Vegan Energy Balls with Dates and Cocoa (No Coconut)
These vegan energy balls with dates and cocoa are a quick and easy 5-ingredient no-bake snack made with walnuts, dates, cacao, and peanut butter. They’re dairy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, oil-free, and completely coconut-free, making them a delicious snack or simple dessert you can prepare in minutes.
Equipment
- 1 Food processor or high-powered blender
Ingredients
- 1 cup dates
- 1 cup walnuts raw
- 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup cocoa powder unsweetened
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add the walnuts to a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Do not overprocess, or the walnuts may turn into butter.1 cup walnuts
- Add the dates, cocoa powder, peanut butter, and vanilla extract. Process until the mixture forms a sticky dough.
- Scoop out about 1 tablespoon of the mixture and roll it between your hands into small balls. You should get about 17 bite-sized energy balls. Roll the balls in cacao powder or finely ground walnuts if desired.
- Enjoy right away or refrigerate until chilled.
Notes
- Use fresh, soft, pitted dates: I used Mazafati dates, but any soft, sticky variety with a rich caramel flavor and chewy texture will work.
- Soften the dates if needed: If your dates are dry or firm, soak them in hot water for 5 minutes. Drain and pat them dry before adding them to the food processor. Soft dates can be used without soaking.
- Don't overprocess the walnuts: Pulse just until finely ground to prevent them from becoming walnut butter.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Place parchment paper between layers if needed. For longer storage, freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
Calories: 78kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 2gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 5mgPotassium: 112mgFiber: 2gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 2IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 0.5mg
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