Chocolate Peanut Butter Date Balls are a quick, no-bake snack or dessert with a deep chocolate flavor from cocoa powder. Made without oats, these sticky, naturally sweet bites are vegan, gluten-free, and perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth in a wholesome way.
Love energy balls with dates? Try my date oatmeal balls or walnut date balls.
Chocolate peanut butter date balls are hands down my favorite snack, especially when the weather gets warm and I want something sweet, satisfying, and not melted in my hand (looking at you, chickpea brownies!).
They’re incredibly easy and fast to make in just 15 minutes or less, using simple pantry staples—no oats, no refined sugar, just all the good stuff.
Dates are my secret for sweetness without added sugar. I use them in everything from coconut-free bliss balls, spirulina protein bites, raw date brownies, and date Nutella.
Plus, these rich, truffle-like energy bites are perfectly portable; they're our trusty travel companions for road trips, keeping us energized and away from those tempting sugary snacks and empty calories.
No oven, no fuss, just pure chocolatey bliss in every bite!
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Ingredients
- Dates: The dates should be soft and sticky—if they’re not, simply soak them in hot water for 10-15 minutes, then drain well.
- Peanut butter: I love using natural peanut butter for this recipe, but feel free to swap it with almond or cashew butter for a different nutty twist.
- Cocoa powder: Unsweetened cocoa powder is the magic ingredient that infuses these bites with a rich and satisfying chocolatey flavor.
- Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla extract adds a warm, aromatic depth to the flavor.
- Salt: A pinch of salt enhances, balances the sweetness,s and brings out the nutty and chocolatey notes.
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.
How To Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Date Balls
Step 1: Add the pitted dates, peanut butter, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and salt to a food processor. Process until a sticky ball forms. If the mixture seems too dry, pulse a little longer or add water one teaspoon at a time until it's moldable but not overly sticky.
Step 2: With clean hands, shape the mixture into equal-sized balls. I used a 1 ½ tablespoon ice cream scoop to portion them out.
Step 3: Roll each ball in a small dish of cocoa powder until coated. Enjoy immediately, or store for later!
Storage
Keep these energy bites at room temperature for up to 3 days.
For longer storage, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, or freeze them for up to 3 months.
Variations
- Nut-free version: For a nut-free option, simply swap the peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or tahini.
- Chocolate boost: If you want an even richer chocolate flavor, melt a bit of dark chocolate and drizzle it over the finished balls.
- Coating alternatives: Instead of cocoa powder, try rolling the balls in finely chopped nuts or shredded coconut.
Marinela's Tips
- Choose soft dates: For the best texture, make sure your dates are soft and sticky. If they’re a little dry, soak them in hot water for 10-15 minutes, drain, and then use them to ensure smooth blending.
- Sticky fingers? If the mixture feels too sticky while shaping, dampen your hands with a little water or coconut oil—it'll make rolling them into perfect balls a breeze.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
While it enhances the flavor, you can skip the vanilla extract if you don't have it on hand.
Try chilling the mixture in the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes to firm it up before rolling. You can also lightly dampen your hands with water.
More No-Bake Desserts
- Pumpkin protein bites
- Lemon and coconut bliss balls
- Peanut butter-stuffed dates
- Raw almond pulp cake
📖 Recipe
Chocolate Peanut Butter Date Balls (No Oats)
Equipment
- Food processor or high-speed blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup dates pitted (I used 17 dates, see notes)
- 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter
- ¼ cup cocoa powder unsweetened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- 1 pinch salt optional
Instructions
- Blend all ingredients in a food processor until a sticky ball forms. Add water, 1 teaspoon at a time, if the mixture is dry.1 cup dates, 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter, ¼ cup cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 pinch salt
- Shape the mixture into equal-sized balls (I used a 1 ½ tablespoon scoop).
- Roll each ball in cocoa powder. Enjoy right away, or store for later!
Notes
- I used 1 cup of packed dates, measured before pitting, which was about 17 dates in total.
- Use soft, sticky dates for the best texture. If they're dry, soak them in hot water for 10-15 minutes, drain, and blend.
- If the mixture is too sticky, dampen your hands with water or coconut oil to easily shape into balls.
- Store energy bites at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Swap peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or tahini for a nut-free option.
Nutrition
If you try these peanut butter date balls, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo @go_eatgreen on Instagram.
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