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    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    Vegan Chocolate Coconut Date Balls (5 Ingredient Recipe)

    Published: Jul 14, 2021 · Modified: Jun 14, 2022 by Marinela

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These 5 ingredient chocolate coconut date balls are an easy, no-bake vegan make-ahead dessert idea. Healthy gluten-free snack for kids.

    I make these chocolate coconut date balls almost every week along with this breakfast almond pulp cake. That's because I always make my own homemade almond milk, so I must use the leftover pulp. Only zero food waste recipes are permitted in my kitchen and you must give this one a try!

    Vegan chocolate coconut balls with dates

    These nutritious energy balls ready in 15 minutes make the best midday snack or after-lunch treat. These adorable date balls with coconut flakes don't last long in my home. All family loves it!

    What's more, these bite-sized healthy snacks are vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and refined-sugar-free. Ohh, I forgot to mention that they are totally guilt-free too, just like these quick luscious dark chocolate hearts!

    Are Coconut Date Balls Healthy?

    This simple 5 ingredient recipe that yields the most flavorsome energy balls is packed with a variety of nutrients that are actually good for you. They are perfectly filling and satisfying, sweet enough to satisfy your sweet cravings to indulge yourself in any time of the day.

    Gluten-free coconut date balls with walnuts

    Coconut nutrition benefits

    • High in manganese, mineral that is vital for bone and brain health and many of your body's enzime systems
    • Rich in copper and iron which help form red blood cells
    • High in plant fiber and healthy fat which promotes blood sugar control
    • Helps you to improve cholesterol levels and decrease belly fat
    • Contains disease-fighting antioxidants that protect your cells from damage

    What are the benefits of eating dates?

    • Very high in fiber and powerful antioxidants (prevent the development of certain chronic diseases)
    • Successfully prevent constipation
    • May improve brain function thus promoting brain health
    • May promote and ease naural labor and help facilitate contractions (due to the compounds tannins)
    • They are one of the best natural sweeteners (a healthy substitute for white sugar)
    No bake date balls rolled in coconut

    Cacao powder benefits

    • Packed with natural antioxidant named polyphenols which help you reduce inflammation, lower blood sugar, and improve your cholesterol levels
    • Rich in flavanoids which improve nitric oxide levels and blood vessel functon thus helping you greatly reduce your blood preassure naturally
    • May lower the risk of heart attack and stroke
    • May reduce the stress levels in your body and improve your mood and reduce anxiety and depression

    What are the health benefits of walnuts?

    • Good source of healthy monosaturated fats, omega 3 fatty acids and protein
    • Excellent source of various vitamins and minerals like: copper, folic acid, phosphorus, vitamin B6, manganese, vitamin E
    • Decrease the LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglyceride levels
    • May improve brain health
    • Contain several boactive components that have anticancer properties

    Coconut Date Balls Recipe Ingredients

    Simple plant-based 5 ingredients for making vegan dessert or snack

    These sweet bites of deliciousness that melt in your mouth are made with plant-based, non-dairy ingredients you probably have in your pantry right now. No eggs, butter, flour, or refined sugar. Here they are:

    • Dates
    • Unsweetened desiccated coconut flakes
    • Cacao powder
    • Raw walnuts
    • Vanilla extract

    As always, you can find the full recipe with a list of ingredients with measurements in a printable recipe card at the end of this post.

    Sweet no bake coconut date balls, easy vegan friendly dessert or snack

    Time needed: 15 minutes.

    How to Make Chocolate Coconut Date Balls aka Energy Balls

    This GF coconut date ball recipe is super easy to make! You can make them with or without a food processor. And you don't need to wait for them to firm up in the freezer. You can enjoy them immediately.

    1. Chop up the walnuts

      I like date balls with coconut flakes to have a more crunchy texture. That is why I chopped the walnuts separately.

    2. Process all ingredients

      Next, put dates, desiccated coconut flakes, cacao powder, and vanilla extract in a food processor. Process until all is well combined and you get a paste-like texture.
      If your dates are not soft enough, make sure to soften them first. Put them in a bowl and cover them with hot, boiling water. Let them soak for 5 minutes. If you do this step make sure to completely drain the dates otherwise the mixture won't be sticky but too wet and the balls won't form well.

