Date Energy Balls (No-Bake Recipe)

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Date Energy Balls combine our favorite nuts and dried fruits with the natural sweetness of dates for a delicious no-bake snack we all enjoy.

Cashew Blueberry Date Energy Balls in a bowl.

While we used cashews and blueberries in this batch, you can customize this easy recipe with your favorite dried fruits and nuts.

Your whole family will love this simple treat with no added sugar to satisfy their sweet cravings.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried blueberries – or your favorite dried fruit
  • 1 cup unsalted cashews – or your favorite nuts
  • 1 cup medjool dates – pitted

Equipment

  • Blender or food processor
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Mixing bowl
  • Measuring cups
  • Silicone spatula

By the Numbers: How to Make Date Energy Balls.

Step 1: Decide on Your Ingredients.

The first thing you want to do is decide which dried fruit and nuts you’re using. I used dried blueberries and cashews, but you can get some more ideas below.

Once you’ve decided on your ingredients, make sure the pits have been removed from the dates first, then measure out 1 cup each of nuts, dried fruit and dates.

Cashews, pitted dates and dried blueberries in bowls with blender.

Step 2: Prepare the Ingredients.

After you’ve measured out the blueberries, cashews and pitted dates, it’s time to add them to your food processor or high powered blender. I’m just using a Ninja blender.

Dates, cashews, and dried blueberries in blender pitcher.

Step 3: Blend Up Ingredients.

Now you need to put the lid securely onto your blender, then begin pulsing the mixture for 5-10 seconds at a time until a sticky dough forms.

I recommend using a silicone spatula to scrape the sides of the blender a few times between pulses to make sure all the nuts and fruits get combined into the paste.

As far as the texture goes, that’s up to you. You can keep blending until it’s really smooth or stop right when the paste starts to form and there are still chunky bits in it.

Dates, cashews and blueberries blended into a paste in a blender.

Step 4: Remove Paste from Blender.

Once you’re happy with the consistency of your fruit-date-nut paste, dump it out onto a silicone mat or parchment paper lined baking sheet or sturdy cutting board so you can work with it.

Blueberry Cashew Date paste on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.

Step 4: Create Your Date Balls.

Now it’s time to make your Date Energy Balls. Using your hands, take about 2 teaspoons of the blueberry-cashew-date paste and roll it into little balls (or use a silicone mold to make fun shapes). I find this to be the perfect bite sized portions.

Date energy balls spread out on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.

Step 5: Refrigerate Date Energy Balls Until Firm.

After you’re finished rolling the paste into balls, place the pan into the refrigerator for about an hour to help the paste firm up – the cold really helps with the texture! Once they’ve been chilled, you can enjoy your delicious date energy balls.

Blueberry Cashew Date Energy Balls in a white bowl.

Tips for Making Yummy Date Energy Balls

1. What do dates taste like?

If you haven’t had them before, dates are soft, have a natural sweetness with a caramel-like taste. I love how they melt in your mouth.

2. Best nut / date / fruit combinations.

What you see here is simply a base recipe… you can use any dried fruit or different nuts in this easy snack. If you like a crunchy texture, try using almonds next time. They melt into the mixture a lot less than other nuts.

Some of my favorite combos are:

  • Blueberry Cashew Date
  • Macadamia Pineapple Date (with a pinch of spirulina powder)
  • Cherry Almond Date

3. Tasty add-in ideas.

While I love making this date energy balls recipe with 3 just simple ingredients, you can also add other ingredients for different flavors and textures.

I usually recommend no more than ¼ cup total add-ins per batch. For powders, use no more than a tablespoon. Be careful going to crazy with add-ins or you could end up with some strange flavor combinations.

Some ideas are:

  • Chia seeds
  • Unsweetened coconut flakes
  • Hemp seeds
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Quick oats
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Protein powder
  • Cocoa powder
  • Pinch of salt
  • Dash of vanilla extract

If you’re looking for energy balls with chocolate chips, try our No Bake Peanut Butter Energy Bites recipe.

4. Can you substitute nut butter for nuts?

If you’re hoping to substitute peanut butter or almond butter for the nuts in this recipe, I wouldn’t suggest swapping more than 50% of the nuts for nut butter. The consistency just doesn’t come out the same in my experience.

5. Make energy bars instead!

While I love the shape of balls because they’re easy to pop in your mouth, you can also make bars with this recipe.

To make date energy bars:

  1. Flatten and shape the paste into a square or rectangle and cover with parchment paper or plastic wrap. Use a rolling pin to get the paste flat and smooth.
  2. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until the paste is cold and firm. Remove from the refrigerator and cut into 16 small pieces (or 8 larger pieces). Place a small piece of parchment paper in between each bar to keep them from sticking together.
Blueberry Cashew Date Energy Bars stacked on a white plate.

6. How to store date energy balls?

Store your energy balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. If they get packed in a lunch or a to-go bag, I typically toss an ice pack in there so they stay nice, fresh and firm. They start to soften at room temperature.

7. Where I do my online shopping.

You can get a lot of these pantry ingredients at iHerb like I did. Another place that has awesome pantry items in addition to fresh produce and meat is Misfits Market if you haven’t tried them yet!

Close up of Blueberry Cashew Date Energy Balls in a bowl.

Easy Date Energy Balls Recipe

Learn how to make your own energy balls with your favorite nuts and dried fruits using our simple base recipe.
4.80 from 10 votes
Print Recipe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Chilling Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Recipe Servings: 30

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried blueberries - or your favorite dried fruit
  • 1 cup unsalted cashews - or your favorite nuts
  • 1 cup medjool dates - pitted

Equipment

  • Blender or food processor
  • Baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Mixing bowl
  • Measuring cups
  • Silicone spatula

Instructions

  • The first step is to place the dried blueberries, cashews and pitted dates into your food processor or high powered blender.
    Dates, cashews, and dried blueberries in blender pitcher.
  • Next, place the lid on your blender and pulse the mixture until a sticky dough forms. You'll probably need to scrape the sides of the blender a few times to get a paste to form. You can leave it chunkier or make it smoother, depending upon your preferences.
    Dates, cashews and blueberries blended into a paste in a blender.
  • Scoop the paste out onto a silicone or parchment paper lined cookie sheet or cutting board.
    Blueberry Cashew Date paste on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
  • Shape the blueberry-cashew-date paste into small balls using about 2 teaspoons of paste per bite (or use a silicone mold to make fun shapes).
    Date energy balls spread out on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
  • Refrigerate for about an hour or until the paste is cold and has a firm texture, then your delicious energy balls are ready to enjoy.
    Blueberry Cashew Date Energy Balls in a white bowl.

Nutrition Information Per Serving

Calories: 56kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 102mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 7IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg

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4 thoughts on “Date Energy Balls (No-Bake Recipe)”

  1. I made this recipe today and used a combo of cashews and almonds. Turned out great and they are super delicious! Can’t wait to make again!

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