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Coconut Date Balls

January 30, 2020 by Kelsey Leave a Comment

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When you need a quick burst of energy or a snack to get you through the afternoon slump, these coconut date balls are packed with simple, good for you ingredients and take only 15 minutes to whip up!

date balls aligned in a triangle with a bite taken out of the front ball

Being a busy momma, I am always looking for something quick to snack on while I’m getting myself and the kids ready to head out the door. I have time for breakfast after I drop the kids off, but if I wait until then to eat my hunger has already gotten the best of me!

Hanger doesn’t look very good on me, that’s for sure.

Made with nuts, dates, and unsweetened coconut (that’s it!) these coconut energy bites are the perfect mid meal snack (or before breakfast snack!) to very deliciously tide you over!

Ingredients for no bake coconut date bites

Coconut date balls in the front, ingredients lined up along the back.

Dates: These energy bites are sweetened with dates (no sugar added!) and they are plenty sweet with this dried fruit! Buy the pitted dates or pit them yourself (just make sure they do not have pits in them before you toss them in the food processor!).

If your dates are a bit on the dry side, just soak them in water for 10-15 minutes until they are soft.

Coconut: Coconut flakes are often found in the baking section at the grocery store, but you want to be SURE you use the coconut flakes that are unsweetened. The extra sugar isn’t needed in these date balls!

Cashews: Raw cashews (unroasted and unsalted) are the preferred variety, but if you use roasted and salted that is fine too. Cashews are high in monounsaturated fats, have 5g of protein per ounce and are a good source of magnesium as well.

Almonds: Using raw almonds is preferred, but roasted or salted will still work if that is what you have on hand. Almonds add 6g of protein per 1 oz as well as 4g of fiber! They are high in vitamin E and Magnesium, making them an excellent addition to these coconut date balls.

Pepitas: Pepitas are shelled pumpkin seeds and are sometimes found in the bulk section of grocery stores, or bagged along with the other nuts and seeds.

Vanilla Extract

How to make Coconut Date Balls

With only a few simple ingredients (Raw cashews and almonds, pumpkin seeds, coconut, dates, and vanilla extract) these bites of energy come together quickly and easily.

1. Soaking your dates (if they are hard). When you press on the dates, do they give easily to the pressure of your fingers? Are they sticky to the touch? If you answered yes to both, then you can likely skip this step and just toss them right in the food processor.

If you process hardened dates, you will end up with a crumbly texture that will likely take a bit of extra water and a lot of extra time to come together in the processor.

2. Add all ingredients to the food processor. Process the mixture for 2 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed. If the mixture is a bit crumbly or dry looking, add water 1 tsp at a time until it is wet and sticky in appearance and easily forms a ball.

3. Roll into balls. Scoop out about a tablespoon of the mixture and gently roll into balls. You should get approximately 12 balls depending on the size you roll them.

4. Add toppings and store. Roll in extra shredded coconut if desired. Refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

hand holding a date ball that has been bitten into. Blue plate full of other bites in the background, blurred

FAQs Tips and Tricks

Can you freeze date balls?

Yes! You can freeze these date bites for up to 3 months. Just toss in the refrigerator a few hours before you want to eat them, or over night. You can also take from the freezer and keep for a snack later in the day (without refrigerating them).

Adding Toppings to Date Bites

Getting the flaked coconut to stick to the dates bites can be tricky. The easiest way I have found to do this is to be ready to roll immediately after processing.

After they date mixture has been in the food processor for 2 minutes, it will be slightly warm and wet looking. The toppings stick best when they are warm and slightly stick from being freshly processed.

Other toppings you can add: Crushed almonds, Shredded Chocolate, Cocoa Powder.

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coconut date balls on a plate covered in shredded coconut
Print Recipe

Coconut Date Balls

Coconut Date Balls are quick and delicious one bite energy blasts that are full of good for you simple ingredients!
Prep Time15 mins
Total Time15 mins
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Healthy Snacks
Servings: 12 balls
Calories: 132kcal
Cost: $4.10

Equipment

  • Food Processor

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dates about 13 dates, packed
  • 1/2 cup cashews unsalted preferred
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes plus more for sprinkling if desired
  • 1/4 cup almonds unsalted preferred
  • 1/4 cup pepitas (pumpkin seeds) unsalted preferred
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  • If dates are hard, Soak in warm water 10-15 minutes.
  • Add all ingredients to food processor. Run for two minutes, scraping down sides as needed. If mixture is too dry or seems crumbly, add a tsp of water at a time until it is slightly sticky and can form a ball easily.
  • Roll approx. 1-1.5 Tbsp of mixture into balls. Makes approximately 12 balls. Roll in excess coconut flakes if desired.
  • For Best Taste: Refrigerate for 2 hours before eating. Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Freeze up to 3 months.

Notes

** All nutrition information is an estimate only. The nutrition information will vary depending on ingredients and amounts actually used in preparations. 
If you are using a wide flake coconut, toss some in the food processor BEFORE making the coconut date balls for finely shredded coconut that can be sprinkled on the date balls at the end.
If you are rolling the balls into shredded coconut, do so when they are still warm out of the processor, the coconut flakes will stick best to the warn date balls. 
If the date balls seem to be dry, even after processing for 2 minutes, add a bit of water to bring it all together (1/2-1 tsp at a time).
These energy bites are PERFECT for a quick snack or a sweet after dinner treat!

Not ready to make the dip just yet? Add this recipe to your favorite Pinterest board to save for later!

Top image: date balls in front with blurred ingredients in back. Bottom image hand holding a date ball with a bite taken out of it.

Want more Quick and Easy Snacks? I’ve got you covered with a few tasty ones below!

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Brownie Batter Dark Chocolate Hummus

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Filed Under: 5 Ingredients or Less, Gluten Free, Recipes, Snacks, Vegetarian

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I'm Kelsey- a registered dietitian bringing you easy and fun heart healthy recipes and tips! Keep reading to learn more!

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