Chocolate Brownie Date Balls Recipe

Irresistible Chocolate Brownie Date Balls Recipe for Snack Lovers

Chocolate brownie date balls emerge as a delightful treat that combines rich, indulgent flavors with wholesome ingredients.

These bite-sized morsels pack a powerful punch of natural sweetness and decadent chocolate goodness.

No baking required means you can whip up this simple snack in minutes.

Dates provide a luscious caramel-like base that binds the ingredients perfectly together.

Nuts and cocoa powder contribute depth and complexity to each delectable sphere.

The recipe reimagines basic pantry staples into an irresistible energy-boosting snack that satisfies sweet cravings without guilt.

Quick to assemble and impossible to resist, these chocolate brownie date balls offer a nutritious alternative to traditional desserts.

How to Blend and Shape Brownie-Style Date Balls

Step 1: Prepare Walnut Coating

Grab your food processor and pulse walnuts until they resemble grainy sand. Transfer the ground walnuts to a small bowl, setting them aside for later coating. This crunchy layer will add amazing texture to your delightful treats.

Step 2: Create Delicious Mixture

Toss remaining walnuts into the food processor and grind finely. Add ingredients to create magic:
  • Medjool dates
  • Pumpkin purée
  • Cocoa powder
  • Sea salt
  • Vanilla extract

Blend everything until smooth and sticky. The mixture should hold together perfectly when squeezed.

Step 3: Shape Tasty Morsels

Scoop the mixture using a spoon or clean hands. Roll into 8 golf-ball sized portions with gentle pressure. Aim for consistent size to ensure even coating and cooking.

Step 4: Coat with Crunchy Goodness

Roll each ball in the reserved ground walnut mixture. Ensure complete coverage by gently pressing nuts onto the surface. This step transforms your treats from simple to spectacular.

Step 5: Store and Enjoy

Place balls on a serving plate or storage container. They’ll keep in the refrigerator for one week or freeze for extended enjoyment. Pro tip: Let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving for optimal texture.

Kitchen Wisdom:

Dates Selection: Medjool dates work best, but other varieties can work. Soak harder dates in warm water for 10 minutes to soften.

Moisture Magic: Pumpkin purée adds incredible richness. No pumpkin? Try mashed sweet potato or applesauce.

Flavor Boost: Toast walnuts before grinding for deeper, nuttier flavor.

Serving Suggestions:

Perfect for afternoon pick-me-ups, pre-workout energy, or sweet dessert cravings. Pair with coffee or herbal tea for a truly indulgent moment. These bite-sized treats will become your new obsession!

Nutrition Bonus:

Packed with natural sweetness, healthy fats, and protein. A guilt-free chocolate experience that satisfies and nourishes.

Tips for Achieving the Right Texture Without Baking

  • Soften Dates Perfectly: Soak dates in warm water for 10 minutes if they're not Medjool, ensuring a smooth, creamy mixture that blends easily.
  • Enhance Nutty Flavor: Toast walnuts in a dry skillet before grinding to unlock deeper, richer nutty notes and add complexity to the coating.
  • Achieve Ideal Texture: Use a light touch when rolling balls to prevent compressing the mixture too tightly, keeping them soft and fudgy.
  • Customize Coating Options: Experiment with alternative coatings like shredded coconut, cocoa powder, or crushed pistachios for variety and excitement.
  • Store for Maximum Freshness: Keep date balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain their texture and prevent them from drying out, lasting up to a week.

Storage Tips for Keeping Date Balls Fresh and Portable

  • Refrigerate: Seal the date balls in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Keep them separated by parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  • Freeze: Pack the balls in a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. They'll maintain peak quality for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before enjoying.
  • Revive Texture: If the date balls become slightly dry, briefly roll them between your palms to restore moisture and softness. The natural oils from your hands will help rehydrate the exterior.

Pairing Ideas for Snacks or Healthy Dessert Spreads

  • Brew a Rich Coffee Companion: Pair these decadent chocolate brownie date balls with a robust espresso or smooth cold brew to complement their deep, fudgy chocolate notes and enhance the nutty walnut coating.
  • Create a Creamy Dairy Contrast: Serve alongside a chilled glass of almond milk or a creamy vanilla yogurt to balance the intense chocolate flavor and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the dense, sweet texture.
  • Elevate with Herbal Tea Harmony: Match these energy balls with a warming chai tea or a smooth rooibos blend to bring out the subtle warmth of the pumpkin and add a gentle spice dimension to the chocolatey treat.
  • Design a Nutty Wine Pairing: Enjoy with a glass of tawny port or a sweet dessert wine to highlight the walnut coating and create a luxurious after-dinner indulgence that brings out the rich, complex flavors of the date balls.

Flavor Add-Ins to Shake Up the Chocolate Base

  • Nutty Chocolate Almond Fusion: Swap walnuts with almonds for a different nutty profile, using almond butter or ground almonds in the mixture and coating for a rich, crunchy texture.
  • Coconut Chocolate Dream: Replace walnut coating with shredded coconut and add a touch of coconut extract to enhance the tropical flavor, creating a decadent and exotic version of the original recipe.
  • Espresso Power Balls: Mix in instant espresso powder or finely ground coffee to the date mixture, providing a bold caffeine kick and deeper chocolate undertones for an energy-boosting snack.
  • Berry Chocolate Bliss: Incorporate dried raspberry or cherry pieces into the date mixture, adding a tangy fruit element that complements the rich chocolate flavor and creates a more complex taste experience.

