Love a sweet treat? Try this delicious and healthy date energy balls recipe. The perfect healthy treat to satisfy your sweet cravings and fuel your day.
If you’re someone who enjoys a sweet snack like me, then these healthy date energy balls are a must-try! When I began my journey towards better health and wellness, I feared giving up sweet treats. But I discovered a whole world of recipes using wholesome, natural ingredients like dates to create delicious treats that don’t compromise health.
Among my favourites since embracing a healthier lifestyle are snacks made with dates, such as these delightful date energy balls and my homemade healthy Ferrero Rocher recipe, both of which taste amazing with dates as a key ingredient.
Not only does this energy balls recipe satisfy your sweet tooth, but it’s also a perfect pick-me-up for any time of day. Whether you’re enjoying it in the evening alongside a soothing herbal tea or fueling up before or after a workout, these protein and fiber-packed treats will keep you feeling satisfied and energized.
In this post, I’ll not only share my go-to healthy date energy balls recipe but also provide a variety of alternative ingredients you can swap in or add to create new flavour combinations every time. Plus, I’ll suggest alternatives in case you prefer different ingredients or don’t have them on hand in your pantry!
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do! Don’t hesitate to share your thoughts by leaving a comment and rating below. And if you decide to share your creations on Instagram, be sure to tag me @lotsoflovemariam– I can’t wait to see your delicious recreations!
This post is all about the ultimate date energy balls recipe!
Date Energy Balls
Ingredients Needed To Make Healthy Date Energy Balls
- Medjool Dates: These dates are a must for their irresistibly fudgy sweetness, making them ideal for creating delicious snacks like this one. I got mine from Holland and Barrett, which they kindly gifted me. You can grab the same packet HERE.
- Organic Jumbo Oats: Opt for organic jumbo oats for the healthiest choice. I love using these oats, especially when sourced organically. You can find them at Holland and Barrett as well. Click HERE for the ones I use.
- Peanut Butter: While you can swap this with any nut butter, I highly recommend smooth peanut butter for its perfect match with energy balls.
- Pure Maple Syrup: Ensure it’s pure and organic to avoid refined sugars. This will enhance the sweetness of your energy balls.
- Himalayan Salt: Choose unrefined salt like Celtic sea salt or Himalayan salt to keep this recipe as healthy as possible.
- Chocolate Chips: While optional, adding chocolate chips is a delightful choice, especially if you love chocolate.
How To Make Date Energy Balls
- Begin by removing the pits from the dates before adding them to a food processor.
- In a powerful food processor, combine all your ingredients. If the processor is small, you may need to split the ingredients for easier blending. Blend until smooth, then transfer the mixture into a large bowl.
- If your food processor isn’t as robust, like this one HERE that I own, then soak the dates in hot water for at least 30 minutes to soften them before blending.
- Once blended, add the chocolate chips to the mixture in the bowl and mix thoroughly.
- Using a spoonful of the mixture, press it together to form a dough-like texture and shape it into balls. They should be roughly the size of a golf ball or slightly smaller. This should yield around 12-16 balls, depending on your preferred size.
- While they’re delicious straight away, I recommend popping them in the fridge for at least 10 minutes to help them hold their shape better while eating.
- Enjoy your healthy date energy balls!
Other Healthy Date Recipes:
Variations:
- Nuts and Seeds: Enhance your energy balls with a variety of nuts and seeds like almonds, cashews, walnuts, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, or flaxseeds. These will not only boost protein and healthy fats but also add some texture.
- Cinnamon: For a touch of extra sweetness, sprinkle in some cinnamon. It not only enhances the flavour but also adds a warm, comforting aroma to your energy balls. I would recommend about 1/2 a tsp.
- Cocoa or Cacao Powder: Indulge your chocolate cravings by mixing in cocoa or cacao powder.
- Vanilla Extract: This adds a subtle sweetness. A dash of this would be enough.
- Honey or Agave Syrup: These are perfect substitutes for maple syrup.
How To Store Your Energy Balls With Dates And Oats
- Refrigeration: Keep your date energy balls fresh by storing them in an airtight container in the fridge. Enjoy them within a week for optimal freshness and flavour.
- Freezing: Extend the shelf life of your date energy balls by freezing them. Simply place the energy balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and freeze until firm (about 15 minutes). This prevents them from sticking together when stored. Transfer the frozen energy balls to a freezer-safe container or resealable bag. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy one, simply thaw it in the fridge overnight for a convenient and delicious snack anytime.
Date Energy Balls
Equipment
- 1 powerful food processor
- 1 large bowl for mixing
Ingredients
- 11 medjool dates
- 1 1/2 cup organic jumbo oats
- 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
- 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/3 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Remove pits from dates before adding them to a food processor.
- Combine all ingredients in a powerful food processor. If it's small, split the ingredients for easier blending. Blend until smooth, then transfer to a large bowl.
- If your food processor isn't robust, soak dates in hot water for at least 30 minutes before blending.
- Mix chocolate chips into the bowl of blended ingredients.
- Use a spoonful of mixture to form dough-like balls, roughly the size of a golf ball or slightly smaller. This yields about 12-16 balls.
- For best results, refrigerate balls for at least 10 minutes to help them hold shape when eating.
- Enjoy your healthy date energy balls!
This post was all about a delicious date energy balls recipe!
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!
Don’t forget to rate this recipe and leave a comment down below! I would love to hear what you guys think. Also don’t forget to tag me on your stories @lotsoflovemariam.
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Emma O says
Delicious!!! I made these because I had some dates to use up and this was the PERFECT way to use them. Such a good snack or dessert! I added cinnamon and mini chocolate chips to mine and they’re just incredible. Great recipe, thanks for sharing. I can’t wait to make these again.
Mariam says
Thank you so much Emma for your feedback – it means the absolute world! I am so happy you enjoyed them as much as we did! <3