These almond date balls have a chewy center that's made with almonds and dates and coated in an optional dark chocolate coating. These balls are great for making ahead of time and storing in the fridge or freezer for a quick snack or dessert. This recipe is paleo, vegan and oat free!
I can't stop making simple desserts like these almond date balls! They're just so satisfying and I love that I only need a handful of ingredients and a few minutes to throw them together.
These chocolate almond date balls have a chewy center that's made with almonds, dates and salt. They're coated in dark chocolate, but you can make them without. The filling is made in a food processor, then rolled into balls. If you choose to dip them in chocolate you'll want to freeze them first (just makes the process easier). And that's it! They're so easy to make and their taste is phenomenal.
Why You'll Love these Almond Date Balls
- 3 ingredients required - all you need is almonds, dates and a pinch of salt. If you want to coat them in chocolate you can, but that's optional.
- paleo and vegan - made with simple, wholesome ingredients
- no bake - these bites do not need to be baked. Just blend the filling and roll it into balls.
- healthy but satisfying - they taste like a caramel, but are made with healthy, whole food ingredients.
Ingredients
The full recipe for these almond date balls can be found in the recipe card below, but here's an overview of the ingredients you'll need:
- almonds - I used raw almonds, but a dry roasted will work.
- dates - I used Medjool dates, but any will do. Make sure your dates are soft, not dried out.
- salt - brings out more flavor
- dark chocolate - I used Pascha Chocolate's new paleo chocolate chips that are sweetened with coconut sugar.
How to Make Almond Date Balls
The filling for these almond date balls are made in a food processor. You can choose to dip them in dark chocolate or go without.
- Place the almonds, dates and salt in a food processor.
- Blend, stopping every so often to scrape down the sides. This will take 3-5 minutes.
- Roll the mixture into balls, each about 1 tablespoon in size.
- Enjoy as-is or freeze for 30 minutes and then dip in dark chocolate.
Tips and Tricks
- Use soft, tender dates - the filling will turn out better if your dates are soft.
- Really blend the filling - the filling takes time to come together. Blend it, scrape down the sides and blend more. It should eventually blend into a ball and have a caramel-like texture.
Storage
These almond date bites are best kept in an airtight container or baggie in the fridge or freezer. They are best eaten within one month if stored in the fridge, 6 months in the freezer. The filling slightly hardens in the freezer, but is still easy to eat without defrosting.
FAQ
This recipe makes about 16 balls.
Yes, any type of dates will work, just make sure they're soft and tender, not dried out.
More Recipes You'll Love
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Almond Date Balls (Paleo, Vegan)
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: about 16 balls 1x
Description
These almond date balls have a chewy caramel-like filling that's coated in dark chocolate. They're paleo and vegan friendly.
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 1 cup pitted Medjool dates (about 13)
- pinch of salt
- ¾ cup dark chocolate chips (optional for topping)
Instructions
- Place the almonds, pitted dates and salt in a food processor.
- Blend, stopping every so often to scrape down the sides, until the mixture forms a ball of dough in the food processor. It will have a thick, sticky, caramel-like texture. This process takes about 3-5 minutes.
- Roll the mixture into balls, each about 1 tablespoon in size and place on a lined baking sheet.
- Optional for chocolate coating: Place the balls in the freezer and freeze for at least 30 minutes.
- Melt the dark chocolate in a small dish, then dip the balls into the chocolate and place back on the lined baking sheet to set. You can drizzle remaining chocolate over the balls for decoration.
- Store in an airtight container or baggie in the fridge or freezer.
Katie
Hope you all love these almond date balls as much as we do!