These Chocolate Coconut Energy Balls are naturally sweetened only with DATES, yet they taste sweet and decadent, similar to an almond joy.
They are the perfect paleo/whole30 friendly afternoon snack, and since they pack a huge nutritional punch, they’ll give you a great burst of energy!
Plus, they’re super easy to make.
If you follow my blog, you know that I’ve done a Whole30 challenge. These were the perfect little morsels to get me through the tough times.
For those of you unfamiliar with the program, the Whole30 is not just a diet. It’s supposed to help you form new habits, train your body to not crave the “bad-for-you” stuff, and hopefully pinpoint exactly what kinds of foods don’t work well with your body.
The Whole30 definitely helped me develop more healthy habits that I’ve continued to follow well past the program!
And these AMAZING energy balls as a midday snack are definitely one habit I can get on board with- I love keeping them in my fridge for a sweet treat without the guilt.
These delicious chocolate coconut energy balls are the perfect edible pick-me-up in the middle of the day, and are 100% Whole30 and Paleo approved.
They are sweet, decadent tasting, and energy boosting. And, they are the perfect healthy thing to contribute to a party or potluck. My toddler also gobbles them up whenever I make them!
I find that the ritual of a midday break/light snack is super beneficial for me and my mental health during the day. Here’s why:
- It helps fight midday hanger. When I get home from a long day at work, or after a day of wrangling my kids while also somehow trying to cook, write blog posts, and take pretty photographs, I’M STARVING. That means going in for the tortilla chips before I even think about making dinner, no matter how quick and easy that dinner is. And don’t even try to stop me. With a snack like these energy balls, I should be able to make it without accidentally snapping at my kids or feeling super stressed.
- It enables a brain break. My brain gets so tired toward the late afternoon. I need a mental break from work. The ritual of taking a break, and sitting down for a fifteen minute break to sip a delicious beverage, munch on these chocolate coconut energy balls, and maybe read my favorite magazine or a few pages from my book is unbelievably rejuvenating during a work day.
This recipe for chocolate coconut energy balls makes 16, so you can stock your fridge, and they are SUPER easy to make.
And this may be a little dangerous to say out loud, but they taste almost exactly like Almond Joy candy bars. Smooth, creamy, chocolatey, coconuty, nutty, and sweet… but only sweetened with dates! That’s right- pure, natural dates.
These little bite-sized morsels really are a nutritional powerhouse to completely satisfy you. All you need is one, and you’re set!
Just add some pecans to your food processor and pulse until roughly chopped. Feel free to use almonds, cashews, or other nuts if you want.
Add chopped, pitted dates, some unsweetened coconut, coconut oil, cocoa powder, a pinch of salt, and just a little bit of water to make it all come together. Turn your food processor on until it is well-mixed and holds together when you press it.
Using a tablespoon measure, roll the mixture into uniform ball shapes and roll in some more unsweetened coconut.
Place on a parchment covered sheet and refrigerate until more solidified (because coconut oil can melt or soften at room temperature, you’ll need to keep these refrigerated so they stay together).
After about thirty minutes, you can transfer the energy balls to a container or plastic bag to keep stored in the fridge.
I also love how versatile this recipe is. Don’t like pecans? Use almonds or walnuts. Nut allergy? Use sunflower seeds. Can’t find dried dates? Try figs.
The key is the consistency. If you watch the recipe video, you’ll see a point in which I squeeze the energy ball mixture together and it stays that way.
You want all the ingredients to be very small, and you want there to be a good liquid to “stuff” ratio so that they hold their shape.
Are you doing a Whole30 challenge? I have an entire archive of paleo and whole30 recipes, or recipes that are easily adaptable to be compliant.
Make sure you check it out!
And if you love these chocolate coconut energy balls, you’ll love this Coconut Granola with Almonds and Cardamom and this Two-Ingredient Vegan Chocolate Banana Ice Cream.
Try out these Gingerbread Energy Balls, too!
Recipe below! Enjoy :-)
Chocolate Coconut Energy Balls with Pecans and Dates
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup pecans
- 15 whole pitted dates roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened coconut divided
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 pinch kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon water (if needed)
Instructions
- Put pecans (1/2 cup) in food processor and pulse until roughly chopped.
- Place 1/4 cup of the shredded coconut in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Add the remaining ingredients except for the 1 tablespoon water to the food processor. Turn food processor on until very well mixed. If mixture seems too dry to stick together, add the water.
- Using a tablespoon measure, spoon out mixture and roll in balls.
- Coat each ball in the reserved 1/4 cup shredded coconut.
- Place on a parchment covered baking sheet and refrigerate for at least thirty minutes, until they harden.
- Store in the fridge in an airtight container or plastic bag for up to two weeks.
Video
Notes
- Make it nut free: Substitute the pecans with sunflower seeds.
- Other substitutions: You can use almonds, walnuts or hazelnuts instead of pecans.
- A note on yield: I got 16 energy balls out of this, but the dates I used were big and the scoop I used was tiny. You may get a different total amount than I did depending on the size of your dates and how big you make them!
- The provided nutrition information does not include any added sodium from seasoning to taste, any optional ingredients, and it does not take brands into account. Feel free to calculate it yourself using this calculator or by adding the recipe to Yummly.
Nutrition
Nutrition Information Disclaimer
The provided nutrition information is my best estimate and does not include any added sodium from seasoning to taste, any optional ingredients, and it does not take brands into account. I use an automatic API to calculate this information. Feel free to calculate it yourself using one of these tools:
Elizabeth Delahunty
Just wondering if you used Madjool dates?
