Chocolate Paleo Energy Balls Recipe! 5 minutes and 8 ingredients is all it takes to make this healthy snack! Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free & date sweetened!
Happy August! I don’t want to sound all cliché, but seriously can you believe that we’re already 4 days into August?! I definitely can’t! Any who. It’s time for a seriously delicious healthy energy balls recipe!
I’ve already shared two healthy energy balls recipes (these and these) on the blog, which we love, but these Chocolate Paleo Energy Balls are definitely the new favorite in la casa de JoyFoodSunshine.
There’s something magical about the sweet/buttery combination of cashews and pecans that makes these chocolate date balls taste like little bites of chocolate brownie heaven.
How to make Paleo Energy Balls
These Chocolate Paleo Energy Balls are adapted from my Almond Butter Energy Bites recipe. They are vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free and only sweetened with dates! Plus, they take a mere 5 minutes to make!
1. Use a Vitamix or Food Processor
Either machine works extremely well in making these Chocolate Paleo Energy Balls! just be sure not to over-process or blend your healthy energy balls or they will end up oily and not easy to handle.
2. Process dates first.
I always process my dates first for two reasons.
- I like to make sure there are no surprise pits in them and
- They take the longest to blend well so getting them started first ensures you won’t over-process these coconut date energy balls!
3. Chill!
These Chocolate Paleo Energy Balls are best when served cold! We actually store ours in the freezer! We usually eat them frozen, but sometimes will let them thaw a little bit before enjoying them!
True story: My kids expect me to have some sort of energy bite on hand at all times. Every day, after I put sweet little Naomi down for her nap, the rest of us have a snack. Bethany and Gabe run to the freezer and pick out their favorite ball (i.e. the biggest one they can find) and we go outside to sit at the picnic table and enjoy a mid-morning treat. They L-O-V-E to eat these…and I love that they’re fueling their cute little bodies with lots of healthy fats, protein and fiber.
Chocolate Paleo Energy Balls: Substitutions
Here are a few substitutions that can be made in these Paleo Chocolate Brownie Energy Bites!
- Pecans/Cashews. I have included my absolute favorite combination of nuts to give the best brownie taste to these energy bites. However, you can substitute your favorite nuts, just be sure to use a total of 1 cup of nuts!
- Almond butter. Any nut butter works great in this recipe! My top recommendations are almond butter and cashew butter!
- Almond milk. Use your favorite non-dairy milk in this recipe!
IF YOU MAKE SOMETHING FROM JOYFOODSUNSHINE I WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOUR CREATIONS! DON’T FORGET TO RATE THIS RECIPE AND LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW! ALSO, FOLLOW ALONG WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM, PINTEREST, FACEBOOK AND TWITTER FOR MORE RECIPE INSPIRATION AND A GLIMPSE INTO OUR EVERYDAY LIFE!
Chocolate Paleo Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 2 cups pitted dates
- ½ cup raw pecans
- ½ cup raw cashews
- 2 TBS cocoa powder
- ½ tsp salt*
- 2 TBS almond butter
- 1 TBS unsweetened almond milk
- ½ tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Line a baking pan with wax paper, set aside. (You will not be baking these, you just need a place to set your rolled bites as you make them).
- Put dates, pecans and cashews in your food processor fitted with an “S” blade or in your Vitamix. Process until mixture is fine and homogeneous.
- Add the rest of the ingredients in the order listed (cocoa powder, salt, almond butter, almond milk, & vanilla) to your food processor and process until mixture just starts to clump together.
- Roll 1 TBS portions of your “dough” into balls and place them on your prepared baking sheet.
- Put them in the fridge or freezer until they harden.
- Transfer to an airtight container to save for later! These can be stored at room temperature, but will last longer when kept in the fridge or freezer! I think they taste the best cold/frozen!
