Chocolate Date Balls (only 5 ingredients!)- Choosing Chia

Name: Chocolate Date Balls
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups pitted medjool dates; 1 cup walnuts (plus optionally an extra 1/2 cup crushed walnuts for rolling); 1/4 cup cocoa powder; 1 tbsp chia seeds; pinch of salt

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These Chocolate Date Balls are rich, fudgy, and made with just 5 ingredients. They come together in 15 minutes, taste like brownie bites, and make the perfect healthy snack to keep in the fridge or freezer for quick grab and go energy.

A chocolate date ball with a bite taken out of it

When To Make This
Key Ingredients
How To Make Chocolate Date Balls
Recipe Variations:
How To Store
Jess’s Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Try These Energy Ball Recipes Next!
Chocolate Date Balls Recipe

If you love easy snacks made with wholesome ingredients, these Chocolate Date Balls are going to be a staple in your kitchen! I’ve tested countless energy ball recipes for the blog, like Matcha Energy Balls, Lemon Bliss Balls or Carrot Cake Energy Balls and they’re always a go-to. My energy ball recipes also consistently go viral on the Choosing Chia Instagram, so at this point Ive nailed down how to make perfect energy balls.

The combination of Medjool dates, walnuts, cocoa, and chia seeds in these Chocolate Date Balls creates a soft, brownie-like texture that feels like a treat, yet is nourishing enough to enjoy any time of day. You only need a food processor and a few pantry staples to make them, and they store incredibly well in both the fridge and freezer.

When To Make This

Afternoon pick me up: A satisfying snack that keeps you energized without a sugar crash.
Meal prep: Make a batch on Sunday and enjoy all week long!
Healthy dessert: A naturally sweet option when you are craving something chocolatey but still nourishing. For another healthier dessert also try these Date Caramels!
Lunch box snack: Easy to pack for both adults and kids. My Banana Protein Balls also make a great snack kids (and adults) love!

Key Ingredients

ingredients to make chocolate date balls

Medjool dates: Medjool dates are sticky and act as a binder in this recipe, while adding natural sweetness to the date balls. They’re also delicious to add to smoothies like this Date and Banana Smoothie or to make Snickers Stuffed Dates.
Walnuts: These are filled with healthy fats and protein so they will keep you feeling full and energized. If you don’t want to use walnuts you can use any other type of nuts like almonds, cashews or pecans.

*This is a recipe overview. The full recipe with measurements is below in the recipe card.

How To Make Chocolate Date Balls

dates, walnuts, cocoa powder and chia seeds in a food processor

Step 1: Add the pitted Medjool dates, walnuts, cocoa powder, chia seeds and salt t a food processor.

Step 2: Blend the ingredients until they form a sticky dough. You should be able to press the dough between your fingers and it should stick together.

Step 3: Roll into 12-15 small balls. You can also optionally roll the balls into some crushed walnuts if you like. Store in the fridge in an air-tight container.

Recipe Variations:

Nut free: Swap the walnuts for shredded coconut, sunflower seeds, or oat flour for a nut free version.
Protein date balls: Add a scoop of your favourite protein powder like I add to these Birthday Cake Protein Balls. If doing this, you may need 1 to 2 more dates to help the dough stick
Coated version: Roll in crushed walnuts, coconut flakes, or cocoa powder for an extra finish.

How To Store

Store these Chocolate Date Balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. To freeze, place them in a freezer safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. Let thaw for 5 minutes before eating.

Jess’s Tips

Use fresh Medjool dates: Dates dry out after opening, so a fresh package blends much better into a sticky dough. Use any leftover dates to make a bath of Snickers Stuffed Dates.
Rehydrate dry dates: If your dates feel firm, soak them in warm water for 5 minutes and drain well.
Check the dough texture: If your mixture feels crumbly or will not roll, add 2 to 3 more dates and blend again.
Scrape the food processor bowl: This helps the dough combine evenly for a smoother texture.
Use a cookie scoop: This keeps all the date balls the same size for even rolling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my date balls not sticking together?

This usually means your dates were too dry. Try soaking them briefly in warm water, or add 1 or 2 extra dates and blend again until the dough becomes sticky enough to roll.

Can I make these date balls nut-free?

If you want to make these date balls nut free, you can replace the walnuts in the recipe with unsweetened shredded coconut or oats.

Can I make these date balls without a food processor?

This recipe requires a food processor or a high-powered blender in order to properly blend the dates with the other ingredients to form a sticky dough.

chocolate date balls in mini muffin liners

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