These date nut balls are a simple and wholesome snack that’s perfect for busy days. Naturally sweetened and packed with protein and healthy fats from nuts, they come together fast and keep you full without the sugar crash. They’re also vegan, gluten-free, and made with just a few pantry staples.
One of my favorite things about no-bake energy balls is how convenient they are. You can roll up a batch in minutes and stash them in the fridge or freezer for an easy, quick snack. They’re great before a workout, between meals, or anytime you need something satisfying without turning on the oven.
Ingredient Notes
This quick and easy snack recipe uses just a handful of ingredients that can be found in any grocery store. It is both gluten free and vegan as written. with no added sugar.
- Dates - Any kind of dates will work, but I normally use Medjool dates. The dates sweeten the bliss balls and help them to stick together.
- Vanilla extract - A dash of vanilla extract to bring out the flavors of the energy balls.
- Dry Roasted Almonds and Cashews - Using roasted nuts really brings out the nutty flavor in these energy balls. If you don’t have any almonds or cashews on hand or you don’t like those nuts, you can replace them with equal amounts of any other nut or seed.
- Coconut Oil - A little bit of coconut oil helps to bind the ingredients together.
- Maca powder (optional) - Maca powder is a nutrient dense superfood that gives this snack a boost of nutrition.
See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for ingredient list with measurements.
Optional Add-Ins
Customize this easy base recipe with your favorite additions for more flavor options! For crunchy additions, like rice krispies and chocolate chips stir them in after you have processed the date paste.
- Dark chocolate chips
- Rice Krispies
- Sunflower seeds
- Vegan protein powder
- Hemp Seeds
- Chia seeds
- Pumpkin seeds
How to Make Date Energy Balls
These protein balls are easy to make using just 5 simple ingredients. This snack recipe requires no baking and can be made in just 10 minutes..
STEP 1: Add all the protein ball ingredients to a food processor and blend until the mixture becomes sticky and comes together.
STEP 2: Use a tablespoon or small cookie scoop to scoop the date mixture and roll it into balls using your hands.
Tip: Dampen your hands with water before rolling the sticky dough. This helps the mixture not stick to your hands but rather roll into smooth, neat balls.
STEP 3: Place the balls on a parchment paper lined baking sheet in the refrigerator for an hour to firm up before enjoying.
Expert Tips
- What to do if the bliss ball mixture isn’t sticking together: The first thing you can do is pulse your mixture again - keep mixing it until it sticks together. Another reason could be that your dates were too dry (see below on how to rehydrate your dates) or you may need to add an extra date or two.
- Make sure your dates are soft: If your dates feel a bit too dry, you can rehydrate them in a bowl of warm water for 5 minutes. Once you have soft dates, drain the water and proceed with the recipe.
Storage
- Refrigerator: You can store date balls in the refrigerator for one week in a sealed, airtight container.
- Freezer: You can store these protein balls in the freezer in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. You can eat these Date Protein Balls straight out of the freezer, or just place them in the fridge to thaw.
More energy bites recipes to try:
If you try this recipe, please leave a 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 star rating and let me know how you liked it in the comments below.
Recipe
Date Nut Balls
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Dry Roasted Cashews
- ¾ Cup Dry Roasted Almonds
- 8 - 10 Dates pits removed
- 2 tablespoons Coconut Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
- 2 Tablespoons Maca Powder optional
Instructions
- Add all the protein ball ingredients to a food processor and blend until the mixture becomes sticky and comes together.1 Cup Dry Roasted Cashews, ¾ Cup Dry Roasted Almonds, 8 - 10 Dates, 2 tablespoons Coconut Oil, 1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract, 2 Tablespoons Maca Powder
- Use a tablespoon to scoop the dough and roll it into balls using your hands.
- Place the balls into the fridge for an hour to firm up before enjoying.
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