Chocolate Coconut Energy Balls
Enjoy a guilt-free chocolate fix with these quick and easy Chocolate Coconut Energy Balls, a naturally sweetened, gluten-free, and dairy-free snack that’s super satisfying.
Chocolate Coconut Energy Bites
These Chocolate Coconut Energy Balls have a rich and fudge-y flavor that tastes like a splurge, but they’re made with wholesome, natural ingredients, making them a sweet snack you can feel good about.
I love this simple recipe because it’s easy to make and can be kept for days in the fridge or freezer. Plus, they taste amazing and kids will eat them like dessert!
These healthy little bites are gluten free, dairy free, and contain no refined sugar!
Ingredients
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- 1 1/2 cups dried pitted dates
- 1 1/4 cups chopped walnuts
- 5 tablespoons raw cacao powder (or unsweetened cocoa powder)
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup (or honey)
- 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons warm water (if needed)
Helpful Kitchen Tools
Instructions
This is an easy no-bake, no-cook recipe. Once you’ve assembled the balls, they will need about 30 minutes to chill and set in the freezer.
To make the batter:
- Place the dates in a bowl of warm water for twenty minutes to soften (this makes them easier to blend!). While they’re soaking, grind the walnuts in a food processor. Leave a few chunks for texture.
- Add the dates to a food processor and rough chop until combined (but a few walnut chunks still remain).
- If mixture is too thick and clumps up in the food processor, add 1-2 tablespoons warm water slowly (if needed) to keep blending. You may need to pause and scrape down the sides. The mixture will be very sticky.
- Scrape your date/walnut batter into a large mixing bowl.
- Add to bowl: 5 TB raw cacao powder, 1/3 cup shredded coconut (make sure you still have about 2/3 cup set aside for rolling later) and 3 TB maple syrup. Mix with a fork until everything is combined and “wet looking”. The mixture should be sticky.
Prep your workspace:
Line a large plate or cutting board with parchment paper. Pour the rest (about 2/3 cup) of the shredded coconut onto another plate. Place coconut oil in a small bowl next to your work area.
How to roll the protein balls:
- Grease your hands with a bit of coconut oil, grab some of the date mixture and roll it into a ball (about one inch in diameter). The coconut oil helps prevent the dough from sticking to your hands.
- Once rolled, place the ball into the plate of coconut and sprinkle/roll it all about pressing down to make sure it sticks. Place the coconut covered ball onto the parchment paper.
- Repeat until you run out of batter (makes 18-20 balls).
- Place the protein balls in the freezer to set for thirty minutes.
Video Demo:
Prep Tips
- Storage – Store in an airtight container in the fridge to munch on and for quick grab and go snacks! You can also keep them in the freezer in a zip-top freezer bag. Since dates don’t freeze completely, they’re safe to eat straight from the freezer!
- Add Protein – Each little bite has a gram of healthy walnut protein, but you can supplement this with a Tablespoon of your favorite protein powder for an extra boost! I’d recommend dissolving the powder in one of the liquid ingredients before mixing into the batter — either the maple syrup or the coconut oil (which can be liquid at room temperature).
More Healthy Snack Recipes To Try
- Berry Frozen Yogurt Bites
- Watermelon Fries
- Chocolate Hummus
- Green Gummy Snacks
- Healthy Homemade Granola
- Peanut Butter Granola Bars
Chocolate Coconut Energy Balls Recipe (Printable Recipe Card)
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Chocolate Coconut Energy Balls
Enjoy a guilt-free chocolate fix with these quick and easy Chocolate Coconut Energy Balls, a naturally sweetened, gluten-free, and dairy-free snack that's super satisfying.
Servings: 20 balls
Calories: 118kcal
Cost: $10
Equipment
- Food Processor
- Mixing bowl
- Baking sheet
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups dried dates pitted
- 1 1/4 cups chopped walnuts
- 5 tablespoons raw cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup or honey
- 1 cup shredded coconut unsweetened
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 2 tablespoons warm water if needed
Instructions
To make the Batter:
- Place the dates in a bowl of warm water for twenty minutes to soften. While they’re soaking, grind the walnuts in a food processor. Leave a few chunks for texture.
- Add the dates to a food processor and rough chop until combined (but a few walnut chunks still remain).
- If mixture is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons warm water slowly and keep blending. You may need to pause and scrape down the sides. The mixture will be very sticky.
- Scrape your date/walnut batter into a large mixing bowl.
- Add to bowl: 5 TB raw cacao powder, 1/4 cup + 2 TB shredded coconut (make sure you still have about 2/3 cup set aside for rolling later) and 3 TB maple syrup. Mix with a fork until everything is combined and “wet looking”. The mixture should be sticky.
To Make the Protein Balls:
- Line a large plate or cutting board with parchment paper. Pour the rest (about 2/3 cup) of the shredded coconut onto another plate. Place coconut oil in a small bowl next to your work area.
- Grease your hands with a bit of coconut oil, grab some of the date mixture and roll it into a ball (about one inch in diameter).
- Once rolled, place the ball into the plate of coconut and sprinkle/roll it all about pressing down to make sure it sticks. Place the coconut covered ball onto the parchment paper.
- Repeat until you run out of batter (makes 18-20 balls).
- Allow to set in freezer for 20-30 minutes. Store in an airtight container.
Video
Notes
Note: Nutrition information is a rough estimate only; actual values will vary based on the exact ingredients used and amount of recipe prepared.
Prep Tips:
- Storage – Place the protein balls in the freezer to set for thirty minutes. Store in an airtight container in the fridge to munch on and for quick grab and go snacks! You can also keep them in the freezer in a zip-top freezer bag. Since dates don’t freeze completely, they’re safe to eat straight from the freezer!
- Add Protein – Each little bite has a gram of healthy walnut protein, but you can supplement this with a Tablespoon of your favorite protein powder for an extra boost! I’d recommend dissolving the powder in one of the liquid ingredients before mixing into the batter — either the maple syrup or the coconut oil (which can be liquid at room temperature).
Nutrition
Calories: 118kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 12mg | Potassium: 145mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 0.6mg
Pin Our Coconut Covered Chocolate Energy Balls on Pinterest:
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Stacey is the creator of The Soccer Mom Blog, a Houston Texas mom blog that focuses on positive living for women and families. She loves to share real food recipes, money-saving tips, parenting encouragement, kids activities, DIY tutorials, home hacks, fitness, and so much more! To get to know Stacey even better, click here.
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Do you think you could use a different nut to walnuts?
Hi Paula – I think you could try other varieties of nuts in this recipe – cashews would probably taste wonderful too!
These tast sssooooo GOOD!! Thanks for sharing the recipe?
Awesome! Glad you loved the recipe – thank you for letting me know!
Hi Stacey, is there an alternative to nuts?
Why are these called protein balls when they have 1g of protein per serve?
Wow!!! Your recipes ROCK!!! I can’t wait to make them!!! Thank you sooo much!!!
Thank you Kelly! Hope you love them!
How are these protein balls when there is only 1g of protein and 14g carb? Calling them protein balls is a little misleading.
Hi I am having trouble saving this recipe to pinterest and or pocket. They told me to contact you if I keep having trouble. Hope you can fix it from your end! Thanks