Peanut Butter Date Balls

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Peanut butter date balls are a delicious protein-packed snack made with wholesome ingredients. These delicious date energy balls are naturally sweetened, vegan, gluten-free, and portable! Bonus: you can swap the peanut butter for any other nut or seed butter and customize this in lots of different ways!

Mildly sweet, easy to bite into, and perfect as a light breakfast or afternoon pick-me-up, these peanut energy balls with dates or “date balls” are delicate in flavor and filled with indulgent flavors that will really pull you in.

I love making protein ball recipes, especially healthy chocolate ones! With no added sugar, you can feel good about enjoying these sweet treats.

This great recipe for date energy balls is vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free. If you’re looking for some plant-based treats to serve the next time you go to an event or have a special occasion planned, then remember this yummy energy ball recipe. 

Perfect for all ages, these healthy date balls will please those with the pickiest palates! Who can resist chocolate peanut butter balls? The warm spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg really stand out and create an irresistible balance that is both comforting and satisfying.

👩🏽‍🍳 Why You’ll Love These Peanut Butter Date Balls

• Wholesome Ingredients And Nutrient Dense: Good news – these peanut butter and date protein balls have no added sugar and are loaded with protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates, making them a great snack for anyone from children to busy adults to athletes training for their next big event.
• Full Of Flavor: Tender and delicious, these chocolate date peanut butter balls made with flavorful ingredients like chocolate, vanilla, creamy peanut butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sweet Medjool dates.They’re like a healthy alternative to chocolate peanut butter cups! These are an especially good snack if you’re having a sweet craving.
• Great For On The Go: Throw these chocolate date peanut butter balls in a container or reusable baggy and take them to work, on road trips, or anywhere! They’re a fantastic movie night snack too.
• Fun And Easy To Make: Kids will love helping to make these peanut butter balls, but it’s a fun recipe for adults too! Another great thing: you don’t have to fire up the oven in warmer weather to make these no bake energy bites!

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🥘 Ingredients

These date and peanut butter balls are loaded with good stuff, combining simple ingredients into tasty treats that make a great healthy snack or dessert. Grab the ingredients from your local grocery store and get ready to make this super easy recipe for the best bliss balls! See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for nutritional information including daily values.

• Oats: We used rolled oats (AKA old fashioned oats) as one of the main ingredients for this recipe. Oats contain a lot of healthy minerals and benefits and help monitor glucose levels, and they also contain antioxidants and loads of fiber making them the perfect options for these healthy little gems we call snacks! Eating oats on a daily basis in some form is great for your health.
• Cocoa Powder: Cocoa powder is filled with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory benefits, and is believed to reduce the risk for diabetes. These date bites are the ultimate healthy treats!
• Spices: Comforting spices such as a little bit of cinnamon and nutmeg intertwine to create a duo of yummy and comforting flavors. You can definitely call these peanut butter date bliss balls!
• Pitted Dates: Chopped Medjool dates are needed for these healthy date balls. You’ll want dried dates, not fresh dates. Dates are naturally high in antioxidants, fiber, vitamins C, and B-complex. Consuming dates is a great way to squeeze some extra nutrients into your lifestyle, especially if you’re eating a low-calorie diet!
• Peanut Butter: Creamy and natural peanut butter are what we used because of their content in good fats and protein. I prefer smooth peanut butter for peanut butter bites. Make sure to get no salt added if you’re trying to consume less sodium for medical reasons.
• Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla extract is used for natural sweetness in this recipe.

🍲 Ingredient Substitutions

• Oats: I have not tried quick oats with this recipe, but it should work.
• Cocoa Powder: Cocoa powder is used in this recipe, but you could even use cacao powder (I like to use the kind from Trader Joe’s). 
• Spices: You can use different spices to create a different flavor profile if you’d like. I recommend trying this date balls recipe as written the first time. Next time you make it you can experiment!
• Pitted Dates: While other dried dates (such as deglet dates) may work well in this recipe, I haven’t tested any substitutions. Keep in mind that medjool dates are not only usually easier to find, but they’re larger and tend to be sweeter than other dried dates, making them the perfect choice for date bliss balls! In place of dates, you can use dried blueberries, unsweetened coconut (combined with more oats and nut butter), ground flaxseed (again, combined with more oats and nut butter), or raisins in these peanut butter balls.
• Peanut Butter: Feel free to sub a different nut butter or seed butter if needed. Sunflower butter or creamy almond butter are great options. Or experiment with crunchy peanut butter.
• Vanilla Extract: You can swap a different extract for a different flavor if you’d like. Chocolate extract is a nice option.
• Other Additions: You could add other ingredients into this recipe like hemp seeds (AKA hemp hearts), chia seeds (or sub flax by adding ground flax seed), coconut flakes / shredded coconut, mini chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips, coconut oil, or you could add a splash of maple syrup to make these sweeter if you have a big sweet tooth.

