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I’ve made a lot of date energy balls in my life, so it’s not surprising that a chocolate version finally came out of my kitchen.
These chocolate date balls taste like mini brownie bites, but are 100% fruit sweetened, so they feel almost too good to be true. (But they’re not!) I’ve spent weeks testing these with various add-ins, like pecans, walnuts, and shredded coconut, so I’m confident you’ll love this version.
Since they’re made with 5 simple ingredients, you may already have everything you need to get started. They come together in less than 20 minutes, without turning on your oven, and make the perfect snack or healthy dessert.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Featured Review
“I was skeptical when you said these taste like brownies but they truly do! Thank you!! Love them and will be making them a lot more.” – Monica
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Medjool dates. Shop for dates that look plump, so they will be soft and squishy. I find the best ones in the fresh produce section of my grocery store. You’ll know they’re good when you can easily split them apart with your fingers to remove the pits.
- Walnuts. I use unsalted walnuts for a neutral flavor. I think these nuts make the balls taste the most like brownies, but you can use pecans, if you prefer. (Or replace some of the nuts with shredded coconut, if you like.)
- Cacao Powder. I always keep raw cacao powder, rather than cocoa powder, in my pantry. If you keep the latter on hand, that should still work in this recipe, too.
- Vanilla Extract. A splash of vanilla helps boost the overall flavor. Use alcohol-free vanilla, if you prefer, or cut-back on the amount if you’re sensitive to the taste.
- Fine Sea Salt. A pinch of salt is necessary in any good dessert recipe. It helps make the flavor pop!
How to Make Chocolate Energy Balls
Step 1:
Add the walnuts to the bowl of a large food processor fitted with an “S” blade. Secure the lid and pulse several times, until the walnuts have a fine, crumbly texture.
To measure the dates, be sure to remove the pits first. (Otherwise, they won’t break down in a food processor.) You can press the pitted dates into a tightly packed measuring cup, or weigh them on a food scale. One cup = 8 ounces of pitted dates.
Step 2:
Add the pitted dates, cacao powder, vanilla extract, and salt to the food processor. Secure the lid and process again, just until the mixture looks crumbly and uniform. You’ll know it’s ready to work with as soon as it sticks together when you press it between your fingers.
Be careful not to over process the mixture; it can become very greasy if you blend it for too long.
Step 3:
Scoop the mixture using a tablespoon, then roll them between your hands to form balls. I like to arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then place them in the fridge or freezer so they will firm up.
(But you can also eat them right away; I find it hard to wait sometimes!)
Transfer the chocolate energy balls to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Chocolate Date Balls (Brownie Bites!)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups raw walnut halves (162 g)
- 1 cup Medjool dates (188 g; soft & squishy; pits removed)
- ¼ cup cocoa powder (24 g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (6 g)
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt (2 g)
Instructions
- In a large food processor fitted with an "S" blade, grind the walnuts into a fine meal.
- Add in the rest of the ingredients, and process again until it looks relatively uniform, but still crumbly in texture. Be careful not to over process the mixture; as soon as the mixture sticks together when pressed between your fingers, it's ready to work with.
- Scoop the batter by heaping tablespoons and roll the balls between your hand to shape. Place each ball on a parchment lined baking sheet or plate and repeat the process until you've made approximately 18 balls.
- Store the balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Video
Notes
- I prefer the taste of walnuts in these brownies, but feel free to use any other nut you like, including pecans or almonds. (Seeds may work, too, for a nut-free version.)
- If you don’t have access to dates, try making these with another dried fruit, like raisins, instead. The flavor will be different, but still tasty!
Nutrition
More Recipes to Try
- Healthy Birthday Cake (Fruit-sweetened!)
- Chocolate Frosting – made with dates
- London Fog Drink
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below to let me know how you like it.
These were very satisfying! I also added some maple syrup and almond butter. Throughout the recipe it mentions both cocoa and cacao so it was a bit confusing at first. I ended up using cacao for better nutrition.
Can you press these into a pan and make squares instead?
Yes, definitely!
Thanks!
Nice basic recipe to start with. I ended up adding some almond butter, dried cherries and coconut flakes, then rolled into balls.