These Chocolate Date Balls are a delectable blend of dark chocolate and luscious date paste, creating heavenly bite-sized delights. With just 3 to 4 ingredients and no refined sugar and no cooking, you can make these easy, simple sweet snacks!
You don't need an occasion to indulge in these naturally sweetened chocolate date balls. These make a great option for gift-giving holidays.
I wanted to make nut-free sweet balls with store-bought date paste and chocolate for my chocolate-loving soul. These can be served as a dessert or a snack with a cup of coffee. I stored them in a jar on my coffee table, and we slowly snacked on them through the week while watching The Diplomat. Is it a dessert or snack - mind game, I tell ya!
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🛒 Ingredients
Let me tell you, this is a basic chocolate date ball recipe without any nuts, seeds or oats. I wanted to keep this purely chocolate and dates with a bit of flavouring to bring out the best of both. The mixture comes together while kneading with a touch of coconut oil. Does this sound like brownie date balls made in a sugar-free kitchen?
- date paste - I have used store-bought date paste. If you cannot source, make your own. I have included a recipe guide below.
- dark chocolate chips
- cocoa powder
- vanilla extract
- salt
- coconut oil
Refer to the Recipe Card at the bottom of this page for a complete list of ingredients and quantities.
🔪 Step-by-step Instructions
You need a good food processor or grinder to process the dark chocolate chips to a fine texture with a bit of granules. The tiny chocolate bits will add a burst of flavour when you start chewing. bliss. I couldn't capture the images of the processing steps, but these images will give you an idea of the required texture.
Reserve a tablespoon of semi-ground chocolate chips for rolling in the end. Add all the ingredients - date paste, ground dark chocolate chips, cocoa powder, salt and vanilla extract. Keep some coconut oil by the side to help you knead.
Mix with your hands to gently incorporate the coconut oil. Knead until you achieve a smooth and tight dough that maintains its shape. At this point, you can taste and adjust the flavourings.
Now, divide the dough into equal-sized balls. I like to keep them bite-sized, so I made 16 to 18 balls. May have eaten two in the process. (We all do that, right?)
Next, roll each chocolate date ball between your palms to make it smooth. Lastly, roll them in cocoa powder or ground chocolate until coated. Serve in a platter or store in a jar.
Note: Please note that if you used cocoa powder to coat the chocolate date balls, they won't stay dry for long. The cocoa powder will be absorbed, and in a few hours, there won't be much difference between the two.
📝Variations
As I mentioned, this is a simple recipe with minimal but not limited ingredients. The possibilities of variations are endless.
- flavourings- Apart from vanilla, you can add more flavours that pair well with dates and chocolate. I read chilli pairs well with chocolate, so I really want to try it next time. You can also try ground ginger, as I did in the Date syrup granola recipe.
- dried fruits, nuts or seeds: Try my reader's favourite recipe for energy balls.
- Indulgent truffles - Make these richer and decadent by dunking them in melted chocolate. Pipe some melted white chocolate for a sweeter snack.
- Coconut flakes: Coat the balls with coconut flakes, as we know chocolate cocount are pair made in Bounty heaven.
- peanut butter: Might I suggest piping some creamy peanut butter over these balls? They will look and taste great!
🍽 Equipment
You only need a food processor or a mixie grinder to process the chocolate. You will also need it if you are making your own date paste. Always use the dry ingredients before the wet.
❄️Storage
Choose an airtight container to store the chocolate date balls. A plastic or glass jar with a tight-fitting lid works well. Make sure the container is clean and dry before using it. Store the container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. You don't have to refrigerate.
👩🏽🍳Chocolate Date Balls Pro Tips
To easily coat the date balls with cocoa powder or ground chocolate without handling it too much, add one to the bowl and shake in a circular motion, aiming to coat. This method will guarantee less product usage and even coating.
Alternatively, you can add the powder to a cake baking pan and place all the date balls in it. Shake the pan on the counter until the date balls are evenly coated.
Looking for other sweet snacks like this? Try these:
Sweet Snacks
- Rava Laddu Recipe using Semolina Flour (No Coconut, No Milk)
- Banana Bread Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Kerala Plum Cake Recipe
- Osmania Biscuits Recipe
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📖 Recipe Card
Chocolate Date Balls
Ingredients
- 200 grams date paste, (approx ¾ to 1 cup)
- 100 grams bittersweet chocolate, (approx ¾ to 1 cup)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon powder, (optional)
- a pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Add the 100 grams bittersweet chocolate to a food processor or grinder and pulse until they turn to grainy dust. Reserve 1 to 2 tablespoon for coating in the end. If you are making your own date paste (see notes) use the same food processor without washing to process the soaked and drained dates to paste.
- To a large bowl, add the 200 grams date paste, ground chocolate chips, 2 tablespoon cocoa powder, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, a pinch of salt and ¼ teaspoon cinnamon powder (if using). Mix everything together using hands and 1 tablespoon coconut oil until incorporated. The dough should not be sticky nor dry with cracks. If sticky, add cocoa powder and if dry, add coconut oil.
- Divide the dough into 15 to 20 equal sized balls. Smooth each one by rolling between your palms.
- Roll each date ball in a bowl of reserved ground chocolate chips or cocoa powder. You can do this one by one or dump all in a shallow cake pan and shake to coat.
- Serve immediately. Store in clean and dry airtight container on counter. These last for several days if stored properly. Avoid wet hands or spoons.
Notes
- Place 2 cups of tightly packed pitted dates into a bowl and cover them with warm water just enought to barely cover. Keep the bowl covered for 30 minutes or until the dates are softened.
- You can use any variety of dates, such as Medjool or Deglet Noor. Drain the dates and transfer them to a food processor.
- Process the dates until smooth and thick. You may need to scrape down the sides of the food processor a few times during the process.
- Transfer the content using rubber spatula and use it to make these sweet chocolate balls.
Famidha Ashraf says
These little bites are such a go-to for me when I need something sweet, quick, and wholesome...perfect for snacking, sharing, or even gifting during the festive season. I’d love to hear how your version turned out.