Date Energy Balls

Date energy balls are real! These are nutritious, easy to make, and delicious than you think. My version is a bit modified to make it more kid-friendly, as you can see, and colorful – just for Halloween. Presenting my nut-based, dates energy balls. 

I came across the thing “Medjool dates” a few years ago, and I totally fell for it. The dates we usually get in the market are not so fleshy or sweet. Medjool dates are really soft, naturally sweet, and so so good. If you have ever tasted a Larabar, then you know what am talking about. The entire bar is made of up just cashews and dates. My dates energy balls are kind of the same.

I have used a mixture of unsalted roasted nuts for this recipe. Walnuts, almonds, and a variety of nuts processed together with a cup-full of fleshy and sweet dates. Because these are made for kids, I have added some cocoa powder to it. Unsweetened and raw cocoa powder and some cocoa nibs. But that’s totally optional because the energy balls even without any additives are very very flavorful.

Halloween is impending and just like every year, I am making a healthy treat for my kids and their friends. Although I love this awesome festival, costumes, and trick-or-treating, I hate that my kids overeat candies on this day. Therefore, I make some vegan apple monsters and many other homemade recipes like this healthy cauliflower queso, nuts and seeds crackers, and some kid-friendly rainbow falafels. These foods are nutritious and keep their little tummies full for hours and certainly, control their temptation to binge eat candies. 

Recipe of Dates Energy Balls:

The process is simple. You will need pitted dates and some mixed nuts for this recipe. I would say avoid using other varieties of the dates for the energy balls and use Medjool dates only. However, if you don’t find or don’t want to use the Medjool ones, then use pitted California dates for this recipe. 

I also suggest using a food processor for this recipe. A high-speed blender will also work great.

Another way to shape the energy balls is by using a knife to cut out bars. Spread the mixture on a flat baking sheet and refrigerate for a few hours. Cut them into bars once they are chilled.

How to Make Date Energy Balls?

Here are the ingredient list and the method to make date energy balls and dates-nuts monsters.

Ingredients:

3 cups of mixed nuts – unsalted, roasted almonds + walnuts, 2 cups of Medjool dates – pitted and soft variety, 2 tablespoon of cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon of chocolate morsels

Decorate:

2 tablespoon of peanut butter or any nut butter of choice, ¼ cup of purple or green sprinkles, 20 white chocolate morsels, And, Black gel food color

Method:

Add nuts and cocoa powder to a food processor. Process till the nuts are fine and look well processed. Avoid overprocessing as nuts may release oil and make the whole recipe go wrong. Once the nuts look minced, add dates and process again. After a minute of processing, the mixture will look doughy. Take a spoonful of the mixture and squeeze it in your palm. If it holds its shape, then the mixture is ready for the next step.

Use a tablespoon to divide the mixture into equal parts and then squeeze the dough and roll between your palms to make a ball. Use the same method to make energy balls out of all dough portions. Store these in an airtight container for a month in the refrigerator. 

How to make energy ball monsters:

• To make these cute, little, kid-friendly monsters, you will need 10-12 energy balls.
• 2 tablespoon of peanut or almond butter, colorful sprinkles – pink, green or purple, white chocolate morsels, and black food color. 

• Take each date energy ball and dip one end in the peanut butter.
• Now roll the ball on the purple sprinkles till it looks like what’s shown in the picture.
• Take one or two white chocolate chips and gently press onto the energy ball.
• Use the food coloring pen to create an eyeball on the chocolate morsel.
• Your dates and nuts monsters are ready. Serve these at room temperature or store them in the refrigerator for a week. 

📖 Recipe

Are Date Rolls Healthy?

Nut-based date energy balls or rolls are healthy snack choices for those looking for a high-fiber snack. Dates are naturally potassium rich and have a number of health benefits. Read more about it here.