Cocoa Date Almond Bites
In short: Soft dates, almonds and cocoa blended into fudgy, bite-size balls. Vegan, gluten-free and sweetened only by fruit, they are ready in about 35 minutes. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 9 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Resting
- 20 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 9
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 165 kcal
Dates are sticky enough to bind a snack without any added sugar, and cocoa turns them into something close to a soft chocolate truffle. Almonds add chew and a little protein, and a spoonful of coconut oil keeps the dough smooth and easy to roll. Everything goes through a food processor, so the batch takes about 15 minutes. Pack two or three into a lunchbox, or keep them in the fridge for the afternoon slump.
Instructions
- If the dates feel dry or stiff, soak them in hot water for 10 minutes, then drain and pat them dry.
- Pulse the almonds in a food processor for about 20 seconds, until they look like coarse crumbs.
- Add the dates, cocoa, coconut oil, vanilla and salt. Process for 1 to 2 minutes, scraping down the sides once or twice, until the mixture clumps into a sticky dough.
- Pinch a little dough between your fingers. If it does not hold, add water 1 teaspoon at a time and process again.
- Roll level tablespoons of dough into balls with slightly damp hands, then roll each ball in the shredded coconut.
- Chill for 20 minutes before serving or packing.
Tips
- Hazelnuts give a chocolate-hazelnut flavor in place of the almonds. For a mocha version, add 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder with the cocoa.
- For a nut-free batch, use the same weight of raw sunflower seeds. Process them a little longer so they break down fully.
Questions and answers
Are cocoa date bites healthy?
They are made of whole foods with no added sugar, but dates are concentrated in natural sugar. Two bites make a sensible portion with fiber, protein and healthy fats.
How long do date balls last?
Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw for 10 minutes before eating.
Why is my date mixture too sticky to roll?
Chill the dough for 15 minutes, or work in 1 tablespoon of extra cocoa or ground almonds. Rolling with slightly damp hands also stops the dough from clinging.
How long does it take to make Cocoa Date Almond Bites?
About 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Cocoa Date Almond Bites?
About 165 kcal per serving, with 3 g of protein, 21 g of carbohydrates and 9 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 165 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 21 g |
| Fat | 9 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 15 g |
| Sodium | 65 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
