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Our 4 ingredient date balls are filled with sweet dates, coconut and pecans. They are an easy-to-make healthy vegan snack!

Date balls piled in a small serving dish.
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Just 4 Ingredients!

Our kids LOVE to make these quick and easy date balls – they are the perfect afternoon snack or hearty breakfast.

To make these healthy date balls, you need only a food processor and four ingredients! They are small, but they’re packed with nutritious ingredients.

They make a perfect not-too-sweet bite for an afternoon snack. Plus, you won’t feel guilty giving in to that sweet craving with this treat. Dates work as natural sweeteners in this recipe.

These date balls are so easy to make and come together in minutes, AND they store really well for later snacking!! If you love these, you’ll also love our Energy Balls and No Bake Energy Bites.

WHY WE LOVE IT:

  • Just 4 ingredients. These pleasantly sweet morsels come together quickly with few ingredients.
  • Healthy snack. They are a healthy afternoon snack, and a great way to curb that sweet craving.
  • Great for later. They store really well, great for later snacking!
Dates and nuts in the food processor.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups pecans – walnuts or almonds
  • 1 cup sweetened coconut – or unsweetened
  • 2 cups medjool dates pitted – or deglet dates. Look for dates that are shiny. They should feel fleshy and can be wrinkly. If the dates are really dried out soak them in water for a couple of minutes. Drain and pat dry before blending.
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – add extra flavor using cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, or cloves

Add Extras

To keep the right ingredient ratios reduce the pecan or coconut by the same amount added. Try mini chocolate chips, toffee pieces, chia seed or flax seeds, quick oats, whole or chopped raisins or cranberries.

How to Make Date Balls

  1. CHOP. Add 2 cups pecans and 1 cup coconut to your food processor and process until chopped and fine.
  2. MIX. Add 2 cups pitted dates and 1 teaspoon vanilla and process again until the mixture is crumbly and sticky. You don’t want to do this for too long, or it will become a little oily.
  3. CHILL. Use a large cookie scoop to scoop out the mixture and then roll into a ball and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet.
    • Refrigerate for an hour and then store in a Tupperware in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Get the Right Texture

If the mixture is too wet add more chopped nuts, coconut flakes, or oats. If the mixture is too crumbly add more dates, nut butter or a bit of honey. 

Date balls stacked on each other in small white bowl.
5 from 11 votes

Date Balls

By: Lil’ Luna
Our 4 ingredient date balls are filled with sweet dates, coconut and pecans. They are an easy-to-make healthy vegan snack!
Servings: 16
Prep: 10 minutes
Refrigerating Time: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 2 cups pecans
  • 1 cup sweetened coconut
  • 2 cups medjool dates, pitted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions 

  • Add the pecans and coconut to the food processor and process until chopped and fine.
  • Add the pitted dates and vanilla and process again until the mixture is crumbly and sticky. Don't do this for too long, or it will become a little oily.
  • Use a large cookie scoop to scoop out the mixture and then roll into a ball and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for an hour and then store in a Tupperware in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Notes

Troubleshooting the consistency. If the mixture is too wet add more chopped nuts, coconut flakes, or oats. If the mixture is too crumbly add more dates, some nut butter or even a bit of honey. 
Store the date balls in the fridge for up to 10 days. Separate layers with wax or parchment paper so they don’t stick together.
Freeze. Place the balls in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash-freeze. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer safe Ziploc and freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 161kcal, Carbohydrates: 18g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Sodium: 15mg, Potassium: 198mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 15g, Vitamin A: 34IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 20mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

How to store date balls?

Store the date balls in the fridge for up to 10 days. Separate layers with wax or parchment paper so they don’t stick together.

How to freeze?

Place the balls in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash-freeze. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer safe Ziploc and freeze for up to 3 months.

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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5 from 11 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




6 Comments

  1. Kristina says:

    5 stars
    My SIL has date trees and gets a huge crop. I’ll have to see if she’ll share some so I can make these. They look yummy.

  2. Amy Huntley says:

    5 stars
    These are such a great healthy snack!

    1. LilLunaTeam says:

      I’m so happy you liked them!

  3. Natalie says:

    5 stars
    I had some dates & decided to try these. I thought they were so good!! I don’t feel guilty eating a lot of them either! I love the coconut flavor!

  4. Joy says:

    5 stars
    Recently tried these & actually really liked them! The nuts & coconut add a nice crunch to the dates. They are a great, healthy snack.

  5. Olivia says:

    5 stars
    A great healthy snack that’s easy to make.