    3. Roll the energy balls

      Finally, add finely chopped walnuts to the mixture and form your date-walnut-coconut energy balls. I measured them with a tablespoon and got 18 pieces. You can make them bigger if you like. Roll each ball in coconut to coat the outsides.
      Store them in the fridge for up to 7 days in an airtight container.

    Refined sugar free dessert idea - coconut energy bites
    Can you freeze coconut date balls?

    Absolutely! These no-bake coconut date balls are freezer-friendly. Put them into a freezer-safe container and store them in the freezer for up to 2 months. Just defrost them at room temperature before you enjoy them.

    Are date rolls good for you?

    Yes, they certainly are a guilt-free vegan dessert full of healthy fats, protein, and fibre. In my opinion, they are the most delicious on-the-go morning or afternoon pick-me-up snack. These tasty energy bites are perfect to eat before or after a workout. They will give you the energy your body needs and ward off any sneaky sugar cravings.

    Quick kid-friendly snack or dessert recipe

    Can you make vegan date balls without a food processor?

    Of course, you can! Simply soak the dates do 5 minutes in hot water, strain them well and mash them with a fork. Add raw cacao powder, desiccated coconut flakes, vanilla extract, and finely chopped walnuts. Mix all ingredients together with your hands until they all well combined and shape into balls.

    I hope you'll love these flavorful date cacao coconut balls. They are:

    • Refined-sugar-free
    • Kid-friendly
    • Weight-loss friendly
    • Nutty
    • Crunchy
    • Travel-friendly snacks (uper portable for picnics)
    • Yummy grab-and-go snacks for kids and adults

    More Vegan Dessert Recipe Ideas

    • Lovely colorful apricot cake
    • Irresistable gluten-free strawberry muffins
    • Creamy chocolate chia pudding
    • Super moist carrot-pineapple muffins
    • 4 Ingredient homemade chocolate hearts
    • Unique chocolate carob cake
    Chocolate coconut date balls

    Vegan Chocolate Coconut Date Balls (5 Ingredient Recipe)

    Marinela
    These 5 ingredient chocolate coconut date balls are an easy, no-bake vegan make-ahead dessert idea. Healthy gluten-free snack for kids.
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Total Time 15 mins
    Course Dessert, Snack, vegan
    Cuisine American
    Servings 18 balls
    Calories 67 kcal

    Equipment

    • Food processor

    Ingredients
      

    • 15 dates, pitted if they are not soft enough, put them in a bowl and cover with boiling water for 5 minutes, then drain them well
    • ¾ cup desiccated coconut, unsweetened + more for rolling
    • ⅓ cup raw cacao powder
    • ½ cup raw walnuts finely chopped
    • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

    Instructions
     

    • I like date balls with coconut flakes to have a more crunchy texture. That is why I chopped the walnuts separately.
      Sugar free vegan energy balls with raw walnuts
    • Next, put dates, desiccated coconut flakes, cacao powder, and vanilla extract in a food processor. Process until all is well combined and you get a paste-like texture. If your dates are not soft enough, make sure to soften them first. Put them in a bowl and cover them with hot, boiling water. Let them soak for 5 minutes. If you do this step make sure to completely drain the dates otherwise the mixture won't be sticky but too wet and the balls won't form well.
    • Finally, add finely chopped walnuts to the mixture and form your date-walnut-coconut energy balls. I measured them with a tablespoon and got 18 pieces. You can make them bigger if you like. Roll each ball in coconut to coat the outsides. Store them in the fridge for up to 7 days in an airtight container.
      Coconut date energy balls recipe

    Notes

    • You can process the walnuts with the other ingredients, so you don't have to chop them up first. 
    • Depending on the texture of your dates, add more coconut flakes if you get a too wet mixture. On the other side, if the mixture is too dry, feel free to add a tablespoon of tap water at a time so you can easily roll the balls with your hands.
    • Dates should be at room temperature and have a soft, caramelly texture before making this recipe. In that way, you won't need to soak them in water.
    • Freeze any leftovers for up to 2 months in the freezer-friendly container. Just defrost them at room temperature before you enjoy them.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 67kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 1gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 2mgPotassium: 97mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword chocolate coconut date balls, cocont energy bites, coconut date balls recipe, dairy-free, easy, gluten-free, kid friendly, no-bake, quick, refined sugar free
    Tried this recipe?Snap a photo & tag me @go_eatgreen or #go_eatgreen!

