Walnut Date Balls (Paleo, Vegan)

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These walnut date balls require just 3 ingredients, but make for a delicious, decadent dessert. They have a chewy date and walnut filling that's coated in a dark chocolate shell. This simple dessert recipe is paleo, vegan, gluten free and dairy free.

Overhead view of walnut date balls topped with flaked salt.

Okay, I'm squeezing in one last recipe before 2025 comes to an end and guys, it's a GOOD one! These walnut date balls require just 3 simple ingredients (walnuts, dates and chocolate) but they're a complete showstopper.

All you have to do is blend the walnuts and dates together in a food processor, roll the mixture into balls, chill them and then dip them in dark chocolate. You can take them up a notch by adding flavors like vanilla and cinnamon to the filling and topping the balls with a pinch of flaked salt. They're SO easy, and everyone will be highly impressed.

The filling has a chewy, caramel-like texture that's only sweetened with dates. And it pairs perfectly with the dark chocolate shell. The extra salt on top is optional, but brings out more flavor and adds a bit of crunch.

Why You'll Love these Walnut Date Balls

easy to make - simply blend filling ingredients, roll into balls, chill and then dip in melted chocolate.
minimal ingredients - you only need 3 ingredients to make these walnut date balls (although I do give a few optional ones for added flavor).
paleo and vegan - made with healthy, wholesome ingredients you can feel good about.
no-bake - these walnut balls don't require any baking.

Ingredients

The full recipe for these walnut date balls can be found in the recipe card below, but here's an overview of the ingredients you'll need:

dates - I like Medjool dates for this recipe, but any variety will work. Make sure to remove the pits.
walnuts - I used raw walnuts, but you can toast them to bring out more flavor.
cinnamon - optional ingredient, added for flavor
vanilla extract - optional ingredient, added for flavor
dark chocolate - for the outer coating. I recommend a dark chocolate with a cocoa content between 65-85%.
flaked salt - optional topping for the balls.

Ingredients needed to make chocolate walnut date balls.

How to Make Chocolate Walnut Date Balls

You will need a food processor to make the filling for these date balls. It's possible a blender may work, but the filling is pretty sticky, so your best bet is a food processor. Here are the steps:

Soak the dates in hot water for 5 minutes. Then drain the water.

Add all filling ingredients to your food processor and blend.

Roll the filling into balls, about 1 tablespoon in size. Freeze for at least 30 minutes.

Melt the dark chocolate, then dip the chilled fillings in the chocolate.

Optional: drizzle any remaining chocolate over the balls and top with a pinch of flaked salt.

Tips and Tricks

Soften Dates - place the dates in a bowl and soak them in hot water for 5 minutes. This will soften them, making them easier to blend.
Add Flavor - you can keep this a 3 ingredient recipe, or add more flavor in the filling. I chose cinnamon and vanilla, but you can use any variety of spices and extracts. You could even add in a tablespoon of cocoa powder to make the filling chocolate or a spoonful of sprinkles for decoration.
Chill the Filling - freezing the fillings before dipping them in dark chocolate will make this step so much easier! Place the rolled fillings on a lined baking sheet or plate and pop them in the freezer for at least 30 minutes (longer is fine). This helps them keep their form in the warm chocolate and will make the coating set faster.

Storage

These walnut balls are best kept in an airtight container or baggie in the fridge or freezer. They'll last about a month in the fridge, or up to 6 months in the freezer. The filling will harden a little in the freezer, but softens up quickly at room temperature.

You can keep these at room temperature for sharing or gifting, as they won't spoil quickly.

FAQ

What kind of dates work best for date balls?

I like Medjool dates best because they tend to have a chewier, softer texture. That being said, any date variety will work. If your dates are tough/dried out, then soak them in a bowl of hot water to soften them.

Do date balls need to be refrigerated?

You can keep them out at room temperature for serving or gifting, but since these are homemade treats, I suggest storing them in the fridge or freezer.

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