Date Balls with coconut and cocoa powder are sweet, crunchy, and chocolaty.
When you want something sweet and quick and you don’t want to heat up the house – go for this date ball recipe for complete satisfaction.
Chocolaty goodness that will satisfy all of your cravings and last but not least, there is no baking.
I have fallen in love with no-bake snacks that take advantage of the healthier side of sweets. They are simple and the creativity seems boundless.
It is so fun to mix and match ingredients where the outcome is unique and just darn good!
Introduce Date Balls to the children in your family and they will be on their way to wanting a healthier snack instead of candies loaded with additives and sugars.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- Sunflower Seeds - are ground fine and adds lots of nice nutrients to the balls besides taste.
- Dates - are a major sweetener and they also add bulk and antioxidants.
- Walnuts - have a little bit of crunch and earthy flavor.
- Cocao powder - unsweetened - makes everything chocolaty.
- Maple syrup - is the healthier way to sweeten up the unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Almond Butter - creamy - has the best taste!
- Rolled oats - add bulk and nutrients.
- Coconut - is the pretty white coating on the outside.
You can also introduce these goodies to yourself for an energy snack. They are loaded with ingredients that shine in the protein department and that will keep you going longer.
Seeds, nuts, almond butter and rolled oats all make for great coconut date balls that will help you feel full.
I've been making these balls for years and if you scroll way down to the very bottom you can see the original photos that have graced this recipe.
Instructions
- Grind the sunflower seeds in your Food Processor. This is a mini food processor for small jobs.
- Chop up the dates and walnuts. I use a large chef's knife and just rock back and forth.
- Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
- My method of preparation is that I divide the mixture in half.
- Use your hands. It makes everything so easy.
- Divide the mixture in half and then half again ... and so on and so on until you get 48 sections.
- Roll into balls with the palm of your hands.
- You can always pinch out a little from the balls that are a little bit larger if you would like to make more.
- Roll each ball in the shredded coconut. Pat them again in a ball shape if you'd like the coconut to cling more to the ball.
- Put on a cookie sheet and let freeze for about to hours.
- Remove and serve.
- They will also freeze for up to 2 months.
- You can also eat these out of the freezer. They won't be too hard at all.
📋 Recipe
Vegan Date Balls Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cup Sunflower Seeds - ground
- ½ cup Dates - pitted, chopped
- ½ cup walnuts - chopped
- ½ cup cacao powder - unsweetened
- ½ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup Almond Butter - creamy
- ½ cup rolled oats - old fashioned, there are also gluten free oats
- 6 ounces coconut for coating - unsweetened
Instructions
- So simple and delicious.
- Grind the sunflower seeds in your Food Processor
- Chop up the dates and walnuts.
- Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
- My method of preparation is that I divide the mixture in half.
- Use your hands. It makes everything so easy.
- Divide the mixture in half and then half again ... and so on and so on until you get 48 sections.
- Roll into balls with the palm of your hands.
- You can always pinch out a little from the balls that are a little bit larger if you would like to make more.
- Roll each ball in the shredded coconut.
- Put on a cookie sheet and let freeze for about to hours.
- Remove and serve.
- They will also freeze for up to 2 months.
Notes
Nutrition
Martha @ A Family Feast
One of my friends makes a similar recipe but without the coconut...So good! Can't wait to try your version!
The Food Hunter
I could easily fall in love with these! no bake, healthy and delicious
foodwanderings
Oooh we love both chocolate and dates. The combination of the two is sheer brilliance!
Isabelle @ Crumb
These look amazing! I've made date balls before for quick snacks, but I've never thought to add cocoa to the mix. Sounds like the perfect way to get my chocolate fix without the added guilt. 🙂
Ginny McMeans
Fantastic Martha! I think you will love these too. 🙂
Ginny McMeans
You have got to try them The Food Hunter!
Ginny McMeans
Thanks so much! I love the combo too 🙂
Susan
I seriously need to jump on the no-bake bandwagon. I make ice cream but it doesn't really count, there's too much work involved. Dates and chocolate sound like a great combination but I have a feeling these would be dangerous to have a around.
Jenn
I would love to say I would share these with the kids, but I think I might just eat the whole batch myself!! Perfection!
Sus // roughmeasures.com
Ginny these sound delightful. These would help keep my desk hunger pangs at bay during the day!
Lucy
Ginny, these look amazing. I love anything with maple and coconut. I think they would be the perfect snack for after a run. Pinning!
Jagruti
Yum! I could do with a few of these right now!
Rebecca | Let's Eat Cake
I love no-bake snacks, and these chocolate energy balls sound delicious!
Ginny McMeans
Hahaha Jenn. You're the Best!
Ginny McMeans
Thank you so much Sus! The ingredients wouldn't make you feel guilty either!
Ginny McMeans
Perfect for and after run or workout snack. Thanks for your kind words too 🙂
Ginny McMeans
Thanks Rebecca. It's nice to be able to whip up a treat without turning on the oven isn't it! 🙂