These Chocolate Date Balls are perfect when you need that sweet chocolate fix. Made with Medjool dates, pumpkin, and cocoa powder they’re rich, sweet, and offer a great afternoon energy boost. No-bake and easy to prepare!
The Best Chocolate Balls
These chocolate balls, aka date energy balls, can be eaten as a snack or dessert when you’re craving chocolate but don’t want just sugar. They’re made with just a few ingredients – dates, walnuts, pumpkin puree, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract – and are so rich and delicious.
They will cure that chocolate craving as a quick treat but are also filling enough that they make a great afternoon snack and are perfect for taking on hikes or if you know you’ll be in the car for hours.
You might also like these pumpkin pistachio date balls or these no-bake fudgy snow balls.
Why You’ll Love This Date Ball Recipe
We LOVE these chocolate balls. Here are a few reasons why.
- No baking required. All you need to do is combine the ingredients, form the dough into balls, and chill. No oven or stove required.
- Easy to customize. There are so many ways to customize these date energy balls to fit your preferences. I’ve included a list of recommended variations below.
- Store well. These keep in the fridge for up to a week and in the freezer for months, which means you can always keep them on hand for when that chocolate craving strikes.
What You’ll Need
These date balls are made with just a handful of ingredients. Scroll down to the recipe card below for measurements.
- Walnuts: Most of the walnuts get mixed with the other ingredients. You crush the rest and roll the chocolate energy balls in the nuts to coat them.
- Dates: You’ll need ten pitted Medjool dates.
- Pumpkin: Use a quarter cup of canned or homemade pumpkin puree.
- Salt: Add a pinch of sea salt to balance the sweetness.
- Cocoa Powder: I used Dutch process cocoa powder, but any kind will work.
- Vanilla Extract: Add a half teaspoon for extra flavor.
What is the difference between regular dates and Medjool dates?
Medjool dates are bigger, softer, and richer than regular dates, also known as Deglet Noor dates, which are firmer and less sweet. Medjool are my favorite, but you can substitute them with regular ones. Since they’re smaller than Medjool, you may need to add a few extras.
How to Make Date Energy Balls
These chocolate balls come together in a few easy steps. Be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for more detailed instructions.
- Prepare the Walnut Coating: Process a third cup of the walnuts in a food processor until they resemble coarse sand. Transfer them to a small bowl for later.
- Process All the Ingredients: Add the remaining walnuts to the food processor and process until finely ground. Pour in the dates, pumpkin, cocoa powder, salt, and vanilla and process until the ingredients are combined and smooth.
- Form into Balls: Scoop out the mixture and roll it into eight balls the size of a golf ball. Roll each one into the reserved walnuts. Serve them immediately, or store in the freezer or refrigerator.
Date Energy Balls Variations
Once you have the basic date ball recipe down, you can customize these chocolate balls in a variety of ways. Here are a few suggestions.
- Nuts: Swap the walnuts with pecans or almonds.
- Nut Allergies: If you have a nut allergy, you can use hemp seeds or pumpkin seeds.
- Pumpkin: Swap for mashed banana or other fruit puree.
- Dates: Substitute regular dates, but add a few more since they’re smaller than Medjool. Or use prunes instead.
- Cocoa Powder: Sub protein powder for cocoa for extra protein.
- Coconut: Add shredded coconut to the dough.
How to Store Date Chocolate Balls
- Fridge. Store your date energy balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.
- Freezer. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. I recommend flash-freezing on a baking sheet then transfering to a ziploc bag or freezer container, to prevent them from sticking together. To thaw, transfer them to the refrigerator or let them sit on a counter for a bit before eating.
More No-Bake Dessert Recipes You’ll Love
- No-Bake Cheesecake
- Banana Ice Cream (Nice Cream)
- Berry Yogurt Popsicles
- No-Bake Strawberries and Cream Crepe Cake
- Red, White, and Blueberry Trifle
Chocolate Brownie Date Balls
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup walnuts, 2.6 oz total
- 10 pitted Medjool dates
- ¼ cup canned or homemade pumpkin purée
- Pinch sea salt
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, I used Dutch process
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place 1/3 cup of the walnuts in a food processor fitted with a metal blade.
- Process until nuts resemble coarse sand. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
- Add remaining walnuts to the food processor and process until finely ground.
- Add the dates, pumpkin purée, cocoa powder, salt and vanilla extract and continue to process until ingredients are combined and smooth.
- Using a spoon (or your hands), scoop and roll mixture into 8 equal (golf-ball- size) balls.
- Roll each ball in the reserved walnuts and serve immediately or store in the freezer or the fridge.
Last Step:
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Variations:
- Nuts: Swap the walnuts with pecans or almonds.
- Nut Allergies: If you have a nut allergy, you can use hemp seeds or pumpkin seeds.
- Pumpkin: Swap for mashed banana or other fruit puree.
- Dates: Substitute regular dates, but add a few more since they’re smaller than Medjool. Or use prunes instead.
- Cocoa Powder: Sub protein powder for cocoa for extra protein.
- Coconut: Add shredded coconut to the dough.
