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    Home » Recipes » Snack

    Energy Bites with Dates

    BY: Kimberly Grabinski PUBLISHED: 14 Feb, '22 UPDATED: 6 Feb, '23 18 Comments

    RecipePrintComments
    4.50 from 6 votes

    These no-bake energy balls with dates are easy to make and a great energy source full of healthy essential fats and proteins. Date energy balls are the perfect snack for on-the-go sports enthusiasts and take minutes to prepare.

    Energy balls with dates featured

    If you love my energy bites recipe. Try one of these fantastic healthy flaxseed recipes or try one of my easy dessert recipes with few ingredients that include my orange cake recipe.

    Contents
    • 🌟 Why this recipe works
    • 🍽 Key Ingredients
    • 🔪 How to make
    • 💨 Benefits of Prunes
    • Recipe Variations
    • 🙋 Frequently Asked Questions
    • 🧊 Storage 
    • 🍳 Related Snack Recipes
    • 👪 Serving Size
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🌟 Why this recipe works

    Date energy balls are the easiest high-protein snack to make when you want a boost of energy with just 5 ingredients, and you can mix and match the flavors to your liking with peanut butter, mini chocolate chips, chia seeds, or shredded coconut.

    There's no added sugar, flour, egg, dairy, or baking involved with energy date balls, just simple ingredients blended and shaped, making this perfect healthy snack edible for all types of foodies.

    When it comes to texture, the prunes and dates make them juicy and add chewiness, while the almonds hold the ingredients together to make them soft, and the vanilla gives them flavor.

    Since this energy balls recipe is made with natural ingredients, they will store for ages refrigerated, which is ideal for snacking during the week or when you need energy bites before workouts. Check my collection of easy sweet snacks recipes to make anytime!

    Any home cook can make them as long as you have a food processor. Without one or a hand blender, it is nearly impossible to create the consistency that makes the energy balls form.

    🍽 Key Ingredients

    Making energy balls is easy. All you need is 5 ingredients, a food processor, and 10 minutes to prepare them.

    Pitted dates - Use Medjool dates if you can because they're bigger, softer, and have a slight caramel taste.

    Prunes - Prunes add a wonderful sweetness to energy bites.

    Almonds - Nuts help bind the date energy balls to form easier and keep them juicy.

    Swaps

    Nuts

    Apart from using almonds to bind the energy balls, you can use almond butter as an equal 1:1 substitute without changing the flavor

    🔪 How to make

    Date energy balls take minutes to prepare in the food processor, and they taste so delicious. Learn how to make them with my easy step-by-step instructions and helpful top tips.

    Preparations

    1. Combine all the ingredients in a food processor and blend until thoroughly combined and it forms a sticky ball.
    2. Remove mixture to a bowl, take small pieces of the mixture, and roll into small balls with your hands. You should make approximately 16 to 18 balls, depending on the size.
    3. Chill for 15 minutes or so until hardened slightly and enjoy.

    💭 Cooking tips

    Dry mixture

    If the mixture seems a bit too dry, add a spoon of water, and continue to puree.

    Sweetness

    The natural sugars from the dates and prunes provide enough sweetness for these energy balls. But If you want to give them more sweetness, add a tablespoon of maple syrup or honey to the mixture.

    💨 Benefits of Prunes

    Studies have shown that prunes can be a very beneficial part of a healthy diet. They contain nutrients that support a healthy body.

    • Bone Health: Prunes may promote healthy bones. Dr. Bahram H. Arjmandi of Florida State University says, "Dried plums (prunes) are the most bone-friendly fruit that I have seen in decades. They are nature's solution to maintaining good bone health." Dr. Arjmandi hypothesizes that the many compounds and nutrients contained in prunes, such as vitamin K, potassium, copper and boron, likely work synergistically to have this positive effect. Additional research is currently being conducted to learn more about prunes and bone health.
    • Potassium: Potassium may help prevent hypertension and stroke and play a role in helping support cell energy by regulating fluid balance, nerve impulses and muscle contraction to increase energy.
    • Fiber: A diet containing foods with fiber can replace fats and sweets, and contributes to heart health.
    • Regularity: A fiber rich diet may contribute to maintaining a consistent digestive tract which helps lead to improved digestive health.
    energy balls with dates

    Recipe Variations

    Vanilla & date energy balls are perfect snack cuisine and versatile with the flavor combinations like these three delicious variations.

