These date and nut energy balls are the BEST healthy snack! Sticky, sweet, and studded with chocolate chips, they taste like little balls of cookie dough.
These no-bake energy balls are my favorite healthy snack. Sticky, sweet, and studded with chocolate chips, they taste like little balls of cookie dough, but they’re made with simple, wholesome ingredients. Dates bind them together, oats add fiber, and walnuts and almond butter pack them with protein and healthy fats. They’re super-quick and easy to make in the food processor, and they keep for weeks in the freezer or fridge.
At least they do in theory. If you love these energy balls as much as we do, there’s no way they’ll stick around that long. Between speedy breakfasts and on-the-go snacks, you’ll polish them off in a few days flat!
Energy Balls Recipe Ingredients
This energy bites recipe calls for 8 basic ingredients:
- Medjool dates – They make these energy balls deliciously sweet without any added sugar! In addition, their sticky texture helps bind the balls together.
- Oat flour – For fiber and protein. I like to make my own out of old-fashioned or whole rolled oats. Find my easy method here!
- Walnuts – They add rich, earthy flavor and healthy fats.
- Almond butter – Like the dates, the almond butter helps bind these energy bites together. Make sure to use really smooth, well-stirred almond butter for this recipe. The dry, stiff stuff at the bottom of the jar won’t work well here.
- Vanilla extract – For warm, cookie-like depth of flavor.
- Water – For extra moisture. A few tablespoons make these date energy balls perfectly cohesive.
- Mini chocolate chips – Use dairy-free chips to make this recipe vegan. I like the Enjoy Life brand.
- And sea salt – To make all the flavors pop!
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
How to Make No-Bake Energy Balls
These yummy date balls are SO easy to make! Here’s what you need to do:
First, check the dates. They should be soft, sticky, and pliable. If they feel stiff or dry, soak them in hot water for 10 minutes.
Next, pulse the ingredients together. Place the soft, pitted dates in a food processor along with the oat flour, almond butter, walnuts, vanilla, water, and salt. Pulse until the mixture sticks together when pinched.
If it feels dry, pulse a bit longer, until the mixture starts to form a ball in the food processor. If it still feels dry, pulse in more water, 1 teaspoon at a time, until it feels cohesive and sticky.
Then, form the balls. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and fold in the chocolate chips. Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to portion out the dough. Roll the scoops into balls…and that’s it!
Devour these date and nut energy balls right away, or store them in the fridge for up to a week. For longer storage, keep them in the freezer. They thaw quickly at room temperature. Grab them for easy, on-the-go breakfasts or quick healthy snacks. Enjoy!
More Favorite Healthy Snacks
If you love these no-bake energy balls, try one of these healthy snack recipes next:
- Homemade Granola Bars
- Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
- Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
- Chia Seed Pudding
- Healthy Banana Muffins
- Zucchini Muffins
- Best Hummus
- Or any of these 47 Best Healthy Snacks!
Energy Balls
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups oat flour
- 1 cup walnuts
- 1/3 cup well-stirred creamy natural almond butter*
- 10 soft Medjool dates**
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a food processor, place the oat flour, walnuts, almond butter, dates, vanilla, water, and salt. Pulse until the mixture sticks together when pinched. If it’s too crumbly, pulse in more water, 1 teaspoon at a time.
- Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in the chocolate chips. Use a 2-tablespoon cookie scoop to scoop and roll into balls.
- Store extra energy balls in the fridge. They also freeze well. To thaw, leave them at room temperature until soft.
I wanted to know the same thing as Dave: What’s the nutritional info on these?
have nutritional info on these? thx
Your recipes look and sound yummy. I only wish you had the nutritional information with them. I am a diabetic so I have to watch AND count carbs. The snack bites with dates, oats, etc. make me drool looking at them!!!
Hi. I’m allergic to almonds and wonder if other butters. like walnut, cashew or tigernut would work as a substitute. Thanks!
yep! Any of those should work fine.
These were a hit! Delicious, healthy post-workout snack, and perfect consistency by adding a little extra water until they were just right. Thank you!
Hi Valerie, I’m so glad you loved them!
These taste great but mine came out a bit dry. I didn’t have almond butter so I used peanut butter instead so that might have something to do with it. Otherwise, do you know what I could have done wrong?
Hi Aria, nut butters can vary in consistency – I’d just add a touch of water until the mixture comes together. Hope that helps!
Thanks so much 🙂
These were so easy! I love them and keep them on hand for a sweet craving. I imagine that I’m eating cookie dough and it takes away my ice cream cravings!
I’m so glad you love them!
I’m a private chef and one of my clients shared this recipe with me and they are so delicious! Now, I make them every few weeks and even will keep some in the fridge at home for a quick snack. They are a favorite all around! Thanks so much for all your wonderful recipes!
I’m so glad you’re loving them!
Hi Danielle, I’m sorry these didn’t work for you – the recipe is meant to be made in a food processor. The mixture is to dry (like what you’re describing), to work in a blender.