🔪 How To Make Peanut Butter Date Balls

These peanut protein balls with dates are going to become one of your new favorite recipes. There’s no rigorous process, no huge mess to clean up, and they don’t take long at all to make. Chocolate peanut butter energy bites make such a perfect snack! Here is how to make this date peanut butter balls recipe:

Chop The Ingredients

Chop The Dates & Grind The Oats: Use a sharp knife to chop room temperature pitted dates into small pieces. Place the oats in the food processor and grind until finely ground.

Add The Rest Of The Ingredients: Next, add the chopped dates, cocoa powder, peanut butter, vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Next, process until the batter sticks together.

Form The Date Balls

Roll The Dough: Transfer the dough into a large bowl. Using a small cookie scoop (which holds about 2–3 teaspoons of dough), scoop out the little balls and roll them between your hands, pressing firmly until they form a smooth ball shape.

Dust With Cocoa Powder: Roll the balls in a bowl of cocoa powder, then place on a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Chill The Date Balls

Place In Refrigerator: It’s that easy friends! Place these chocolate peanut butter date balls into the refrigerator for about an hour. Enjoy this sweet treat straight out of the fridge!

💭 Expert Tips

• If The Mixture Is Too Dry: If the mixture won’t come together (too dry or crumbly), add a little water (like a tablespoon; warm water or cold water are both fine) and blend again to see if that fixes it. Repeat until you have a dough that sticks together when pressed.
• If The Mixture Is Too Wet: If the dough is too sticky or mushy, add a little bit of any of the dry ingredients (like a little more cocoa powder). Start with a teaspoon and blend, then see if that helps.
• Don’t Let The Dough Sit: Roll the peanut butter chocolate energy bites immediately, as the dough will be harder to work with (and bind) as it sits.
• Compress Energy Balls Tightly: Press the peanut butter protein balls firmly as if you were playing with play-dough before you try to shape them into balls.
• Yield: This healthy recipe will make 30 peanut butter energy balls if you are using 3 teaspoons per piece; and if you are using 2 teaspoons per piece, you will end up with 45 date balls.
• Double Batch: If your food processor bowl is big enough, you can make a double batch of these peanut butter date balls quite easily. You’ll just have more to roll but you’ll end up with enough for a party!
• Add More Chocolate: You could even add a chocolate drizzle to this recipe by using melted chocolate (use dairy-free chocolate to keep this recipe vegan, and melted dark chocolate would taste great)! Or dip the refrigerated energy bites into the melted chocolate and place on a parchment paper lined baking tray. Refrigerate or freeze until the chocolate hardens.
• Peanut Butter Date Balls For Kids: Yes, kids will love this date balls recipe – it will become one of their favorite treats! A great option for hungry tots and children who do not have nut allergies. For those with nut allergies, use sunflower butter instead of peanut butter!

📖 Variations 

• Almond Butter Date Balls: Use creamy almond butter instead of peanut butter.
• Sunflower Butter Date Balls: Use creamy sunflower butter instead of peanut butter. This makes a great addition to a school lunch box (since many schools have a no tree nut policy).
• Date Balls With Nuts: Fold chopped nuts into the date ball mixture. Walnuts would be a great option since they’re packed with omega 3 fatty acids and an integral part of a heart-healthy diet.
• More Protein: Gently fold in sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or even protein powder for an additional serving of protein!
• Make Energy Bars: Instead of rolling the dough into date balls, gently spread the dough into a square or rectangular pan. Next, refrigerate until the dough is set and cut into granola bars!

🍽 Serving Suggestions

Here are a few of my favorite ways to enjoy these date peanut butter balls:

• With A Glass Of Your Favorite Milk: These peanut butter date bites are great with a glass of soy milk or whatever your favorite milk might be.
• As Part Of A Healthy Snack Plate: Add a few of these peanut butter and date balls to your next snack plate with some sliced apples, fresh berries, or any seasonal fruit.
• In Your Work Lunch: Throw these in your lunch bag for work as a healthy dessert! You’ll love having a sweet treat to get you through the rest of the work day.
• As A Protein Pick-Me-Up At The Gym: Bring a few of these bites with you to the gym and grab a bite from your locker mid-workout to keep up your strength. Or use them as a quick recovery snack after you get home!

🙌 Dietary Adaptations

• Gluten-Free Option: This date bites recipe is already gluten-free, but make sure to buy gluten-free certified oats as sometimes these can come into contact with wheat during processing.
• Nut-Free Option: Use sunflower butter instead of peanut butter to keep this recipe nut-free. If you or someone you love has a nut allergy, make sure to buy ingredients that are produced in nut-free facilities.

🫙 Storage Directions

Here is how to store and keep these peanut butter date balls.

• Refrigerating: Store these peanut butter energy balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Freezing: Place the peanut butter balls with dates in a freezer-safe bag or container and place in the freezer for up to six months.

❓Recipe FAQs

🥣 More Healthy Snack Recipes!

• Chocolate Almond Milk Pudding
• Chocolate Banana Ice Cream
• Peanut Butter Bliss Balls
• Vegan Rice Krispie Treats
• Pumpkin Protein Balls
• Sesame Tahini Cookies
• Vegan Protein Balls
• Low Sugar Desserts

📋 Recipe Card