    Vanilla & coconut bites

    I love all things coconut, so it naturally made sense to make a variation with coconut.

    Coconut not only tastes fantastic, but it contains lots of moisture which helps these energy bars stay juicy. Add ½ cup of shredded coconut to the mixture and omit the prunes to make these vanilla and coconut energy bars.

    Peanut butter energy balls

    Peanuts are the base for most healthy snack recipes because it binds all the other ingredients together, and there are many nut choices, from cashew butter, walnut butter, pistachio butter, or almond butter.

    Choose your nut butter, and add half a cup to the blender for a delicious, buttery energy bite.

    Chocolate date energy balls

    Upgrade your vanilla & date energy balls with the addition 2 tablespoon of cocoa powder. Nothing beats the taste of chocolate mixed with sweet medjool dates.

    It's a winning combination that makes my family devour these chocolate energy balls rapidly.

    If you like apple dessert I recommend you to check my easy apple dessert recipes with few ingredients.

    🙋 Frequently Asked Questions

    Are energy balls healthy?

    Yes, healthy energy balls are full of good carbs, protein, fiber, and healthy fats needed to maintain sustained energy when performing physical activities like running or weight lifting. These bite-sized treats are designed as a source of energy and not as a dessert or meal.

    Should I soak the almonds?

    You don't have to soak almonds to eat them. Soaking almonds improves digestion and nutrients, plus they become softer, which creates a smoother consistency.

    🧊 Storage 

    Date energy balls are perfect for eating before and after workouts as an energy source and can be stored for several days without losing flavor or texture.

    Fridge - You can store energy balls in an airtight container for up to two weeks in the fridge.

    Room temperature - You can store date energy balls in an airtight container and put them in a cupboard for up to a week.

    Freezer - To freeze them, wrap each ball in plastic wrap and put them inside a freezer bag. They will keep in the freezer for up to 6 months.

    🍳 Related Snack Recipes

    When it comes to easy, delicious and affordable snack recipes, I've got you covered.

    • Blanched almonds
      Blanched almonds - How to Blanch Almonds
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      No Bake Coconut Bars with Dates
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    Looking for cookie recipes? Check out my collection of easy cookie recipes with few ingredients.

    👪 Serving Size

    This date energy balls recipe provides you with 9 servings if 2 balls is a portion, and you can make approximately 18 balls. The recipe is easy to scale if you want to double or triple the quantity to make more like I do most of the time.

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    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.

    Try one of my quick, easy, and affordable snack recipes for your next family meal! And if you have any questions, I'm here to help!

    📋 Recipe

    energy balls with dates and prunes

    Energy Balls with Dates

    These no-bake energy balls with dates are easy to make and a great energy source full of healthy essential fats and proteins. Date energy balls are the perfect snack for on-the-go sports enthusiasts and take minutes to prepare.
    4.50 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved! Share
    Course: Snack
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 2 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 12 minutes
    Servings: 9
    Calories: 71kcal
    Author: Kim Grabinski

    Ingredients
     

    • ½ cup dates - 6-8 dates
    • ½ cup prunes or diced prunes
    • ½ cup raw almonds
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt

    Instructions

    • Combine all ingredients in a food processor and puree until combined and sticking together.
    • If the mixture seems a bit too dry, add water and continue to puree. You probably won't need it.
    • Remove mixture from bowl and take small pieces of the mixture and roll into small balls. Makes approx. 16-18 bite sized balls.
    • Chill until eaten.

