A healthy and great alternative to sugar-packed energy bars, these Date Energy Balls are super quick and easy to make. The good news is that these date energy balls only require 7 ingredients.
On top of that, they have no added sugar or dairy. You can also make it vegan by using vegan chocolate. In addition, they are also gluten-free because of the gluten-free oats used.
Moreover, they are the perfect sweets during Ramadan at Suhoor. They are hassle-free and include many indulging flavors, whether pistachios, cranberries, coconut, or sesame seeds.
A Burst of Colors
Why Use Dates?
What is great about dates is that it provides the energy balls with the necessary sweetness without adding any sugar. It binds the oats and nut butter all together.
Dates also provide energy that can help kickstart your day. These date energy balls are very convenient and easy to make.
Medjool date is a type of date that is unique for its chewy and rich texture. This helps form those date energy balls. These dates are then soaked in hot water to ease the blending process.
Balls of Happiness
Why You Will Love these Date Energy Balls
It is tailored to every taste with many varieties of flavors to add to it. On top of that, it is very quick and easy and takes about 10 minutes of prep time. You just mix dates, rolled oats, cinnamon, nut butter, dark chocolate, and flaxseed. And that’s it!
These Energy Dates are Great on the Go Snack
These date balls are such a great addition when you are rushing and in a hurry. You can literally just pop them in your lunch box and go. They are a great afternoon snack when you are craving something sweet, yet they fall within the healthy range.
I have Dry Dates, What do I do?
If you have dates that are too old which makes them dry, it is hard for them to blend into the mixture. In that case, soaking dates in hot water for 10 minutes would help soften them. After soaking, drain them and pat them dry. You can then add them to the mixture, and they will blend more smoothly.
Pick One of these Great Energy Date Balls
Tips to Ace Your Date Energy Balls
You should go for a big food processor for this recipe. After all, dates require a lot of energy to blend with the other ingredients. Smaller food processors would not work for this recipe.
You can use date paste instead of whole dates.
Roast your nuts before you coat the date balls with them. This removes moisture from nuts and makes them crunchy and less chewy.
If your date energy balls are crumbly and not holding tighter, add some water to the mixture. Adding to that, it can be due to using old dates that have less moisture in them. As dates age, they lose water and become harder and drier. Gradually add a teaspoon and see how the mixture holds together.
Avoid having your date balls stick to your hands by adding a bit of water before you form them into balls. Make sure to blend very well using the food processor so all of the ingredients are well incorporated into the mixture.
A Perfect Welcoming Treat!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
These date energy balls should be stored in an odorless airtight container if they are to be eaten in the next few days. However, you can freeze them as well. They can last for three months in the freezer. The longer they stay in the freezer, the more they lose their flavor.
Yes, it is. Having these date energy balls fresh is the best way to go. You can enjoy them with any flavor of your choosing. Plus, it is best to have these balls that might be covered with nuts like pistachios which will not taste as good if not eaten fresh.
Of course, the sky is the limit with these date energy balls. You can add your preferred flavors to them. You can dip them in chocolate, whether it is white chocolate or dark chocolate. Be creative with your flavors, many additions would go with dates.
Yes, you can add the nut butter you prefer. Although you should keep in mind that some of these nut butter contains salt which can make them a bit salty. Some are chunky, so if you like a bit of a crunch to your energy balls, then go for it!
For dried fruit, it is best to go for a sugar-free option. The date energy recipe is already healthy without any added sugar because it is naturally sweetened by them. There is an option for dried fruits without any added sugar at the grocery store.
Rolled with Love!
List of Ingredients
Here are the best ingredients to make date energy balls:
Pitted Medjool dates
Gluten-free rolled oats
Cinnamon
Cardamom
Nut butter of choice
Dark chocolate chunks
Flaxseed or chia
For Toppings:
Chopped Pistachios
Dried Cranberries
Shredded Coconut
Toasted sesame seeds
A Companion to Coffee
Steps to Prep
Start by soaking the pitted dates in hot water for 10 minutes to soften them. Once soften, discard all the excess water and pat dry.
Then, add to a food processor and process until smooth paste forms.
Add the nut butter of choice to the oats, chia or flaxseeds, and spices and process until well combined.
Next, remove and add the finely chopped dark chocolate, mix and shape into balls. Wetting the hands slightly helps smoothen the date energy balls.
After that, dip them into your favorite toppings such as coconuts, pistachios, cranberry, and sesame.
Place on a parchment paper lined plate and put it in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm before serving.
Finally, keep covered in the fridge for optimal use.
Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth!
Recipes You Must Try:
Mushabak Halabi (Middle Eastern Funnel Cakes)
Qatayef Asafiri (Middle Eastern Cream-Filled Pancakes)
Nescafe Cake (Ice Box Coffee Cake)
Layali Lubnan (Lebanese Nights Dessert)
Middle Eastern Rice Pudding (Riz Bi Haleeb)
If you’ve tried this recipe, don’t forget to rate it and leave a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience. You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Energy Date Balls
Ingredients
- 2 cups pitted medjool dates (20-22 pieces)
- ⅔ cup gluten free rolled oats
- ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- 2 tablespoons nut butter of choice
- ¼ cup dark chocolate chunks chopped small
- 2 tablespoons chia or flaxseed (optional)
For Toppings
- pistachios chopped or silvered
- dried Cranberries chopped
- coconut shredded
- sesame seeds toasted
Instructions
- Soak the pitted dates in hot water for 10 minutes to soften them. Once soften, discard all the excess water and pat dry.
- Add to a food processor and process until a smooth paste forms.
- Add the nut butter of choice to the oats, chia or flaxseeds and spices and process until well combined.
- Remove and add in the dark chocolate chopped finely.
- Mix and shape into balls. Wetting the hands slightly helps smoothen the date energy balls.
- Dip them into your favorite topping such as coconuts, pistachios, cranberry, and sesame.
- Place on aparchment paper lined plate and put it in the freezer for 30 minutes to firm before serving.
- Keep covered in the fridge for optimal use. You can use date paste instead of wholedates.
Notes
- If you do not want to waste whole dates, use date paste and just add ingredients and then mix by hand.
- Avoid having your date balls stick to your hands by adding a bit of water before you form them into balls.
- Make sure to blend very well using the food processor so all of the ingredients are well incorporated into the mixture.
I absolutely love thesethe perfect amount of space sweetness and flavor. I’m a very active person and these really help as a snack to keep my energy up! I also made these as a snack for my boyfriend after coming home from a overseas trip 🤗 Very easy to make!