Chocolate Date Balls

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 (optional); pinch of salt

Jump To Recipe 2 reviews posted Sep 15, 2022 by Jessica Hoffman

These 5-ingredient chocolate date balls make the perfect healthy snack that tastes like a chocolate brownie! All you need is a food processor and 15 minutes to make this tasty recipe!

A chocolate date ball with a bite taken out of it

Energy balls with dates

If you’re a snack lover then you’re gonna love these chocolate energy balls with dates! They seriously make the perfect snack when you want something quick and easy to grab and eat that will give you long-lasting energy.

This recipe has been my go-to lately when I want a little snack at 3 pm or need a quick bite of something when I’m running out the door. The combination of dates, walnuts and chocolate makes these date balls taste like a delicious brownie! I love all types of energy balls and do switch it up sometimes with snacks like Matcha Energy Balls, but these chocolate energy balls are a staple in my kitchen.

Enjoy the recipe as it is or feel free to customize it however you like with any additional mix-ins.

Why you’ll love Chocolate Date Balls

5 ingredient recipe. You only need 5 simple ingredients that are all healthy to make these energy balls
Great for most diet types. These energy balls are naturally vegan, gluten-free, refined-sugar free and suitable for most diets.
Easy to customize. Swap out the walnuts for any other nuts, add in some coconut, chocolate chips, cinnamon or whatever you like to this recipe!
Freezer-friendly. These date balls will last for up to 3 months in the freezer so you can have them on hand to enjoy whenever you like!

Ingredients you’ll need

ingredients to make chocolate date balls

Medjool dates: they are sticky and act as a binder in this recipe, act as a natural sweeter, and are filled with fibre!
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. You can also replace walnuts with shredded coconut for a nut-free version.
Cocoa powder: besides adding the chocolate flavour, cocoa is a great source of antioxidants.
Chia seeds: for some more fibre, omega-3 fatty acids, and a healthy superfood boost!
Salt: Just a pinch to balance the flavours.

What dates are best for energy balls?

The best type of dates to use for any type of energy balls are Medjool dates. This is a variety of date that is larger, softer and has an almost caramel-like texture compared to other types of dates. You can find this type of date at most grocery stores or health food stores.

Medjool dates are best to use in energy balls because they easily create a sticky “glue” when blended that holds the balls together. Medjool dates also have an incredible flavour that is a little more unique than most other dates.

Many people think dates are dried, but dates are actually fresh fruit. Once a package of dates is opened the fruit will begin to dry out and become harder.

For the best results when making date balls, use a fresh pack of Medjool dates.

How to make Chocolate Date Balls

Step 1

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

dates, walnuts, cocoa powder and chia seeds in 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.

Tip: use a cookie scoop or a tablespoon to measure out even amounts of dough.

Recipe variations:

Nut-free date balls: make these date balls nut-free by swapping out the nuts in the recipe for shredded coconut, sunflower seeds or oats. You can also use a mixture of shredded coconut and oats.

Protein date balls: try adding a scoop of your favourite protein powder to the recipe for a high-protein energy ball.

Extra chocolatey date balls: add in some cacao nibs and mini chocolate chips to this recipe for a triple chocolate version!

How to store and freeze

These date balls must be stored in the fridge or the freezer and cannot be left out on the counter. While the ingredients in the date balls don’t need to be refrigerated, the date balls will soften and fall apart if they are not refrigerated.

Fridge: store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Freezer: store in an airtight container or a freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you want to eat one, remove it from the freezer and let it thaw for 5 minutes before eating.

Tips for making perfect energy date balls

The fresher your Medjool dates, the better. After you open a pack of dates, they will begin to dry out. If you have an old pack of dates sitting in your pantry that feels very dry they won’t work as well as a fresh pack would for date balls.
If your dates feel dry, soak them in warm water for 5 minutes then drain and proceed with the recipe. This will rehydrate help to rehydrate them and make them stickier.
If your dough doesn’t stick together, try adding a few more dates and blending the mixture together again.

Frequently asked questions

Are date balls healthy?

Date ball are great for you! They do just as their name suggests, they give you energy! Because they are usually filled with a balance of carbs, fats and protein, they offer great long-lasting stable energy that won’t spike your blood sugars.

How many calories are in a date ball?

Each date balls has 110 calories, 3 grams of fiber and 3.5 grams of protein.

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

More energy ball recipes to try

If you tried these Chocolate Date Balls or any other recipe on the blog let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment/rating below! Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for even more deliciousness!