Description
These Chocolate Coconut Date Balls are a delicious, no-bake vegan and gluten-free treat perfect for a healthy snack or dessert. Made with raw cashews, walnuts, dates, cocoa powder, and shredded coconut, they are naturally sweetened and packed with nutrients. Rolled in coconut flakes, they offer a chewy, chocolatey flavor with a tropical twist, making them a wholesome indulgence that requires no baking.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3/4 cup raw cashews
- 1/2 cup raw walnuts
- 1 cup pitted dates
- 1/2 cup unsweetened dried coconut
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder (I like Hershey’s Cocoa 100% Natural)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Rolling
- 1/2 cup unsweetened dried coconut
Instructions
- Soften Dates: Place the pitted dates in a small bowl and cover with boiling water. Let them soak for 5 minutes to soften.
- Process Nuts: While the dates are soaking, add the walnuts and cashews to a food processor. Process until they break down completely into a fine crumb.
- Add Dates: Drain the soaked dates well and add them to the food processor. Continue processing until the mixture is well combined and sticky.
- Mix Remaining Ingredients: Add the 1/2 cup unsweetened dried coconut, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and salt. Process again until the mixture is crumbly but cohesive, scraping down the sides as necessary.
- Form Balls: Transfer the chocolate mixture to a bowl. Roll into approximately 1-inch diameter balls. The mixture may appear oily due to nut oils, which is normal. This recipe makes about 18 balls.
- Roll in Coconut: Roll each ball in the remaining 1/2 cup of unsweetened dried coconut to coat evenly.
- Chill: Place the rolled balls in the fridge to chill and firm up for about 30 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Store the date balls in a ziplock bag or sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
- To freeze, place balls on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored frozen for up to 3 months.
- If preferred, melt chocolate and roll the balls in melted chocolate instead of coconut; chill in the fridge before rolling to help coat evenly. See vegan truffle recipes for details.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ball (approx. 25g)
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 35mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
