If you love having a snack on hand that also doubles as a treat, you’ll love these date balls. They’re made with simple ingredients that you might already have on hand!
I started making this recipe over 10 years ago, when I began studying nutrition. I recall reading a study on the therapeutic effects of dates , and I instantly wanted to eat more of them. This combination was one of the first recipes I tried, and it’s still one of my favorites.
I’ve created several flavor variations since then, including chocolate protein balls , so you can easily customize them with any ingredients you have on hand.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Featured Review “I’ve tried a few other date ball recipes and this is BY FAR the best! My 20 month old son loves them too. Every time he opens the fridge, he sees them and says “BALL!”. My husband is really loving them too as a Whole 30 snack and I love them too! Coming from a nursing AND pregnant mama. So easy to make as well.” -Daisy
Date Balls Recipe Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Medjool dates. Look for Medjool dates that are soft and squishy in the produce section of your grocery store. They should be easy to split apart with your fingers to remove the pits. If you can only find dates in the dried/bulk section, you might need to soak them in hot water for at least 10 minutes to help them soften up before processing. Drain away the water before using them. (The balls will likely be stickier in this case.)
- Nuts. I like these best with walnuts or pecans, but almonds or cashews can also be used. For a nut-free snack, try hulled pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.
- Shredded coconut. This addition helps with texture and flavor. If you love cowboy cookies, you’ll love the coconut here, too. Avoid using sweetened coconut; instead, opt for dried, unsweetened coconut.
- Vanilla extract. This adds extra flavor, so your date balls will taste like cookie dough. But if you don’t have vanilla on hand, these will still taste great without it.
- Salt. A touch of salt enhances the flavor of sweet recipes, so don’t leave it out! I always use pink salt (Real Salt brand), which can taste different than white table salt. If you’re using a different variety, start with a smaller amount and add more to taste.
If you have other ingredients on hand, such as rolled oats, you can add them in as well. These are easy to taste and customize as you go.
How to Make Date Energy Balls
Step 1:
Add the dates, walnuts, coconut, vanilla extract, and sea salt into the bowl of a food processor fitted with an “S” blade. (I use a 12-cup food processor for this.)
Process the ingredients until the texture looks crumbly, which takes approximately 60 seconds. You’ll know the mixture is done when it sticks together easily when pressed between your fingers.
Detoxinista Tip
Note: You can over-process the date mixture into a greasy mess, so it’s better to stop and check when it looks crumbly. As soon as the mixture can be squeezed together into a ball, stop processing it.
Step 2:
Use a tablespoon or 1-ounce cookie scoop to scoop the date mixture, then squeeze or roll it into balls between your hands.
Line a baking sheet or large plate with parchment paper, and place the balls on the prepared pan as you go. You should get roughly 18 balls from this recipe, but you can double it if you’d like to make more for the week ahead.
Detoxinista Tip
For a fancy truffle look, roll the balls in additional shredded coconut or cocoa powder before you put them in the fridge.
How to Store Date Balls
Enjoy these date balls right away at room temperature, or store them in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
They will keep well in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or you can freeze them for up to 3 months.
IngredientsUS CustomaryMetric1x2x3x
- 1 cup Medjool dates , pitted
- 1 cup walnuts (or other nuts/seeds)
- ½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- In a large food processor fitted with an “S” blade, add the pitted dates, walnuts, coconut, vanilla extract, and salt. Process briefly, until the mixture looks crumbly.
- As soon as the mixture sticks together when pressed between your fingers, it’s ready to roll into balls. Be careful not to over-process the mixture, as it can become quite greasy when blended for too long.
- Use a 1-ounce cookie scoop or tablespoon to scoop the mixture, then roll it between your hands to form balls. (Sometimes you’ll need to squeeze it first to stick together, then roll into balls.) Repeat the process with the remaining mixture, until you’ve made roughly 18 date balls.
- You can enjoy these date balls right away at room temperature, or store them in an airtight container with a lid. They will keep well in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Notes
Nutrition
More Recipes to Try
- Chocolate Date Balls (made with cocoa powder)
- Peanut Butter Date Balls
- Spinach Muffins
- Date-Sweetened Birthday Cake
- Healthy Cake Pops with Dates
Date Balls Recipe
Equipment
- Food Processor
Ingredients
- 1 cup Medjool dates , pitted
- 1 cup walnuts (or other nuts/seeds)
- ½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- In a large food processor fitted with an “S” blade, add the pitted dates, walnuts, coconut, vanilla extract, and salt. Process briefly, until the mixture looks crumbly.
- As soon as the mixture sticks together when pressed between your fingers, it’s ready to roll into balls. Be careful not to over-process the mixture, as it can become quite greasy when blended for too long.
- Use a 1-ounce cookie scoop or tablespoon to scoop the mixture, then roll it between your hands to form balls. (Sometimes you’ll need to squeeze it first to stick together, then roll into balls.) Repeat the process with the remaining mixture, until you’ve made roughly 18 date balls.
- You can enjoy these date balls right away at room temperature, or store them in an airtight container with a lid. They will keep well in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
