These Chocolate Date Balls are perfect when you need that sweet chocolate fix. Made with Medjool dates, pumpkin, and cocoa powder they’re rich, sweet, and offer a great afternoon energy boost. No-bake and easy to prepare!
Ingredients
- ▢3/4 cup walnuts, 2.6 oz total
- ▢10 pitted Medjool dates
- ▢¼ cup canned or homemade pumpkin purée
- ▢Pinch sea salt
- ▢1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, I used Dutch process
- ▢½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place 1/3 cup of the walnuts in a food processor fitted with a metal blade.
- Process until nuts resemble coarse sand. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.
- Add remaining walnuts to the food processor and process until finely ground.
- Add the dates, pumpkin purée, cocoa powder, salt and vanilla extract and continue to process until ingredients are combined and smooth.
- Using a spoon (or your hands), scoop and roll mixture into 8 equal (golf-ball- size) balls.
- Roll each ball in the reserved walnuts and serve immediately or store in the freezer or the fridge.
Notes
Variations:
- Nuts: Swap the walnuts with pecans or almonds.
- Nut Allergies: If you have a nut allergy, you can use hemp seeds or pumpkin seeds.
- Pumpkin: Swap for mashed banana or other fruit puree.
- Dates: Substitute regular dates, but add a few more since they’re smaller than Medjool. Or use prunes instead.
- Cocoa Powder: Sub protein powder for cocoa for extra protein.
- Coconut: Add shredded coconut to the dough.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 ball, Calories: 153 kcal, Carbohydrates: 26 g, Protein: 2.5 g, Fat: 6.5 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Sodium: 1.5 mg, Fiber: 4 g, Sugar: 20.5 g
WW points – 5
Yield: 8 servings
Serving Size: 1 ball