Peanut Butter Date Balls
My peanut butter date balls are a tasty, protein packed snack made with simple and wholesome ingredients. I love that these date energy balls are naturally sweetened, vegan, gluten free, and easy to take anywhere. I can also swap the peanut butter for any nut or seed butter, which makes them easy to customize in many different ways. The best part is that I can have them ready in just 1 hour.
Servings: 45 date balls
Calories: 40.9kcal
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats make sure to use gluten-free for a gluten-free option
- 1 cup pitted dates chopped
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder or cacao powder
- ½ cup natural peanut butter or almond or sunflower butter
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Place the oats in the bowl of a food processor and process until finely ground.
- Add dates, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, almond butter, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon and process until finely ground and slightly sticking together (it will form a loose batter).
- Transfer batter to a large bowl.
- Using a small cookie scoop, take about 2-3 teaspoons of the dough and press firmly for the mixture to stick together. To form a ball shape, you'll need to both press it between your hands and then slightly roll it into little cocoa balls. Do not start by rolling the batter in your hands to form a ball, it will fall apart. First make sure to press it firmly with your fingers/hands until it binds together, kind of like if you were playing with play-dough.
- Place remaining cocoa powder in a shallow bowl. Roll truffles in cocoa powder and chill until ready to serve (I chilled mine for about one hour).
Notes
- My #1 Secret Tip for making these peanut butter date balls is to roll them right away while the dough is still soft and easy to handle. I noticed early on that if I let the mixture sit too long, it starts to firm up and becomes harder to press and shape. Now I scoop and roll as soon as the dough comes together, usually with my kids standing nearby asking for a taste. Working with it right away keeps the balls smooth, helps everything bind nicely, and saves me time.
- If The Mixture Is Too Dry: I add a little water, about 1 tablespoon at a time, and blend again. I repeat until the dough holds together when pressed.
- If The Mixture Is Too Wet: I sprinkle in a small amount of dry ingredients like cocoa powder, starting with 1 teaspoon. I blend and check the texture before adding more.
- Compress Energy Balls Tightly: I press the peanut butter protein balls firmly, as if I were playing with play-dough, before shaping them into balls.
Nutrition
Serving: 1date ball | Calories: 40.9kcal | Protein: 1.1g | Fat: 1.7g | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g