Notes
Nutrition
So, today, August 4th is kind of a big deal because it’s the anniversary of the day I said “I do” to the man of my dreams! I am still madly in love with him after all this time (I mean he’s basically superman so how could I not be)?! We had our big celebration last week when my mom was in town and we went away for 28 hours by.our.selves (say what?!) But we’re still going out to dinner tonight to celebrate while some amazing friends play with our babies! I’m so grateful for a man who loves me unconditionally, is strong when I am weak, and is my partner for now and forever!
When is your anniversary? What is your favorite way to celebrate?
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Andrea O'Donnell
These are delicious!! My hubby said these are the best energy balls I have ever made! Question, about how many dates is in 2 cups? I think I made 11 and my carb count went way up. I was wondering how many you use to make it?
Harvey Lee
These look really delicious! I love brownies and I will definitely love making chocolate energy bites. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Melissa
Love these! When eating paleo, it’s hard to find a snacks without oatmeal or other grains! I love these are protein filled and sweetened with dates! Thanks for sharing! 😊
Laura
Thank you Melissa! These little snacks are a staple in our house! 😉
Deana
Today, my son and I made these together. He was nervous because he doesn’t like dates. To our surprise these turned out awesome! Very delicious and takes care to that sweet craving one might have. Thanks for sharing!
Sandy
I recently got a new food processor and went crazy making all of the energy bite balls on this website. I love them! They’re a new thing that I’ll always have stocked in my freezer. Such a great quick, filling, and healthy snack that I can bring along with me each day. My husband loves them too. Thanks Laura!
Holly
I unfortunately have an almond sensitivity to work around. Is there a substitute nut butter/milk that would perform well in this recipe? Thanks!
Laura
Hey Holly! Absolutely!!! You can substitute any nut butter or dairy-free milk in this recipe with fantastic results! I suggest trying Cashew Butter…it’s super delicious!
amanda
I rolled half of my batch in unsweetened coconut flakes…so good, and they look so decadent!!
Laura
OoOo that sounds perfect! So glad you love them!!!
Anna Wright
These broownies were really amaziing . Lovely one I just tried them, any other amazing recipes you proud enough to share? Thanks
Angela
These look wonderful! I can not wait to try them…Pinned 🙂 Thanks for sharing at the Sunday Fitness & Food Link-Up!!
Laura
Thank you Angela! They’re our favorite healthy snack!
Ilka
Energy Bites like this are my favorite healthy snack! So yummy, too!
Liz @ The Clean Eating Couple
Oooh save me one!! These look tasty!
Laura
We love sharing over here… 😉
Veronika Sýkorov
These look really delicious! I love making chocolate energy bites 🙂
Laura
I agree Veronika! they’re so easy, healthy and delicious!
Kristy from Southern In Law
Happy belated anniversary!
These look so so good so I totally understand why your kids always go looking for raw bites 😉 I would proudly endorse any kind of nut butter, haha!
Laura
Thank you so much Kristy! Nut butters forever! <3 🙂
Sarah @ Happy + Healthy Taste Buds
Hi Laura! I just discovered your blog and I’m loving the bright, clean photos + the delectable yet healthy recipes + the fun commentary from your life. Your kids are adorable!! 🙂 So glad you get to be at home with them! 🙂
Pinning… and I’ll be back for your next post too. 😉 Thanks!!
Laura
Thank you so much Sarah! 🙂
Megan
Aw happy anniversary! These energy bites look absolutely delicious. You’re such a good mum making these for your kids to snack on. I hope I’m as on to it when I have kids one day.
If I was gonna be an ambassador for something it would have to be peanut butter. I can’t get enough.
Sarah Grace Spann
mmm, I love my no bake bites and balls. Such a delicious treat! These are a great paleo snacks!
xo,
Sarah Grace
Emily
I can’t wait for more Barney Butter recipes too! I have yet to find an Almond butter that rivals Barney.
Happy Anniversary precious friend in the Lord! So thankful that God has given you many years together and praying for many many more seeking Him and abiding in His love.
Jen V.
These look so yummy! I am always on the lookout for healthy snack recipes for my girls for afterschool. I am printing your recipe so I can try it. Thanks for sharing!