Looking for a healthy snack that will keep you energized throughout the day? Look no further than coconut almond date balls! This recipe is nutritious, easy to follow, and (best of all) delicious. The coconut and almonds provide satiating fats, the dates add sweetness and fiber, and protein powder is used to help boost the protein content. Give this recipe a try today!
Ingredients
Here’s a photo of everything you’ll need to make this recipe, along with selected ingredient notes.
- Chocolate protein powder – You can use either a whey protein powder or a plant-based protein powder for this recipe.
- Shredded coconut – I prefer using unsweetened shredded coconut in this recipe as it eliminates the added sugar in the sweetened version. That said, feel free to use sweetened if that’s what you’ve got on hand!
- Dates – You can typically find bags of pitted dates near the dried fruit section at your grocery store. You want whole pitted dates for this recipe, not dried chopped dates.
Step by Step Instructions
You’ll find the full recipe with ingredient amounts at the bottom of this post, but here’s a helpful overview with photos.
Start by processing the almonds in a small food processor cup until they’re broken down into a coarse almond meal.
Next, add the dates, protein powder, half of the coconut, chocolate chips, salt, and water to the food processor cup. Process again until the mixture comes together and is a rollable texture.
Place the remaining coconut on a plate or in a bowl. Roll the mixture into balls, then roll it in the remaining shredded coconut.
Refrigerate and enjoy! Pop one out whenever you need a delicious snack, or eat a few for a last-minute breakfast when you’re running short on time.
Recipe FAQ
Here are some common questions that may come up as you’re preparing this recipe:
Store the energy balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
If you don’t like dates, golden raisins work well as a substitute.
Yes, you can freeze them in an airtight container or ziptop bag for up to 3 months (for best quality). When you’re ready to enjoy one, you can thaw it at room temperature for about 20 minutes, or you can pop one in the microwave for about 15 seconds.
Nutrition Benefits
Each of these energy balls packs in a nice blend of satiating fats, healthy carbohydrates to fuel exercise, and muscle-repairing protein. These are a great option for active women who are looking for a little sweet treat mid-afternoon!
In addition to the balanced macronutrients, here are a few additional highlights:
- Provides fiber – Each ball provides 2.5 grams of fiber, essential for digestive health. According to research, almost all Americans (95%!) fall short on their fiber intake, so it’s great to work towards including more in your diet.
- Contains magnesium – One ball provides 6% of your daily magnesium needs. While they’re not particularly high in this nutrient, every little bit helps meet your needs! Magnesium is particularly important for active women, as it helps with energy production and may play a role in exercise recovery.
- Good source of Vitamin E – This vitamin acts as an antioxidant in the body, helping protect the cells from free radical damage. Since intense exercise can cause oxidative stress, it’s important to have a diet that includes antioxidants to balance this out. One energy ball has 13% of your daily needs.
- Contains additional antioxidants – Both coconut and dates have been found to contain a variety of antioxidants, beneficial for the reasons mentioned above.
More Energy Ball Recipes
Here are some other delicious energy balls that you may enjoy:
- Apple peanut butter energy balls
- Pumpkin energy balls
- Hungarian cookie energy balls
- Chocolate coffee energy balls
- Lemon energy balls
- Chocolate cherry energy balls
I hope you love these coconut almond date balls! If you get a chance to try them, feel free to leave a recipe rating or comment below.
Coconut Almond Date Balls
Ingredients
- ¾ cup raw almonds
- 1 cup pitted dates
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder (or vanilla protein powder)
- ¼ cup shredded unsweetened coconut divided in half
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips (or regular chocolate chips)
- ¼ tsp salt
- 3 tbsp water
Instructions
- Add the almonds to a food processor cup (mini processors work great for this). Process until the almonds form a coarse almond meal, about 30 seconds.
- Add the dates, protein powder, 2 tablespoons of the shredded coconut, chocolate chips, salt, and water to the food processor cup with the almonds. Process again until the mixture is well combined and starts clumping together.
- Place the remaining 2 tablespoons of shredded coconut in a bowl or on a plate.
- Roll the energy ball mixture into balls, then roll in the extra coconut to coat.
- Refrigerate and enjoy. You can eat these as soon as they’re done, but I find they taste better after a few hours of refrigeration.
Notes
- If the mixture is not sticky and rollable after processing, add another 1-2 tablespoons of water.
- You can use both whey protein or plant-based protein powders for this recipe.
Nutrition
Share: What’s your favorite kind of energy ball? If you tried this recipe, what did you think?
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