Chocolate Brownie Date Balls Are Rich, Chewy, and Naturally Sweet

  • Indulge in Chocolate Magic: These date balls deliver an intense chocolate experience with a fudgy, brownie-like texture that melts in your mouth, satisfying even the most serious chocolate lovers.
  • Nutrition Packed Powerhouse: Packed with natural sweetness from dates, healthy fats from walnuts, and rich cocoa, these energy balls provide a nutrient-dense snack that fuels your body while tasting like a decadent dessert.
  • Quick and Effortless Creation: Using just a food processor and minimal ingredients, these date balls come together in minutes, making them perfect for busy individuals seeking a fast, wholesome treat without complicated cooking techniques.
  • Versatile Snacking Solution: Whether you need a pre-workout boost, afternoon pick-me-up, or guilt-free dessert, these brownie-inspired bites adapt to any moment, storing easily in the fridge or freezer for convenient enjoyment anytime.

What You’ll Need to Make These No-Bake Chocolate Bites

Nuts and Base:
  • Walnuts, Medjool Dates: Provide rich, nutty foundation with natural sweetness and creamy texture for the brownie balls.
Moisture and Binding Ingredients:
  • Pumpkin Purée: Adds moisture, helps bind ingredients, and contributes to smooth, soft texture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet aromatic notes.
Flavor and Seasoning:
  • Cocoa Powder: Delivers deep chocolate intensity; Dutch process offers smoother, less acidic chocolate flavor.
  • Sea Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies the chocolate and nutty undertones.
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Chocolate Brownie Date Balls Recipe

Chocolate Brownie Date Balls Recipe


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4.8 from 14 reviews

  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 10 1x

Description

Chocolate brownie date balls bring rich Mediterranean sweetness into perfect bite-sized treats. Packed with natural energy and indulgent chocolate, these no-bake delights offer you a guilt-free snack that satisfies chocolate cravings with wholesome ingredients.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 10 pitted Medjool dates
  • 0.75 cups (2.6 ounces) walnuts

Chocolate and Flavor Enhancers:

  • 0.25 cups unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch process recommended)
  • 0.5 teaspoons vanilla extract

Additional Ingredients:

  • 0.25 cups canned or homemade pumpkin purée
  • 1 pinch sea salt

Instructions

  1. Pulverize a portion of walnuts in a food processor until they resemble fine, sandy granules. Transfer the ground nuts to a separate container, reserving them for the final coating stage.
  2. Return the remaining walnuts to the food processor and grind them into a fine powder, creating a nutty base for the mixture.
  3. Introduce Medjool dates, pumpkin purée, cocoa powder, sea salt, and vanilla extract into the processor with the ground walnuts. Blend until the ingredients form a cohesive, sticky composition that holds together when pressed.
  4. Gently manipulate the mixture, using either a spoon or clean hands, to craft approximately 8 uniform spheres roughly the size of golf balls.
  5. Carefully roll each ball through the previously prepared ground walnut mixture, ensuring an even, delicate coating that adds textural contrast and nutty depth.
  6. For optimal enjoyment, serve the chocolate brownie date balls immediately. Alternatively, preserve their freshness by storing in the refrigerator for up to a week or freezing for extended preservation.
  7. Pro tip: If using standard dates instead of Medjool, briefly soak them in warm water to enhance softness and improve blending consistency.
  8. Consider toasting the walnuts before grinding to elevate the coating’s flavor profile, introducing a rich, more complex nutty essence to the final treat.

Notes

  • Bursting with decadent chocolate flavor, these date balls transform simple ingredients into a guilt-free indulgence.
  • Medjool dates provide natural sweetness while walnuts deliver a rich, nutty crunch that elevates the entire treat.
  • Easily prepared in under 15 minutes, these energy-packed bites offer a healthy alternative to traditional brownies without sacrificing taste.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 10
  • Calories: 136
  • Sugar: 9 g
  • Sodium: 5 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 15 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
Isabella Rossi

Isabella Rossi

Founder & Culinary Content Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development​, Traditional Irish and European Cuisines, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education​

Education

Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) – School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology

  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development.​

Ballymaloe Cookery School

  • Program: 12-Week Certificate Course
  • Focus: Intensive, hands-on experience emphasizing farm-to-table cooking and sustainable practices.​

Liam is the voice behind many of Craft Meats’ most flavorful features. With roots in Dublin’s smoky barbecue scene and a culinary degree from the Dublin Institute of Technology, he brings time-tested cooking techniques to life. 

His training at Ballymaloe Cookery School sharpened his farm-to-table approach, giving him a deep respect for every ingredient he writes about.

He’s not about overcomplicating the process, just helping you cook meat that’s worth talking about. When he’s not writing or grilling, he’s out foraging or nerding out on regional spice blends to add to his next recipe.

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