These quick and easy to make 5 ingredient date energy balls are made without refined sugar, make a nutritious snack and are perfect for a quick energy boost!
These 5 Ingredient Date Energy Balls are made with healthy ingredients and without any refined sugar. They are naturally sweetened by dates. Dates are filled with beneficial minerals, dietary fibre that fill you up and natural sugars that satisfy your sweet tooth and give you energy without the negative effects of refined sugars.
Energy balls have become very popular. So many variations exist and they’re so adaptable that you are sure to find one that you would enjoy. You can also get creative and try incorporating some of your favourite nuts, nut butters or dried fruit. You can make them with oats, chia seeds or ground flax seeds.
With only 5 ingredients these energy balls sweetened with dates make a great snack, they’re perfect for a quick energy boost before a workout and are a healthy way to satisfy a craving for something sweet. They don’t require any baking, and take 15 minutes to make. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry dates pitted
- 1/3 cup finely ground almonds or other nut
- 1/4 cup unsweetened dried coconut more for rolling
- 1/4 cup refrigerated and well blended natural peanut butter can substitute natural almond butter
- 1 tbsp. cocoa powder
Instructions
- Soak the dates in 1 cup of very hot water for approx. 15 min.
- Drain the dates, reserving the water they were soaked in.
- In the bowl of your food processor, process the dates, adding 1 tablespoon of the reserved water. You are looking for a smooth paste if the dates are still chunky add another tablespoon of water, process a little longer. I needed two tablespoons of water to get a smooth paste.
- Once the dates are smooth, add the ground almonds, peanut butter, dried coconut and cocoa powder. Process again until the mixture comes together in the food processor.
- At this point, take a small amount into your hands, if you can easily roll it then the mixture is ready, if it feels too soft, add more ground almonds or coconut, or a little of both, being careful not too add too much, try one tablespoon at a time until you get a consistency that rolls easily. Scoop approximately two (measuring) teaspoons (or if available use a size 50 scoop) and roll the mixture in the palms of your hands until you have a smooth ball. Repeat this process with the entire mixture, you should get about 14 energy balls.
- If desired you can roll the energy balls in unsweetened dried coconut, or a finely chopped nut of your choosing, I rolled some of mine in coconut and others in unsalted peanuts.
Notes
Nutrition
These are very good. I left out the cocoa powder because my son doesn’t eat it, and they are still delicious. I keep them in the freezer and they don’t freeze solid, but are a great cold treat.
Thank you Vivian, so happy they’re tasty even without the cocoa!
These look delicious. I make something similar, you can see it here: http://thehealthiesthabits.com/homemade-gluten-free-protein-bars/
Hope you like it.
Oh these look marvellous! The perfect sweet treat!
Thank you so much Jess, they’re one of my favourite healthy treats. Thanks for stopping by!
I like such snacks that come in small portions. It is good as a guilt free dessert! These look cute and your pictures are beautiful, Fida!
So do I and I agree they make a great guilt free dessert! Thank you!
A perfect snack for post workout! I love how simple and easy this recipe is.
I know, I can’t believe how easy these were to make! Thanks for stopping bye 🙂
Ooh, I love the look of this! And just 5 ingredients? Really? YES PLEASE!
I know right 5 ingredients, can’t get much easier than that!
These would be a perfect healthy snack when you’re craving something sweet!
Yes, I love that I can satisfy my craving for something sweet with one of these little energy balls.
These look great! Can’t wait to try them.
Thanks Myrna, I’m sure you will like them!
Fida, these look great, easy to make and healthy. And your photos, as usual, are beautiful!
Thanks so much Louise! I’m so glad you like them 🙂