Elizabeth Lindemann
Yes, I did!
Hrelate
I made the chocolate coconut energy balls with pecans and dates recipe at my home, and everyone liked it very much. It has an awesome taste. Keep up the good work!
Elizabeth Lindemann
Thank you!
Lois Doyle
Made up recipe but too wet to roll what should I add to make it stick please.
Elizabeth Lindemann
Hm, you can add more dried fruit or pecans, or you can add a little almond flour or some oats/oat flour to help absorb the liquid! You shouldn’t need much. I’m going to add a part to the recipe that makes the 1 tablespoon water optional, since dried fruit can sometimes have different moisture content than others. Sorry this was frustrating for you, and hope that helps!
Khawaja Saud Masud
Great info! Thank you.
Elizabeth Lindemann
Glad you like them!
Shayanne
Oh, my goodness! These are incredible! I just made a batch tonight with the intention of bringing them to my classmates this weekend. I honestly don’t know that they’re going to make it out there… So. Freaking. Good. Thank your for the recipe!
Elizabeth Lindemann
Yay! So happy you liked them!
Car
These are so good OMG!!! The 6yo I nanny said “they’re so much better than chocolate candy bars! Those are too sweet and these are the best!!”
What higher praise can you get really?
And me the total sugar addict can’t get enough of them!
Elizabeth Lindemann
Oh wow, that IS high praise! So glad you and the kiddo liked them!!
Matt
I am a dude who literally never bakes (I recognize this is not baking, per say) and just got motivated one night. These were excellent. I only wish I hadn’t admitted to my girlfriend that I ate 10 of the 16 balls before she got home.
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked them! Next time make a double batch so you have more for your gf lol!
Val R
These come together so well and easy, they tasted just like the Nomz balls and they’re a fraction of the price, thanks for sharing!
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked them! Thanks :-)
Peter Brown
Loved them
Elizabeth Lindemann
Thanks! So glad!
Carolina Santiago Pio
I really loved this! Thank you for the recipe! It was a huge success here!
Elizabeth Lindemann
Thank you! So glad you liked it!
Amaylah
These were very good but they made only about 10-11, when I followed the recipe exactly. I found I had to really pack them together in order to get them to form balls. Should I be processing them more?
Thanks!
Elizabeth
Glad you liked them! I made mine pretty small- that’s probably why I got more out of the recipe. And yes, processing them a bit more will help them bind together, as well as adding a little more water (just a tad!). Hope that helps!
Caitlin
Thank you Elizabeth! These energy balls are absolutely delicious
Elizabeth
I’m so happy you liked them!
Samantha
What is the amount of protein in these? The macros are not allighnin up right.
Elizabeth
Hi! The recipe card above specifies that these have .7g of protein per energy ball. I use this calculator to estimate nutrition information. But I’m not a nutritionist so feel free to calculate it yourself using that or another nutrition information tool! Hope that helps.
Heather Coburn
Hey Elizabeth,
I love these and make them regularly! I’m wondering if in prep for the holiday season, it is possible to freeze a big batch ahead of time? Have you frozen them before?
Thanks,
Heather
Elizabeth
Great question! I’ve never frozen them but I think it would be fine. So sorry for the delayed response- hope you were still able to make them!
Jeannie
Just came from the health food store with energy balls with the same ingredients.. so I googled the ingredients and come up with your recipe.. can’t wait to make these and on Weight watchers they are 3 its per ball.. I love the simple ingredients and its so easy to make in the food processor.. You saved my day and saved me a lot of money. Thanks so very much. I have added you on Instagram.
Elizabeth
Yay! So happy you like the recipe! :-)
Paula
Delicious :) These are the BEST treat around!
Elizabeth
So happy you like them!
Allison
Delicious! I made them last night during day 17 of my whole30 and they were such a pick me up. My husband, son, and co-workers who are also doing whole30 love them as well!!! Thanks so much!
Elizabeth
Yay! So happy you and the others liked them :-) Good luck with the rest of the whole30!
Luli
These were delicious!! I ate them too quickly though :(
Elizabeth
So glad you liked them! Eating them too quickly is definitely a risk you have to accept when you make these :-)
Jessica Griffin
My thought as I was making them was, “I call BS. There’s no way these have stayed in anyone’s fridge long enough to know they expire after two weeks.” HA! Thanks so much for sharing this!
Elizabeth
Haha! So glad you liked them!
Meg
These are Delicious and satisfied my Girl Scout cookie Samoa craving. I’m on whole 30 and these are the best thing yet!!
Elizabeth
OMG they DO taste like Samoas! I never made the connection. Glad you liked them, good luck with the rest of your Whole30!
Kimberly
Yummo!!! I downloaded this recipe several weeks ago and just got around to whipping up a batch this morning. I’m sorry I didn’t do it sooner. So yummy and rich and not too sweet at all. Just sweet enough and the cocoa was not overpowering. I think two out of three kids will like them for today’s after school snack. My oldest does not like coconut. Thanks for sharing!! :)
Elizabeth
Yay! So happy you liked them :-)
Amy Haggart
I have a very active family that eats on the go often. They loved these balls of yumminess. My daughter said “I really don’t like dates but these are delicious. Thanks for the great recipe.
Elizabeth
SO happy you and your family liked them!