    Don’t forget to pin or share this post so you’ll have this chocolate coconut energy balls recipe ready when you need it!

    Quick, no bake, GF date balls

    Made this quick coconut date balls recipe? If yes, please rate it, leave a comment below, and share your photo on Instagram with the tag @go_eatgreen and hashtag it #go_eatgreen. I would love to hear about your experience and your comments just make my day!

    Follow me on Pinterest for more easy and delicious vegan recipe ideas.

    Love, Marinela💚

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    Filed Under: Dessert, Snacks Tagged With: chocolate coconut date balls, cocont energy bites, coconut date balls recipe, dairy-free, easy, gluten-free, kid friendly, no-bake, quick, refined sugar free

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Natalie

      September 13, 2021 at 3:45 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious. I love that you used walnuts. I love walnuts, and my boys love them too. I'm going to make this tonight. Can't wait.

      Reply
      • Marinela

        September 14, 2021 at 1:18 pm

        How wonderful, I hope you'll enjoy it!

        Reply
    2. Crystal

      September 13, 2021 at 4:09 pm

      5 stars
      These chocolate coconut date balls look like the perfect healthy snack! And I love that the recipe requires only 5 ingredients and that it's vegan. Thanks so much!

      Reply
      • Marinela

        September 14, 2021 at 1:19 pm

        Thank you too, Crystal, for such a lovely comment!

        Reply
    3. Julia

      September 13, 2021 at 5:05 pm

      5 stars
      These made such a lovely sweet treat that didn't make me feel guilty as they're doing me so much good. They are quite delicious and a great thing to include in lunch boxes.

      Reply
      • Marinela

        September 14, 2021 at 1:20 pm

        Thank you, Julia! Yes, they are the perfect light snack to put in children's school lunch boxes.

        Reply
    4. Kayla DiMaggio

      September 13, 2021 at 7:55 pm

      5 stars
      Such a fun an easy recipe! Perfect for snacks!

      Reply
      • Marinela

        September 14, 2021 at 1:20 pm

        Thank you, Kayla!

        Reply
    5. Choclette

      September 14, 2021 at 9:09 am

      5 stars
      Date balls are my absolute saviour when I'm on one of my refined sugar-free health kicks. I make them a lot as gifts too as they're always popular. Love your inclusion of walnuts. I usually use cashews, so next time I make some I shall use your recipe.

      Reply
      • Marinela

        September 14, 2021 at 1:24 pm

        Wonderful idea, to surprise our loved ones with this simple deliciousness. Yes, cashews would be the perfect substitute for walnuts, too. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Choclette!

        Reply
    6. Emily

      September 14, 2021 at 9:17 am

      5 stars
      These chocolate coconut date balls are so good, I love that they're vegan! Thank you for sharing this delicious and healthy recipe!

      Reply
      • Marinela

        September 14, 2021 at 1:25 pm

        Thank you for your lovely comment, Emily!

        Reply
    7. Stefanie skrzypek

      September 14, 2021 at 6:41 pm

      5 stars
      these look incredible, can't wait to try!

      Reply
      • Marinela

        September 14, 2021 at 7:03 pm

        Thank you, I hope you'll enjoy them!

        Reply
    8. Anaiah

      September 16, 2021 at 8:40 am

      5 stars
      Healthy, delicious, and naturally sweetened is always the way to go! I love how easy this vegan chocolate coconut date balls recipe is. It's the perfect snack for an energy boost!

      Reply
      • Marinela

        September 17, 2021 at 1:11 am

        So true! Thank you, Anaiah!

        Reply
    9. Jeri Barrett

      August 20, 2022 at 10:40 pm

      5 stars
      I used raw almonds (what I had on hand) and raw almonds butter. Turned out great! These r a delicious sweet Treat! Thanks for posting your recipe.

      Reply
      • Marinela

        August 23, 2022 at 10:30 am

        Almonds sound delicious, too! Thanks so much for the feedback, Jeri! Really happy to hear that you like them.

        Reply

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    A vegan food blogger, photographer, and recipe developer who is passionate about cooking simple, tasty, and budget-friendly recipes with wholesome God-given ingredients. Welcome to my vegan world! My goal is to share these delicious plant-based recipes with you so you can lead more healthy and happy lives!

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