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    Home » Chocolate Date Energy Balls (Vegan & Paleo)

    Chocolate Date Energy Balls (Vegan & Paleo)

    Published: Jan 26, 2020 · Modified: Sep 3, 2021 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    No-Bake Chocolate Date Energy Balls Recipe! These healthy energy balls are made in 5 minutes with 8 ingredients and they taste like brownie bites! They are vegan, Paleo gluten-free and have no refined sugar, but you'd never know it! They're also freezer-friendly! 

    overhead view of 13 chocolate date energy balls on a serving board

    These chocolate date energy bites are a snack time staple in our house. Skip the pre-packaged snacks and make these energy balls full of wholesome ingredients! 

     My kids L-O-V-E to eat these because they taste like little brownie bites, and I love that they're fueling their cute little bodies with lots of healthy fats, protein and fiber. They're also great for pregnant women who are trying to eat dates to prepare for labor (which has been me the majority of the last 9 years)! 😉 

    This energy balls recipe is a step above the rest for many reasons: 

    1. It's easy to make - these energy balls come together in 5 minutes with 8 ingredients. 
    2. No added sugar - these chocolate energy bites are only sweetened with dates. 
    3. They're healthy! These energy balls are paleo, vegan, gluten/grain-free and have no refined sugar!  
    4. Freezer friendly - I love prepping a large batch of these energy balls and storing them in the freezer for a quick and easy snack on busy days! 
    5. They taste amazing - these vegan energy balls taste like a decadent treat, but they're really nutritious.
    front view of chocolate date energy balls on a white serving board

    Date Energy Balls: Ingredients & Substitutions

    As always, let's chat about the ingredients in this paleo energy balls recipe, as well as possible substitutions. 

    overhead view of the ingredients in these date energy balls
    • Pecans/Cashews. I have included my absolute favorite combination of nuts that make these energy balls legitimately taste like brownies!  However, you can substitute your favorite nuts. Just be sure to use a total of 1 cup of nuts. I prefer softer nuts (pecans, cashews, walnuts) in this recipe over almonds for a soft and brownie-like texture. 
    • 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!
    • Sea salt. If you use salted nuts, you will want to omit or decrease the amount of sea salt! 
    Chocolate Date Energy Balls in a bowl, one has a bite taken out of it

    How to make Date Energy Balls

    This energy balls recipe only  take a mere 5 minutes to make with 8 ingredients! It's super easy, but I have some tips to help ensure your e energy-bite-making success! Don't forget to watch the video too! 

    Process nuts & dates 

    The first step in this recipe is to process the dates and nuts together until a crumbly meal forms. This ensures that there won't be any large chunks of dates in the final product! 

    two overhead photos showing how to make energy balls

    Add ingredients & process again

    Add the rest of the ingredients to the date/nut mixture in the food processor and process until mixture just starts to clump together and easily holds together when squeezed.

    two overhead photos showing how to make energy balls

    Form into balls

    Measure out 1 TBS portions of the date energy balls mixture, and roll them into balls. Repeat until all the mixture has been used. 

    overhead photo showing measuring out date energy balls

    Chill & Enjoy

    Place rolled energy bites in a storage container with a lid, and store them in the refrigerator or freezer. These chocolate energy balls are best served cold.

    We actually store ours in the freezer! We usually eat them frozen, but sometimes let them thaw a little bit before enjoying them!

    overhead view of date energy balls in a glass container

    FAQs about Date Energy Balls

    Here are some commonly asked questions about making energy bites. 

    How do you store energy balls? 

    Store these date energy balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.

    How long do energy balls last? 

    These vegan energy balls last for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator, and 3 months in the freezer if stored properly. 

    More healthy snack recipes 

    If you're looking for some more healthy snack recipes, check these out!

    • We adore these peanut butter oatmeal balls!
    • These coconut energy balls are another great paleo and vegan recipe!
    • If you love almonds, then these almond butter energy balls are for you! 
    • Healthy Homemade Fruit Snacks have sneaky veggies and lots of real fruit!
    • Love savory snacks? Try these crunchy roasted chickpeas or these baked kale chips!
    Chocolate Date Energy Balls on a plate, one has a bite taken out of it

    If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube - be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

    Chocolate Date Energy Balls (Vegan & Paleo)

    Laura
    Chocolate Date Energy Balls Recipe! These healthy energy balls are made in 5 minutes with 8 ingredients and they taste brownie bites! They are vegan, Paleo gluten-free and have no refined sugar, but you'd never know it! They're also freezer-friendly!
    4.97 from 33 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Chill time 10 mins
    Total Time 15 mins
    Course Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 20 Energy Bites
    Calories 56.1 kcal

    Equipment

    • Food processor
    • measuring spoons
    • measuring cups
    • spatula

    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!

    Video

    Notes

     Ingredients & Substitutions

    • Pecans/Cashews. You can substitute your favorite nuts for the pecans/cashews. Just be sure to use a total of 1 cup of nuts. I prefer softer nuts (pecans, cashews, walnuts, peanuts) in this recipe over almonds for a soft, brownie-like texture. 
    • 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 energy balls recipe!
    • Sea salt. If you use salted nuts, you will want to omit or decrease the amount of sea salt! 

    To store/freeze

    Store these chocolate energy balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or the freezer for up to 3 months. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1energy biteCalories: 56.1kcalCarbohydrates: 4.8gProtein: 1.2gFat: 3.7gSaturated Fat: 0.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.9gSodium: 32.1mgPotassium: 33.1mgFiber: 1.1gSugar: 3.4gCalcium: 10mgIron: 0.3mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    The photos in this post were taken by Jamie from Dishing Out Health! Check her out for delicious, plant-based healthy recipes!

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Andrea

      July 03, 2022 at 1:56 pm

      5 stars
      Super delicious! Didn’t use 2 cups of dates—that’s too much sugar. Still worked well with about 1 1/3 cup!

      Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
    2. Amber crittendon

      January 23, 2022 at 6:48 am

      5 stars
      These were awesome! My husband and I really needed a chocolate fix while we near the end of our whole 30 and these were perfect! Thanks for sharing the recipe.

      Reply
    3. Diana

      December 22, 2021 at 8:17 pm

      5 stars
      Love these! Made them into “reindeers” for with my daughter and her friends

      Reply
      • Laura

        December 23, 2021 at 7:13 am

        Love that idea Diana!!

        Reply
    4. Sanjana

      June 21, 2021 at 7:27 am

      5 stars
      DELICIOUS and so easy to make!! Love the satisfying chewiness, sweetness, and nutrients that each ball packs. These will be becoming a household staple — especially since I have all of the ingredients on hand!

      Reply
    5. Celina

      May 04, 2021 at 5:21 pm

      How can I eat just one? Delicious

      Reply
    6. Ninette

      May 04, 2021 at 9:32 am

      5 stars
      So much deliciousness in a little ball! Thank you Laura!!

      Reply
    7. Gabrielle

      April 09, 2021 at 3:24 pm

      5 stars
      So yummy and easy!I added a bit of shredded coconut to mine!

      Reply
    8. Suzanne

      March 30, 2021 at 7:27 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you Laura, these are the best date based power balls I have ever eaten! Super yummy!!! I was looking for a plant based treat and this was perfect 🙂

      Reply
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    About Laura

    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

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