Easy No-Bake Date Energy Balls Recipe with Coconut and Cacao
These easy no-bake date energy balls combine natural sweetness from dates with rich cacao and tropical coconut for a quick, nourishing snack that’s perfect for on-the-go.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 15-18 balls 1x
- Category: Snack
- Cuisine: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (about 150 grams) Medjool dates, pitted
- ½ cup (40 grams) shredded unsweetened coconut
- 2 tablespoons (15 grams) cacao powder
- ¼ cup (30 grams) raw almonds or walnuts (optional)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1–2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- If dates are dry, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes, then drain well.
- Pulse nuts and chia seeds in a food processor until finely chopped but not powdered, about 15 seconds.
- Add dates, cacao powder, shredded coconut, vanilla extract, and sea salt to the processor. Pulse in 20-second intervals, scraping down sides as needed, until mixture starts to clump.
- If mixture is too dry or crumbly, add 1 to 2 tablespoons water one at a time and pulse until it holds together when pressed.
- Scoop about 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of mixture and roll into smooth balls. Repeat with remaining mixture to make 15-18 balls.
- Roll each ball in extra shredded coconut or cacao powder for coating.
- Place balls on a baking sheet or plate and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use Medjool dates for best texture and sweetness. Soak dry dates to soften. Pulse in short bursts to avoid paste-like texture. Slightly damp hands help with rolling. Store in airtight container in fridge up to 1 week or freeze up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 energy ball (about
- Calories: 8090
- Sugar: 1012
- Sodium: 50
- Fat: 34
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 1214
- Fiber: 23
- Protein: 1.52
Keywords: no-bake, energy balls, dates, coconut, cacao, healthy snack, vegan, gluten-free, quick snack