Description
These almond butter date balls are an easy, no-bake snack made with dates, nuts, cocoa, and maple syrup. They’re naturally sweetened, vegan, gluten-free, and perfect for on-the-go snacking or a healthy dessert.
Ingredients
- ½ cup walnuts
- ½ cup pitted dates (about 4 to 5), cut into quarters
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- Scant ½ cup maple syrup
- ½ cup almond butter
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ cup whole almonds
- Cooking spray (optional)
- For the topping:
- ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- ½ cup cocoa powder
Instructions
- Place walnuts and dates in a food processor. Pulse until a coarse crumble forms.
- Add cocoa powder, maple syrup, almond butter, vanilla, and salt. Pulse until the mixture becomes smooth, thick, and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
- Add whole almonds and pulse just a few times to mix in — leave some texture.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment. Place coconut and cocoa powder for topping into two small bowls.
- Scoop about 1½ tablespoons of mixture, roll into balls, and coat in coconut or cocoa powder as desired.
- Place balls on baking sheet and chill for at least 30 minutes, or overnight, until firm.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to several weeks.
Notes
- Use soft, sticky dates like Medjool. If dry, soak in warm water for 10 minutes before using.
- Substitute walnuts and almonds with seeds for a nut-free version.
- Try peanut butter or cashew butter instead of almond butter for variation.
- Drizzle with dark chocolate for an extra treat.
- These freeze well and make great travel snacks.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: No Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball
- Calories: 135
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 45mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
