This recipe for date balls without coconut is perfect if you have a busy schedule but you need a quick snack or dessert to keep you energized and productive. All you need is just 5 simple ingredients, 10 minutes, and 1 food processor to make the best homemade date balls ever.
What's more, these rich date chocolate balls are vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, and unbelievably delicious. We love easy recipes that require no baking, no sugar, no oil, and no dairy, or butter. Just like our superfood spirulina energy bites or these crunchy coconut date balls.
Our goal remains always the same, to create plant-based recipes that are both nourishing and tasty.
Homemade Date Chocolate Balls
On a warm late spring day like this, what could be better than scrumptious no-bake date truffles?
The season for raw, bake-free desserts is finally opened! As the weather gets warmer, it's good to take a break from the oven. Don't you think?
Last week was my cousin's prom party. We made a big batch of indulgent bite-sized energy balls with different flavors and textures. But definitely, this recipe for walnut-date chocolate balls was the winner. Everyone asked for it! I was pleasantly surprised, I confess.
So I thought why not share it with you, as well? It's good to have a simple pantry dessert recipe on hand.
Why not treat yourself and your loved ones with these luscious chocolate bites, too? Do you know what's the best part? They have no added sugar which means they're totally guilt-free and absolutely satisfying!
Moreover, these mouthwatering date balls with walnuts are great for any occasion possible. Whether you are looking for a healthy pre or post-workout snack, a decadent afternoon dessert, an impressive food gift, or just to whip up something sweet in a pinch.
Truly, these small healthy snacks are the sweetest way to finish up your meal. Plus, you can make them ahead and enjoy them later throughout the week whenever you need a fast nutritious bite.
Why buy expensive energy balls when it's cheaper and easy to make them at home? They are way better than the store-bought: inexpensive, nutrient-dense, and irresistibly flavorful.
Now, let's make them!
Date Balls Ingredients
This recipe for date balls features a yummy combination of:
- Dates
- Walnuts (raw)
- Cacao powder (unsweetened)
- Peanut butter
- 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.
Time needed: 10 minutes.
How do you make date chocolate balls without coconut?
- Process walnuts
First, finely ground your walnuts in a food processor or high-powered blender. Do not overprocess them otherwise you'll get a butter-like consistency.
- Combine all ingredients
Next, add pitted dates, cacao powder, peanut butter, and vanilla extract. Process on high until a sticky dough is formed.
If your dates are not soft enough, soak them for 5 minutes in a bowl with hot, boiling water. Then pat them dry. If your dates are soft and fresh you can skip this step. - Form small balls and enjoy
After that, scoop out about 1 tablespoon of the mixture and roll small balls with your hands. I got 17 small bite-sized date balls but you can make them bigger if you like.
You can roll each ball into cacao powder or ground walnuts to coat the outsides.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container with the layers separated by parchment paper for up to 7-8 days in the fridge or freeze in a freezer-friendly container for up to 2 months. Enjoy!
Vegan Chocolate Date Truffles - FAQ
Absolutely! These vegan date chocolate balls are packed with plant fiber, disease-fighting antioxidants, healthy fats, and carbs. Because they are full of good-for-you nutrients they can be an excellent source of energy to fuel your body. Also, they can boost your brain health, promote digestion, lower blood pressure, and support heart health. Since these power balls are made with organic, real food ingredients they are a fantastic weight-loss-friendly snack to be enjoyed every day.
Store your date energy balls in one layer (or separated with parchment paper if layered in 2 layers) covered, in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 7-8 days. Additionally, you can freeze them in a freezer-friendly bag or container for up to 2 months. Thaw before eating.
One date ball contains 78 calories.
If you have a high-powered blender just pulse the walnuts until you grind them into a fine meal. If your blender is struggling to make a sticky dough consistency with all ingredients simply mash the dates with a fork and combine everything together in a bowl. Even if you cannot process the walnuts you can chop them finely. In this way, you'll get crunchy chocolate balls.
Why You'll Love These No-Bake Vegan Balls. They're:
- Kid-friendly
- Naturally sweetened
- No coconut, no oats recipe
- Allergy-friendly
- Picky eaters approved
- Easy to pack and enjoy on the go
- Effortless
- Wholesome
- Crowd-pleasing
- Wonderful lunchbox treats
- Impressive
- Full of flavor
More No-Bake Desserts (Easy & Delicious)
- Chewy DIY Granola Bars
- 15 Minutes Flourless Chocolate Tahini Cookies
- Stress-Free No-Bake Brownies
- Sugarless Almond Pulp Cake
- Homemade Dark Chocolate (No Sugar Added)
Vegan Recipe for Date Balls Without Coconut (5 Ingredients Only)
Equipment
- 1 Food processor or high-powered blender
- 1 tablespoon to measure the dough
Ingredients
- 1 cup dates fresh and soft, pitted, measured after pitting. I used Mazafati Dates but you can use whichever are available in your country. It's best if they have a rich, caramel taste with a tender, chewy texture.
- 1 cup walnuts raw
- 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup cacao powder unsweetened
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- First, finely ground your walnuts in a food processor or high-powered blender. Do not overprocess them otherwise you'll get a butter-like consistency.
- Next, add pitted dates, cacao powder, peanut butter, and vanilla extract. Process on high until a sticky dough is formed. If your dates are not soft enough, soak them for 5 minutes in a bowl with hot, boiling water. Then pat them dry. If your dates are soft and fresh you can skip this step.
- After that, scoop out about 1 tablespoon of the mixture and roll small balls with your hands. I got 17 small bite-sized date balls but you can make them bigger if you like.You can roll each ball into cacao powder or ground walnuts to coat the outsides.Store any leftovers in an airtight container with the layers separated by parchment paper for up to 7-8 days in the fridge or freeze in a freezer-friendly container for up to 2 months. Enjoy!
Notes
- Be sure to remove all the pits from your dates before putting them in the food processor
- If your dates are dry, just soak them in very hot water for 5-10 minutes. This will help them soften and plump up. Using a strainer, drain the water, and press out any excess moisture. This step is very important, you don't want the dough to be too wet and unmanageable
- Dates should be at room temperature otherwise the food processor or blender may struggle a bit
- You can substitute walnuts with almonds, pecans, or hazelnuts.
- For nut-free energy balls, substitute walnuts with pumpkin seeds (pepitas), sunflowers seeds, hemp seeds, or a combination of the three of them. Just use the same ratio
- You can swap peanut butter with hazelnut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter
- If the mixture is too wet and gooey, add more ground walnuts or cacao powder
Nutrition
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Did you try this vegan 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!
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Love, Marinela💚
Katie
Love these coconut-free date balls! They're super sweet, and keep me full for hours! I'll be making this recipe very regularly from now on.
Marinela
Oh, that's great, Katie! I'm so happy to hear that you love this easy recipe for date energy balls. Thank you for your lovely review!
Andrea
these date balls are the perfect snack! so good!
Marinela
I'm glad you like them, Andrea. Thank you for commenting!
Choclette
Gosh but I love date balls. They're so delicious and as long as you don't eat the lot in one sitting, really quite healthy too. I've tried many variations, but not yet with walnuts. Yum!
Marinela
I totally agree with you, Choclette, and I'm glad you like them! Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us.
Nancy
These date balls are super tasty and easy snack whenever you feel peckish or need something sweet!
Marinela
I'm glad you love them, Nancy! Thank you for your lovely feedback.
Aneta
These chocolate date ballls made my day. ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! 😊
Marinela
I'm so glad you like them, Aneta! Thank you for sharing your feedback with us.