutrition
An automated tool is used to calculate the nutritional information. As such, I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information provided for any recipe on this site.
Denise Browning
Healthy, fun, and super delicious -- what a combination! You should have named these chocolate balls, THE ULTIMATE TREAT! Love them!
ela
I can see myself just eating these beautiful balls one after another. I feel more energetic already!
Brooks
Abeer, these bite-sized morsels look sensational! The ones with toasted sesame seed especially intrigue.
The Squishy Monster
Chocolate and dates, two of my favorite ingredients...these look great!
Leelabean
Mmm, i want these now! I am definitely gonna make these tonight!! Thanks for this recipe!
Heidy L. McCallum
Looks awesome
Nazneen
These are delicious! A friend made me something similar last Ramadan and I gobbled them all up! I love your sprinkle and sesame seed ones. They're so pretty!
Uru
Delicious looking date balls
Mary Frances
Oh my goodness! This reminds me of some vegan truffles I had years ago. They were so good, and I was so sad when I couldn't find a recipe. Yours look amazing!
I Wilkerson
These are great pictures! They look very light and tasty.
Daniela
They do not only look great but the sound great too.
Chocolate and dates is always a wonderful combination and provides so much energy.
Ella
I love these kind of healthy treats, quick and delicious. Yours are looking totally amazing.
Sandy
You can give them to kids from age 3 as well replacing chocolates and they will never know the difference- just increase the cocoa and roll them in coconut. I color the coconut with good coloring and make different
Abeer Rizvi
That's a great idea Sandy! My 2 year old likes munching on these too. He likes them dipped in melted chocolate though...lol
lucyann
i had some dates in my fridge that were rather dried out; i had to cook them to get the pits out and then i ended up with soggy dates. Saw this recipe and decided to made these with only the mushy Dates, rolled oats, and chia seeds. I I only put the dates in the food processer; I left the oats whole and added the chia seeds and put the mixture in the fridge overnight.
PERFECT texture ... tasted yummy even without the cocoa!
Abeer Rizvi
Mmmmmmmm.... That sounds delicious! Such a great way to use up dried up dates. I want a few to munch on now...heheh
Janet
Can I leave out the coconut nod replace with something else?
Abeer Rizvi
Hi Janet, you can probably replace with finely ground oats but I am positive it's going to change the flavor and texture :S If you try this replacement or something else, do let me know how it turns out
Holly Sparkman
This was the first time I attempted making a treat like this and I will definitely use this recipe again. Delicious and so easy!
Abeer Rizvi
I am very happy to hear that. Aren't they so delicious? Yum!