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These chocolate energy date balls are the perfect healthy snack that taste like a treat! Dates, almonds, cocoa powder, and chocolate chips combine to create a portable treat that are reminiscent of a fudgy brownie dessert.
You all went wild for our salted chocolate peanut butter energy balls, so we wanted to bring you another healthy energy ball recipe to satisfy your sweet cravings. These brownie batter energy balls (made with dates as the sweetener) totally fit the bill!
Made with dates, almonds, cashew butter, cocoa powder, and chocolate chips, these little bites are rich, chocolatey, and totally addictive. They make a great post-workout snack, healthy dessert, and would also be great to tuck into your kid’s lunchbox!
Are energy balls healthy?
Yes! One of the best things about these chocolate date energy balls is that even though they look like cookie dough and have flavors like brownie batter, they’re actually good for you, too.
This version is both vegan and Paleo and is naturally sweetened – so there’s really something for everyone! The purpose of a date ball is to give you an on-the-go snack that can satisfy your hunger and give you a boost of energy. The combination of the healthy fats from the almonds and cashew butter in this recipe and the carbohydrates from the dates help do just that. Also, if you’re looking to avoid traditional sugar, these are a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Ingredients Needed
Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious brownie batter energy balls!
- Blanched Almonds – we chose blanched almonds for the base of these energy balls because of their neutral flavor. To make your energy balls, you’ll grind the almonds in the food processor, this will help hold them together.
- Medjool Dates – next, you’ll grind up the dates in your food processor along with the almonds. The dates add sweetness to the recipe and make all of the ingredients stick together!
- Cashew Butter – cashew butter is another essential ingredient for these bites. We chose cashew butter for its mild flavor, so it won’t interfere with the chocolate flavor, and its richness. However, you can absolutely use any nut butter you’d like here!
- Chocolate – of course, the brownie flavor isn’t complete without a hefty dose of chocolate! Here we use both cocoa powder and mini dark chocolate chips to make these even tastier.
- Collagen Peptides – while collagen peptides are optional here, they are great for gut and skin health and give these energy balls a great nutritional boost!
- Coconut Oil – you’ll need 1 tablespoon of coconut oil to pair with a quarter cup of chocolate to make the delicious drizzle topping.
- Flaky Sea Salt – finish your chocolate date balls with a pinch of flaky sea salt for the most delicious salty-sweet combo!
How to Make Them
- Food process the almonds and dates – place the almonds in a food processor and pulse until ground to a sand-like consistency, then add the dates and continue to pulse until they are a similar consistency to the almonds.
- Add the cashew butter, collagen peptides, and cocoa powder – add the cashew butter, collagen peptides, and cocoa powder to the food processor and blend until smooth. Add 1 tablespoon of water at a time to thin the mixture if needed.
- Add chocolate chips – transfer the mixture to a large bowl, add in chocolate chips (leaving out a 1/4 cup for the chocolate drizzle topping) and salt, and stir to mix well.
- Roll into balls – roll the mixture into 1 1/2 inch balls, and place on a parchment-lined sheet pan.
- Make the chocolate drizzle – in a small bowl, combine the 1/4 cup of chocolate chips with the coconut oil, and microwave for 30 seconds. Once melted, give it a good stir, and use a spoon to drizzle it over the balls.
- Refrigerate – place the sheet pan in the refrigerator and refrigerate until firm.
- Store – store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to two weeks, or in the freezer for up to 3 months!
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of dates to use?
Medjool dates are best for this recipe because they’re soft, chewy, and caramel-like. A lot of other date variations are harder in texture and not nearly as sweet.
Can I make these date balls without a food processor?
While a food processor is definitely the best choice here, if you don’t have one, you can try using a high-powered blender (like a Vitamix) for this recipe!
Ingredients
- ¾ cup slivered almonds
- 8 pitted Medjool dates
- 1 cup cashew butter*
- â…“ cup collagen peptides optional
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 2-3 tablespoons water
- ¾ cup mini dark chocolate chips
- ¼ teaspoon coarse sea salt
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- Flaky sea salt for topping
Instructions
- Place the almonds in a food processor and pulse until ground to a sand-like consistency, then add the dates and continue to pulse until they are a similar consistency to the almonds.
- Add the cashew butter, collagen peptides, and cocoa powder and blend until smooth. Add 1 tablespoon of water at a time to thin the mixture if needed.
- Transfer mixture to a large bowl, add in the ½ cup of chocolate chips and salt, and stir to mix well.
- Roll mixture into 1 ½ inch balls, and place on a parchment lined sheet pan.
- Add the ¼ cup of chocolate chips and tablespoon of coconut oil to a small bowl, microwave for 30 seconds, then stir and use a spoon to drizzle the chocolate over the balls.
- Refrigerate the energy balls until firm.
- Store in the fridge in an airtight container for up to two weeks, or in the freezer for up to 3 months!
Nutrition Information
Recipe Notes
- We like cashew butter here for its mild taste and rich texture, but almond butter, peanut butter, or sunbutter would also be great options!
Kelli says
These are absolutely delicious! I barely was able to roll these into balls because my husband and I kept eating this right out of the bowl. Thank you so much for this recipe and all the others on this site. We are on a first name bases with you in my kitchen.
Lori E Garvey says
can i use almond meal vs grinding my own almonds?
Amber Goulden says
That should be fine!
Melissa Fattal says
Did you use 3/4 cup almond meal / flour instead of the slivered almonds or any less?
Karla Thorpe says
Can you use collagen instead of collagen peptides?
Brandi Schilhab says
Yes, Karla! That works!
Stephanie says
These date balls are so YUMMY! I used them for my dessert and would look forward to one each night after dinner! Can’t wait to make them again.
Brandi Schilhab says
We’re so glad you love them, Stephanie! Thank you so much for taking the time to share this with us!
Sarah Jones says
I love these! They are the perfect, guilt free way to satisfy my sweet tooth after dinner! I used powdered peanut butter and the first time I added way too much water and they were very difficult to roll into balls. Second time around I used 4 tbsp and it was perfect. I used chocolate protein powder instead of collagen powder and even with only 1/3 c of choc chips to mix in it was plenty sweet enough.
Brandi Schilhab says
We’re glad you enjoyed them, Sarah!