    Notes

    Dry mixture
    If the mixture seems a bit too dry, add a spoon of water, and continue to puree.
    Sweetness
    The natural sugars from the dates and prunes provide enough sweetness for these energy balls. But If you want to give them more sweetness, add a tablespoon of maple syrup or honey to the mixture.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 71kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 33mg | Potassium: 111mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Sue

      October 11, 2017 at 5:58 am

      5 stars
      Not much effort for a really good result.

      Reply
    2. Sarh S

      June 09, 2015 at 11:28 am

      3 stars
      I'm not a fan of prunes, but my middle child has tummy issues. I'll keep these in mind for him next time he has some trouble, maybe with transforming them and adding more flavors he'll be more likely to take to the prunes.

      Reply
    3. Sara P. (@SensiblySara)

      February 05, 2015 at 8:41 am

      I don't care for prunes, but I think I am going to try them again because I didn't realize they had SUCH great health benefits. Your Vanilla Plum Energy Bites look like something my kids could scarf down!

      Reply
    4. Chrystal @ YUM eating

      February 02, 2015 at 12:53 pm

      I love plums and prunes and have started getting into energy bites. These sound amazing and super duper healthy!

      Reply
    5. Lynndee

      February 02, 2015 at 9:25 am

      Good to know about the benefits of prunes. I've never used them in a snack recipe. I do remember munching on just prunes when I was little.

      Reply
    6. Rosey

      February 01, 2015 at 4:25 pm

      Those little energy bites look great to me. I haven't tried plums in years!

      Reply
    7. Kori

      February 01, 2015 at 11:29 am

      Those do sound pretty good and I can't even say that I'm a huge fan of prunes. But I'd give those a try.

      Reply
    8. Courtney

      February 01, 2015 at 7:50 am

      Ahhhhh I am not a prune fan at all... But my daughter loves them!! I will have to give this recipe a try for her!

      Reply
    9. R U S S

      January 31, 2015 at 7:14 am

      5 stars
      I'm guilty. I'm one of them folks who haven't really appreciated prunes, but I've heard of all its benefits especially from my Mom - she loves prunes! But I think I might give it a try with this recipe because it doesn't look too prune-y.

      Reply
    10. Fi Ní Neachtáin

      January 31, 2015 at 3:17 am

      Oh I could do with some of these at the moment, I need the energy! I don't think I've ever had prunes before, I have to give them a try.

      Reply
    11. Myrabev

      January 31, 2015 at 12:28 am

      I love prunes but not prune juice weirdly enough, the energy bites look delicious, thanks for the recipe

      Reply
    12. tammileetips

      January 30, 2015 at 11:28 pm

      These look energy bites look amazing!! I love having things like this on hand to keep me going through the day.

      Reply
    13. Liz Mays

      January 30, 2015 at 11:04 pm

      Yes, I love prunes, and I'll eat them straight from the bag. However, I like them in cereal, oatmeal or in desserts too.

      Reply
    14. Kathy

      January 30, 2015 at 6:01 pm

      I'm not a big fan of prunes..but if I put them in a recipe then I'll most likely eat them. I try to get healthy foods in by whipping up a recipe, and this one sure looks tasty!

      Reply
    15. Diane /ElGeorgia

      January 30, 2015 at 3:27 pm

      Wow! I really need to make this recipe. we love prunes in this house but im still not a prune juice fan.

      Reply
    16. Michelle de Guzman

      January 30, 2015 at 12:43 pm

      4 stars
      Growing up I remember my Grandmother always giving us prunes. To this day I love them and they remind me of winter days hanging out with her.

      Reply
    17. Krystal

      January 30, 2015 at 11:16 am

      5 stars
      Those look really great! I love prunes. They taste good, and they're good for you. I'm going to try this recipe.

      Reply
    18. Robin Rue (@massholemommy)

      January 28, 2015 at 7:05 pm

      Those sounds so good. I forget about prunes sometimes.

      Reply

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    Kim @ 730 Sage Street

    Hi, I'm Kim!

    Creating easy recipes with everyday ingredients since 2008. I believe you can make quality homemade recipes even if you are short on time and budget-conscious. You just need to dive in and learn as you go!

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